In search of the Scotopelia peli and other Phantoms*

[Duke]

After Ongeye we headed back to Mtunzini and did a walk through the Raphia Palm Monument. These palms were not originally in Mtunzini but brought from Kosi Bay about 100 years ago. Looks like the Palm Nut Vultures found them



We got a juvenile Palm Nut Vulture but it flew off



Back at the Forest Lodge a Purple Crested Turaco entertianed us, The PCT was in a tree next to our balcony







The Next morning we met with Sakhazumi at 6.00am and headed for the Dlinza Forest in Eshowe. Probably best known for providing birders with the opportunity to view the Spotted Ground-Thrush, the forest also offers Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Green Malkoha, Olive Woodpecker and Green Twinspot and Green Malkoha. Other species such as African Crowned Eagle, Narina Trogon, Trumpeter Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Chorister Robin-Chat, Terrestrial Brownbul and Lemon Dove are also seen.

The forest has two trials and a beautiful boardwalk



The boardwalk leads to a viewing platform right above the canopy

[Duke]

Off the specials in Dlinza Forest we saw the green malkoha but could not get a photo. Sakhamuzi located the bird by its call and we tracked the source of the sound and found it but it flew off before we could get a photo. We also saw the green twinspot, a pretty little bird but it runs around the forest floor. Picture a rodent running on the forest floor. We followed one for about 5 minutes but it scurried around too quickly. Also a brief sighting of a Crowned Eagle as it flew across a break in the trees. Did not even get to hear a Narina Trogan. Sakhamuzi found a Eastern Bronze naped Pigeon but it flew off beofre Sharifa and I could see it.

The trail


The Eastern Spotted Ground Thrush is another one that runs around on the forest floor and it is so well camouflaged but we did get a picture or two and many blurds




Choriste Robin Chat


Lemon Dove - we got two of them




The Tokos






Brown Hooded Kingfisher near Reception

[Duke]

We are now in iMfolozi and on our way to Mpila Camp.

Our first animal is an impala


We had seen a sign warning us about potholes


Giraffe with background of iMfolozi Vista


Our base for the next 2 days - Chalet Number 4






iMfolozi Sunset

[Duke]

Thanks Tina

For the iMfolozi part of our trip I will report sightings instead of a day by day report.

The Lioness and the Rhinos

On the Sontuli Loop we saw 10 white rhinos and a calf. Saw a crash of 7 in Kruger so 10 was






Sitting just round the bend eyeing the rhinos






We thought she is round the bend, I mean she cannot be serious




We reversed to get a better view then we saw that she was really interested in the impala


But they soon got wind of her and were gone

[Duke]

Thanks Mel, Tina. Lisbeth, Toko, nan, Flutts and BC

Some Raptors

Verreaux's Eagle taking off






This White Headed Vulture was far from the road and we were about what bird has a yellow patch on the wing We then saw that it was tagged




Tawny building a nest




African Goshawk

[Duke]

The Rhino and the White Fronted Bee-eater

We stopped to look at this rhino in the shade of the tree. It was the heat of the day and the rhino did not look like it was going to move for anything


Thanks to the rhino we noticed a number of WFB


And one of them caught and ate lunch










safely down the hatchet

[Duke]

nan, BC, Tina, Flutts

We found ourselves at the Bekapanzi Pan (point 13 on the map), a get out view point. There were 2 lionesses and a young male on one side of the river bed





Buffalos on the other side


And a rhino ambled up the bank towards us which had us all quickly in our cars


The lionesses were interested in a lone impala which was drinking water and one gave chase but was not successful

[Duke]

Thanks Kesheshe, Tina and Flutts

Get ready for Cape Vidal

[Duke]

Cape Vidal is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly known as Lake St. Lucia) and is a World Heritage Site. Cape Vidal is the main coastal resort and there are camps to the west bordering the lake. St Lucia Town is the entry point to this section of the reserve and it is about 30km from the gate to Cape Vidal Camp. We found the drive on the main road to the camp, the Amazibu Pan and the Amazibu Hide to be very good.

To set the scene, sightings on the main road Enjoy the wonderful colours of iSimangaliso

Blue Cheeked bee-eaters










Scarlet Chested Sunbird








Little bee-eater

[Duke]

No lions yet but sure they will be coming soon. They have stopped some of the self guided trails (in uMkhuze too). There is a gate at Cape Vida Rest Camp to control entry, exit times but no proper fence. The hides are some distance from the hide parking area and the pathway is unfenced so you have to be careful. You do get signs like:



and spoor of the animals you have to look out for on the pathways leading to the hide