October birding update

Rufous-bellied heron at Nsombiza pan, Eastern shores

There has been a big shift change this month with most of the winter migrants leaving and being replaced by summer migrants. Intra-African migrants such as African pygmy-kingfisher, Broad-billed roller, Blue-cheeked bee-eater as well as Eurasian migrants such as Barn swallow and Common buzzard are back.
 
On warm days following rain there have been some termite alate emergences attracting a wide assortment of birds. Unfortunately, once the Yellow-billed kites discover them (which isn’t long normally) they tend to monopolize. This is a spectacle in itself though with sometimes 20 or more swooping in great agility to catch the alates.
 
The tern roost at the estuary ‘mouth’ area still consists predominantly of Swift terns which are now joined by small numbers of Little tern. Other species present at the Estuary mouth/beach area in recent weeks include Grey plover, Common sandpiper, Sanderling, White-fronted plover, Common whimbrel and Pied avocet. Western  osprey and Palm-nut vulture have also been seen a couple of times at the same area in recent weeks.
 
The Rufous-bellied heron has been fairly consistent at Nsombiza pan and Amazibu hide on the Eastern shores of Isimangaliso whilst other wetland species regularly encountered at Wetlands  include White-backed duck, White-faced whistling duck, Spur-winged goose, Intermediate egret, Great white egret, African jacana, Little grebe, Marsh sandpiper, Collared pratincole, Rufous-winged cisticola, Wood sandpiper and Black crake.
 
The grasslands in the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park are full of activity too. Red-breasted swallow can be seen perched at the roadside in close vicinity to culverts (where they nest), Fantailed widowbird males are everywhere, Croaking, Zitting and Rattling cisticolas as well as Neddicky are calling incessantly and the ‘trill-tree-ooo’ call of the Rufous-naped lark can be heard virtually everywhere.
 
Raptor viewing has been superb as usual, with Brown, Black-chested and Southern-banded snake eagle showing consistently, along with African marsh harrier, African cuckoo-hawk, Black-shouldered kite, African crowned eagle, Martial eagle, African Harrier-hawk, African Goshawk, Little sparrowhawk and African Fish-eagle.
 
Forest birding has been fantastic. The action has been happening at fruiting Ficus natalensis and Ficus lutea trees which are attracting impressive multi-species ‘bird parties’. Narina Trogon, Eastern nicator and Green malkoha have been very vocal and thus easier to find. It has also been a privilege to watch a Woodward’s batis nest from incubation stage to the feeding of chicks stage (happening currently). It has been amazing to witness the wide variety of invertebrates fed to the chicks including caterpillars, katydids, moths, spiders, beetles etc. The chicks’ stomachs are an absolute bottomless pit and they seemingly never stop eating!  On rainy days and dusk, the Buff-spotted flufftails can be heard calling in the forest!
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Lastly, we have had great sightings of Swamp nightjar, Fiery-necked nightjar, African Wood-owl and Barn owl during the month too. 

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Woodward's batis female feeding chicks, St Lucia.