Tag Archives: wildlife

Bird Watching at Mokala

Mokala National Park owes its diversity of bird species both to its location at the transition between South Africa’s arid west and wetter eastern regions, as well as the diversity of habitats protected within its borders. To date, more than 200 species of birds have been recorded within this relatively new Park and we, not considering ourselves very proficient birders (yet) managed to tick a respectable 70 of those. These are just a few of the feathered friends we made at Mokala during our visit in April 2018.

Ant-eating Chat

Ashy Tit

Black-faced Waxbill

Blacksmith Lapwings protecting their eggs against two wildebeest

Black-throated Canary

Black-winged Stilts

Brown-throated Martin

Brubru

Buffy Pipit

Burchell’s Sandgrouse (male)

Cape Sparrow female

Double-banded Courser

Crowned Lapwing

Egyptian Goose chasing South African Shelduck

South African Shelduck (male)

Familiar Chat

Fiscal Flycatcher

Cape Glossy Starling

Shy Golden-tailed Woodpecker

Grey-backed Sparrow Lark (male and chick)

Helmeted Guineafowl in flight

Kalahari Scrub Robin

Marico Flycatcher

Mountain Wheatear (male)

Namaqua Dove (male)

Ostrich female

Ostrich male

Pale Chanting Goshawk

Pied Crow

Red-billed Firefinch

Red-crested Korhaan

Red-headed Finch (male)

Sabota Lark

Scaly-feathered Finch

Common Scimitarbill

Southern Masked Weaver (female)

Sociable Weaver

Sociable Weaver nest

White-browed Sparrow Weaver

Spike-heeled Lark

African Spoonbill

Three-banded Plover

Cape Wagtail

White-backed Vulture W428

Yellow-billed Hornbill

Yellow Canary (Male)

If you’d like to learn more about Mokala National Park, why not have a read through the detailed post we did about the Park in 2016.

Mokala’s Pale Zebras

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When the last Quagga mare died in Amsterdam Zoo in 1883, it was thought that this uniquely South African species of zebra was hunted into extinction, never to be seen again. Where once thousands of Quaggas, with their striped forequarters and brown backs and buttocks roamed the Karoo their distinct “kwa-ha-ha” calls would never be heard again. Over a century later however it was realised, through DNA analysis, that the Quagga was a localised race of the still extant Plains Zebra, and the Quagga Project came into being to try and bring them back through selective breeding. With each subsequent generation showing more and more Quagga-like characteristics, one day we may again see true-to-form Quaggas roaming their native country in vast numbers.

The area in which Mokala National Park is located would have been populated by zebras that were intermediate in appearance between the Quaggas and more “traditionally” patterned Plains Zebras, and thus when the Park was proclaimed it was decided to specifically stock it with zebras that had a lesser degree of striping, especially on their backs and haunches. These pale-rumped zebras are certainly an endearing feature of the Park.

Pale-rumped Plains Zebra foal in Mokala National Park

Some plains zebras in Mokala National Park still don the more “traditional” look.

Pale-rumped Plains Zebra foal in Mokala National Park

Pale-rumped Plains Zebra in Mokala National Park

Pale-rumped Plains Zebra foal in Mokala National Park

Pale-rumped Plains Zebra in Mokala National Park

Plains Zebras at Mokala National Park, April 2018

If you’d like to learn more about Mokala National Park, why not have a read through the detailed post we did about the Park in 2016.

How Vulture W428 is helping to conserve its species

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On arriving at Haak-en-Steek Cottage at Mokala National Park on the 27th of April 2018, we found this young White-backed Vulture waiting to welcome us. Thanks to the tag fitted conspicuously on the wing it was easy to identify him / her as “Vulture W428”, and of course we wanted to find out more about this bird.

Mokala’s Park Manager put us in contact with Angus Anthony of the EWT’s Vulture Monitoring Project, thanks to whom we learned that Vulture W428 is one of 56 chicks that were tagged on their nests on Dronfield, a farm just north of the city of Kimberley in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, in October 2017. Once they become independent, these juvenile White-backed Vultures may roam very widely – even as far afield as Angola! Obviously Vulture W428 is a little less adventurous and likes staying closer to home. This may be because there’s a vulture feeding station on Dronfield, where there’s presently a growing population of about 100 breeding pairs of White-backed Vultures.

Research projects like these are invaluable in protecting South Africa’s dwindling vulture populations. Reporting sightings of tagged birds allow researchers to follow their movement and breeding patterns, glean information about their behaviour (do they mate for life, do pairs return to the same nest annually, etc) and calculate their life expectancy. Thanks to the tags it could be established for instance that young vultures return from their explorations to breed at Dronfield when they’re 4 to 5 years old, but then the question is whether the same holds true for other breeding colonies? This is vital information, considering that the IUCN recently reclassified the White-backed Vulture as Critically Endangered due to a rapid and enormous decline in their populations.

If you are lucky to see one of these tagged vultures while travelling through South Africa (or one of our neighbouring countries), please do share that information with the EWT – what may seem like a little piece of information may be vital to their continued survival. The kind of information the researchers are hoping for include the location (gps co-ordinates would be handy), date and time of the sighting, the colour and code of the tag, comments about the bird’s behaviour at the time (feeding, roosting, nesting, flying, solitary or with other vultures, etc), if possible the species and whether it is an adult or juvenile, and of course your own contact details in case they have follow-up questions.

This is a fantastic way to contribute to the protection of our natural heritage!

If you’d like to learn more about Mokala National Park, why not have a read through the detailed post we did about the Park in 2016.

Mokala’s multitude of Springbok

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The Springbok is by far the most commonly encountered large mammal in Mokala National Park – during our four day stay in April 2018 we had over 200 springbok sightings ranging from solitary rams to enormous herds. Thankfully they are such beautiful animals that one could never tire of them, and the sprinkling of black and copper coated individuals made for fascinating comparisons with the more standard liveried animals.

Copper Springbok

Copper and normal coloured Springbok

Copper Springbok ram

Springbok

Copper Springbok ram

Springbok ewes

Springbok showing off

Springbok herd

Springbok bachelor rams

Copper Springbok ram

Springbok ewe

Springbok rams sparring

Black Springbok

Copper Springbok ram

Springbok ram

Copper Springbok lamb

Black Springbok

Copper Springbok lamb

Our most exhilarating encounter with Mokala’s Springbok was with these two mature rams contesting for ownership of a prime territory right in the middle of the road!

Springbok rams contesting a territory in Mokala National Park

If you’d like to learn more about Mokala National Park, why not have a read through the detailed post we did about the Park in 2016.

Muddy fun at Dries se Gat

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“Dries se Gat” is one of our favourite waterholes in Mokala National Park, not only because I share a name with it but also because there always seem to be something interesting happening there.

During our latest visit to Mokala we arrived at the waterhole just as a big herd of 100+ buffaloes were making their way to the water, and could spend quite a bit of time watching the animals interact with each other while slaking their thirst and enjoying a mud bath.

Buffalo Wallow at Dries se Gat, Mokala National Park

If you’d like to learn more about Mokala National Park, why not have a read through the detailed post we did about the Park in 2016.

Back from another taste of Mokala Magic

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We’ve just returned home after spending a four-night weekend at beautiful Mokala National Park in the Northern Cape. We had a lovely time and of course we have lots to share with you in the coming days – Here’s just a little teaser!

Scenery at Mokala National Park, April 2018

Springbok and eland at Mokala National Park, April 2018

Gemsbok at Mokala National Park, April 2018

Scenery at Mokala National Park, April 2018

Plains Zebras at Mokala National Park, April 2018

If you’d like to learn more about Mokala National Park, why not have a read through the detailed post we did about the Park in 2016.

Speckled Mousebird

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MousebirdColius striatus

Mousebirds are a uniquely African order of six species, named for their habit of clambering around the branches of trees and shrubs in a very rodent-like manner. Speckled Mousebirds, both the largest and the most widely distributed of the family, inhabits thickets, moist savannas, woodlands and forests, and particularly the edges of these, as well as well-wooded drainage lines, exotic plantations and suburban parks and gardens in otherwise unsuitable areas (such as the grasslands of our Highveld). They feed on fruit, berries, seeds, leaves, buds, flowers and nectar. Adults are around 35cm long (their tail making up roughly half of this) and weigh about 55g.

Speckled Mousebirds congregate in small flocks of 5 to 20 birds, moving around from tree to tree one after the other, and often in association with other kinds of mousebirds. Breeding in Speckled Mousebirds have been recorded throughout the year, with a peak in spring and summer. Nests are untidy cups of grass lined with fine material built in trees or shrubs. Clutches of 1 to 7 eggs are incubated by both parents for a period of two weeks. Some males may have active nests with more than one female. Chicks start leaving the nest to clamber around the branches when they’re about 10 days old, and become independent at only three weeks of age. Breeding pairs may have as many as 6 helpers assisting to raise their latest brood.

The IUCN describes the Speckled Mousebird as common and widespread with an increasing population and distribution, listing it as being of least concern. They occur from Cameroon in the west to Ethiopia in the east and then southwards to South Africa, being absent from the equatorial forests and arid south-west of the continent. In South Africa they can be found in all our provinces, excluding the driest parts of the Free State, Northern Cape and North West Province.

Speckled mousebird

Speckled Mousebird

Speckled Mousebird raiding apricots

Speckled Mousebird

Speckled mousebird

Speckled Mousebird

Speckled Mousebirds in a bare tree

Speckled Mousebird

Speckled Mousebirds

Speckled Mousebird

Speckled Mousebird at Jack’s Picnic Spot

Speckled Mousebird

Speckled Mousebird sharing on the spoils of a monkey raid

Speckled Mousebird

Speckled Mousebirds

Speckled Mousebird

Speckled Mousebirds

Speckled Mousebird

Southern Tree Agama

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Acanthocercus atricollis atricollis

As their name would suggest, the Southern Tree Agama is a mainly arboreal lizard, coming to ground only to move from one tree to another and to feed on ground-living insects. They inhabit open savanna landscapes, especially those dominated by thorn and miombo (Brachystegia) trees, and feed on ants, termites, caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles and other invertebrates. Adults grow to between 12 and 15cm long, excluding the tail. Breeding males are very colourful and not nearly as well camouflaged as the females, non-breeding males and young.

Southern Tree Agamas are diurnal, sleeping at night in hollow trunks or under loose bark. Males are territorial and will fight each other viciously. Their breeding season spans spring and summer, when females dig a hole in moist soil in which they lay between 5 and 14 eggs that hatch in about 3 months.

The Southern Tree Agama occurs patchily from eastern Africa southwards to South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. The IUCN considers this species of least concern. In South Africa they are commonly encountered in the provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and nothern Kwazulu-Natal. They are very tolerant of humans and is a common sight in the rest camps of the Kruger National Park.

Female Tree Agama

Well camouflaged agama

Well camouflaged Agama

Notice the ant on this agama’s leg?

Expertly camouflaged tree agama

Tree living agama lizard

Tree Agama in Crocodile Bridge

Tree Agama

Tree Agama female

Tree Agama (female)

Tree Agama

Tree Agama female

Tree Agama male with beetle prey

Tree Agama males displaying

Tree Agama male (photo by Erlo van Aswegen)

Tree Agama female

Southern Tree Agama (photo by Joubert)

Tree Agama female

Male Tree Agama

Female Tree Agama

Red-eyed Dove

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Streptopelia semitorquata

The Red-eyed Dove is a denizen of well wooded habitats (both naturally occurring and plantations), and is quite closely associated with watercourses. They are also a well-known garden bird in many of our towns and cities and have actually enlarged their distribution range in association with human settlements. They feed primarily on seeds but also takes some fruits, flowers and insects. Adults of these large doves weigh around 250g and grow to 35cm in length.

Unlike many other species of pigeons, Red-eyed Doves are not particularly gregarious and are usually seen singly or in pairs, with larger congregations of 50 to 100 birds being very rare. Pairs are monogamous and breed throughout the year. Their nests are flimsy stick platforms built in tall trees or reedbeds, and clutches usually consist of 2 eggs that are incubated for 2 weeks. The chicks leave the nest when they are around 3 weeks old.

The Red-eyed Dove occurs over most of sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the drier desert and semi-desert areas. In South Africa they are found in every province, avoiding only the driest districts of the Northern Cape. It is considered of least concern by the IUCN.

Red-eyed Dove

Red-eyed Dove with Laughing Dove, showing size difference

Red-eyed Dove

Red-eyed Dove seen along the Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk

Red-eyed Dove

Red-eyed Dove (photo by Joubert)

Red-eyed Dove

Karoo Thrush

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Turdus smithi

The Karoo Thrush inhabits arid scrublands and grasslands, preferring the denser vegetation along drainage lines in these otherwise open areas. They’re also one of the most common garden birds all over their range, a fact that has aided an increase in both their range and population. Karoo Thrushes are usually seen singly or in pairs and follow an omnivorous diet, searching on the ground and scrounging through leaf litter for insects, worms, other invertebrates, small vertebrates and fruits and seeds. Adults are about 23cm long and weigh up to 86g.

At the start of the breeding season, which stretches through spring and summer, female Karoo Thrushes build cup-shaped nests of wet grass and other plant material in the forks of trees. They incubate clutches of 1-4 eggs for about two weeks, with the chicks becoming independent about 2-and-a-half months after hatching.

The Karoo Thrush occurs mainly in the central and western parts of South Africa, extending marginally into Lesotho, Botswana and Namibia. The IUCN considers it to be of least concern. It was previously classified as a subspecies of the Olive Thrush, which is generally found in forests.