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Bushveld birding can be a very involved and complicated business, or very simple!
However it can also be very rewarding once one makes the effort and gets over the apparent inferiority of birds vs the Big Five mammals.
There will always be a bird nearby in the bush, regardless of time of day or location, which is a major plus point. Also, there are hundreds and hundreds of species that may appear at a moment's notice, so the surprise factor is high for the keen observer.
It is impossible to give a full description of the activity in a few pages, but there are definitely a few basic elements that can be taken into account should one wish to optimise spending some time on birds.
Water
This is a big attraction for virtually all birds, especially in the dry months from April to October. Most drink daily, but also rely on water for bathing whenever possible. Of course some species rely on water sources for their food as well! In other words, while a waterpoint may be good for waiting for animals, there will be a steady stream of birds that will also enable one to while away the hours productively.
However, the bird kingdom is so diverse that different species approach water in different ways, obviously. Therefore waders, swimmers and raptors would prefer the larger stretches of water in dams and rivers, while the more numerous smaller types prefer much smaller pools, ponds and puddles. In my experience the best median size for a body of water would be a natural pan or river pool about the size of a small swimming pool. This caters for a wide variety and can enable one to get quite close to the action, so to speak.
However, even a small bird bath can provide endless entertainment in a camp or picnic spot and you don't even have to move from your verandah or campsite!
To be continued.
Tips on Bushveld Bird Spotting
- Richprins
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Tips on Bushveld Bird Spotting
Last edited by Richprins on Wed Jan 01, 2020 9:20 am, edited 5 times in total.
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- Richprins
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Re: Tips on Bird Spotting
What do others think?
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- Peter Betts
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Re: Tips on Bushveld Bird Spotting
Know Habitats of target birds and go there ..Early in the morning is best ..In Camp midday etc is good as there are bait bird baths to catch them drinking in the heat of the day ..This time of the year is nesting time a walk around the inner circles at say Shingwedzi with all the Mopani trees ..look for holes and wait ..Soon the Woodpeckers , Woodland Kingfishers and Violet Backed Starlings will be there for all to see and the red Headed weavers are all over camp building nests not to mention the parasite Cuckoos
- Richprins
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Re: Tips on Bushveld Bird Spotting
Peter!
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- Lisbeth
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Re: Tips on Bushveld Bird Spotting
RP, you have been converted into a birder
If it were not for the birds, some days in park would be rather boring. One simply has to love them and not only for their pretty colours, but also for their diverse behaviour and there is an enormous variety of our feathered friends to watch
If it were not for the birds, some days in park would be rather boring. One simply has to love them and not only for their pretty colours, but also for their diverse behaviour and there is an enormous variety of our feathered friends to watch
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
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Re: Tips on Bushveld Bird Spotting
Best birding is wherever you can leave the vehicle and walk around: camps and trails in camp such as Berg en Dal or Punda, look out points, picnic spots. River loops are also good and of course bird hides.
If you want to see more than the 20 odd common species, learn about birds, their habitat, diet, breeding etc and learn bird calls.
- Richprins
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Re: Tips on Bushveld Bird Spotting
Sometimes there are no aminals to watch!
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- Lisbeth
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Re: Tips on Bushveld Bird Spotting
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
- Lisbeth
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Re: Tips on Bushveld Bird Spotting
Sociable Weavers
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge