This post introduces two new bird categories – Cuckoos and Starlings

Cuckoos

Many of this bird species are secretive and not often seen. They are generally parasitic breeders and many migrate north in winter. They vary enormously in size and colour.

I have found these birds quite difficult to photograph as they are very wary and fly off if you get closer than about 30 metres.

Often Cuckoos will be heard before they are seen and when seen are often perched in thick bushes.

I had been waiting for ages to get a reasonable shot of a Diederik Cuckoo and finally on my last trip in Mashatu I got this hot below. Again, we could not get close enough and the perch did not offer a clean shot, but I will take what I am offered when I am offered it.

I would love to get a good shot of a Klaas’s Cuckoo which is also a beautiful emerald green – striking colouration in the sun. I have seen a few but never been able to get a decent shot of one. I will keep searching!

The Red-chested Cuckoo with the distinctive  ‘Piet my vrou” call is heard so often but I just never see them. One birder suggested they often sit close to the tree trunk rather than at the end of the branch. I cannot confirm this as I haven’t seen one yet.

This is one category of birds that I will have to keep trying to get better shots of – refinement needed.

The second  new category of birds are the Starlings

Starlings

Many of these birds are a glossy blue in colour, but not all. Starlings are smaller than the bigger Cuckoos but bigger than thrushes. Most Starlings are not nearly as secretive as many Cuckoos. Most Starlings are striking in colour from the gorgeous Plum Coloured Starling, now called the Violet-backed Starling to the Glossys to the more bizarre Wattled Starling.

There are many long-tailed Starlings in Mashatu and are usually seen in pairs or small groups unlike Glossy Starlings which can be found in large groups thronging the picnic and camp sites in Kruger Park. Away from all of the people in a secluded fig tree along the beautiful Olifants river in Kruger, I saw this Plum Coloured Starling. I have not seen this bird more than twice. The colouring is absolutely magnificent.

In my last trip to Mashatu, I saw many flocks of Wattled Starlings, all chattering at the same time. They seem to enjoy following the Elephant as they foraged through the grass disturbing all the insects.

Wattled Starling males are unusual but certainly not beautiful. Besides sightings in Mashatu, we often see Wattled Starlings in Kruger Park too.

I added the Hoopoe and Wood-Hoopoe category a few days ago and also added to the Cheetah, Lion and Elephant shots taken on my recent trip to Mashatu, in south eastern Botswana.

I hope you enjoy the additions – more to come next week.

RHINO POACHING – latest statistics as at 3 Apr 13

http://www.uniteagainstpoaching.co.za/index.php/statistics

While the international efforts to combat the scourge of rhino poaching is increasing, the number of rhino poached in South Africa so far this year has increased to 203.

Poaching
	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013
KNP	36	50	146	229	425	145
MNP	0	0	0	6	3
GP	0	7	15	9	1
LIM	23	16	52	74	59	13
MP	2	6	17	31	28	10
NW	7	10	57	21	77	18
EC	1	3	4	11	7
FS	0	2	3	4	0
KZN	14	28	38	34	66	17
WC	0	0	0	6	2
NC	0	0	1	0	0
Total	83	122	333	448	668	203

Data from Environmental Affairs as at 3 April 2013

Hopefully, if nothing else comes out of the latest BRIC meeting in South Africa the MoU will slow the killing rate.

We have a lot worth preserving in South Africa, but the wildlife, birds and habitat seems to be coming off second best.

Knowledge, awareness and appreciation can help us see that our ‘glass is not half full but bountiful’. IT WILL NOT STAY THAT WAY IF WE CARRY ON THE WAY WE ARE GOING – INTER-GENERATIONAL FAIRNESS – WHAT WE WILL LEAVE OUR CHILDREN???!!!

Our natural beauty is all around us – just stop for a minute and look and listen!!

Have fun

Mike