Another special outing which spins off from
the Pretoria Conservation Challenge was organised on Thuesday
11 February 2003. Despite being a week-day, 14 people took part
in this early visit to Mkhombo Dam, to search for a Great Snipe
which was recently suspected from this locality. No Great Snipe
was located, however a hugely successful outing was had by the
team, which divided into two to cover the Elands "Delta"
from two different angles. Highlights included excellent views
of Allen's Gallinule, an assortment of Heron's waders and Yellow-billed
Storks, and huge flocks of all the typical inland waders. Blue-cheeked
Bee-eaters were resplendent in their stunning green.
"Common birds" of this habitat include Southern Pied Babbler, Many Quail called from the grasslands, and Common Quail and Harlequin Quail were both flushed while walking on the plains.
Warbler searching was very successful with European Sedge, African Marsh, European Marsh, African Sedge, Willow, Icterine, Olive Tree, Great Reed and Common White-throat all being recorded. Views were obtained of Common Whitethroat, Olive-tree Warbler and European Marsh Warbler, amongst others.
Aerial feeders were out in force and among others the following were identified: European (Common) Swift, House Martin and European Sand Martin and a host of others.
The Southern team had a Wahlberg's Eagle harrying a Martial, and recorded a host of bushveld birds while looking for Warblers, and also obtained views of a Small Button-quail on the ground. The Northern team went walking in likely looking grasslands and flushed a CORNCRAKE!
Mkhombo is turning out to be a very exciting birding spot this year, and will no doubt keep producing specials as we head into late summer and water and grass levels drop. Mkhombo is about 90km NE of Pretoria, and can at present only be visited by arrangement.
Pretoria Bird Club outings visit the area regularly (BirdLife members only), but the Conseration Challenge organising committee will be organising regular trips like this one, to which active participants in the Pretoria Conservation Challenge will be invited.