The Malmossies team of Gauteng, made up of myself, Greg Lock, Jonathan
Boucher and Pauline Leinberger,  were this year out to beat our previous
best score on our route, which basically takes in the different habitats to
the north-east and north of Pretoria.  After the disappointing BBD weather
of previous years Saturday dawned cool and overcast and remained that way
until about midday when it started to get warmer and the sun shone
brightly.  There was no rain around that we could see and the conditions
were perfect for an excellent BBD.

We managed 231 species, reaching our goal of 230 late on Saturday evening
when a Spotted Dikkop and a White-faced Owl pushed us past our total.
Highlights during the day included Yellow Wagtail, African Marsh Harrier,
Montagu's Harrier, Giant Eagle Owl, Alpine Swift, (Eastern) Long-billed
Lark, and Short-toed Rock Thrush, all species that you cannot take for
granted in our area.  One of the best moments of the day was coming across
a magnificent White Stork standing next to a puddle in the road, which just
looked at us in surprise before lazily flying off.  Then there are the ones
you miss..... how we managed not to find a Lilac-breasted Roller after
spending several hours in the bushveld I will never know, but by all
accounts it seems there are few around at the moment in this part of the
country.  All in all, a great day.


Andre Marx

Team Reports Available:

• The Malmossies - by Andre Marx
• Raiders of the Lost Lark - by Pete Irons
• Bosveld Bokmakieries deur Stephan Terblanche
• WITVLERKFLAPPE by Rihann Geyser