Lifers galore - A weekend in Dullstroom

A few months back I visited the grasslands of Dullstroom. This was going to be my first proper birding trip! On the way to Dullstroom I briefly spotted an Amur falcon perched on top of a telephone pole. This was very exciting and gave me a bit of a feeling for the next few days, although nothing can ever prepare you for a day in the field because no day of birding is ever the same. My next lifer a Double Collared Sunbird, came by at the entrance of the estate I was going to stay at for the next few days. It was a feeding on an Aloe flower. Unfortunately, it quickly flew off, and I didn’t see it again that day. I was very intrigued and took a quick hike up the mountain. The landscape was spectacular and I managed to find a couple of Buff-streaked Chats on the rocky slopes. I got lucky and managed to grab a few shots!

A Buff- streaked Chat perched upon a rock as they are usually seen.

A cold morning on the way to dullstroom. 

The next morning, we went out to Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve. I have been waiting for this day for months and finally I made it. All the possible species to find were floating in my head, and the anticipation started to build as the vast grasslands stretched out in front of me. It wasn’t long before I found the first lifer of the morning, a Jackal buzzard perched on top of a telephone pole.

I scanned every trout dam in search of ducks; this was because at the time I have not seen any other species of duck except for Yellow- Billed and African Black Duck. Unfortunately, I had no luck. Later that morning we went onto the tourist route. Around two kilometers further I saw a flash of emerald-green, and I immediately knew that it was a Malachite Sunbird. I quickly got some safety shots before I approached closer, making sure to stay concealed behind the long grass. Unfortunately, it flew off before I could get any more pictures.

A few hundred meters of driving further I noticed the calls of some type of francolin, although I could not quite recognize the exact species before it showed itself. Two francolins suddenly appeared in the sky and by quickly taking a glance at their chest feathers I confidently identified it as the Grey-winged Francolin. It was now around 9am and for some strange reason the birding started to slow down. We made our way up the rocky slope, the drive was slow and not a single bird in sight except for the occasional LBJ leaping from the grass, only to disappear right back. But suddenly three large birds flew up into the air and broke the silence! Not one, not two but three Denham’s Bustards appeared in front of me. Unlike most of the lifers I was able to photograph these before they descended into the valley below. A dream come true moment!

After this spectacular sighting the lifers started to come again. A Mountain Chat, and a couple of Cape Rock Thrushes surprised me. We stopped for lunch at the very top and enjoyed the silence, grasslands and occasional flower sticking out from the grass. The thing I was fascinated by the most was the large boulders covered with Lichens. The Lichens looked like flames spread across every part of the rocks. Here I managed to get one of my favourite bird pictures of the weekend, It was also a lifer for me, an Eastern Long-billed Lark perched upon a rock. Sadly, it was time to leave this beautiful place where time seems to slow down.

The way back was again very quiet, But I managed to find a Bokmakierie on a fence. This concluded the end of a very successful day in the field!

Fast forward to the next day, where I spent most of my time around the dams scanning for waterbirds along the reeds and watching the bushes for movement. I also spent a fair amount of time photographing reptiles and amphibians from the previous days; I also took a hike to the mountain in the estate to release them after I got photos. This day was very relaxed, and I didn’t find many lifers except for a few specials in the mountain. Later that afternoon we went up to the mountain. In the corner of my eye, I spotted a raptor but of course I was far away from the car so didn’t have my camera or binoculars. So unfortunately, this one is now named as the one that got away. After returning to the car, I heard two birds, but I couldn't quit recognise what they were. Until I suddenly saw one perched on a rock. I quickly grabbed a few shots. I reviewed the photos but this one left me stumped. I knew it was some kind of Pipit, but the exact species was a mystery. I spent some time in my bird book and figured out that this was a Nicholson’s Pipit. Another lifer for the list!

The next morning, we decided to head back to Verloren Vallei. This turned out to be a great decision because it gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the birds I previously couldn’t. I also had the chance to find some more birds I could add to the list. I spotted the Bokmakierie at the same location as the last time although this time it hid itself a lot better. As we drove, I scanned the grass for small birds and managed to get some nice pictures of mostly Levaillant's Cisticola, as well as a few other species. Although this morning was a bit quieter, I still managed to get great images and enjoy the beautiful landscape! Just as we turned back a Secretary Bird appeared out of nowhere and I quickly started taking shots. Luckily, I got a few nice pictures before it disappeared behind the hill.

This trip was one I will never forget, I managed to find a handful of lifers and enjoy every moment!