Trip reports

Johannesburg (South Africa) 2006

Jeremy Barker

Species seen:

Southern Ostrich Struthio camelus

at least 14 seen at Nylsvlei; the only birds that were not obviously paddocked.

Coqui Francolin Peliperdix coqui

at least 3 heard at Nylsvlei

Crested Francolin Peliperdix sephaena

Seen in numbers at Zaagkuildrift and Nylsvlei; a few also seen at Roodekoppiesdam

Grey-winged Francolin Scleroptila africanus

Two birds seen in Suikerbosrand, somewhat unusually feeding out in the open on recently-burned areas

Orange River Francolin Scleroptila levaillantoides

A covey in Suikerbosrand were the only birds seen

Natal Francolin Pternistis natalensis

Seen daily around Pilanesberg game park, as well as at Zaagkuilsdrift and Nylsvlei

Swainson's Spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii

Seen in numerous placesSuikerbosrand, Pilanesberg game park, Zaagkuilsdrift and even in the city centre, in Delta Park

Harlequin Quail Coturnix delegorguei

Heard at Nylsvlei

Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris

Common everywhere

Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor

Seen at both Marievale and Nylsvlei, though not in numbers at either site

White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata

Seen and heard at most wetland areas visited, common

White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus

Two seen at Nylsvlei were the only birds

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

Common and widespread

Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis

Seen in large numbers at Marievale and in the Rietpan area, again at Zaagkuilsdrift and Nylsvlei

Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos

One group of 23 feeding in fields on the return journey from the Roodekoppiesdam

Wood Duck Aix sponsa

Male seen on two occasions in Johannesburg zoo, keeping company with Yellow-billed Duck

African Black Duck Anas sparsa

Seen on two occasions inside Johannesburg zoo

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos

One male seen in Suikerbosrand, 18th September

Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata

Common and widespread

Cape Shoveler Anas smithii

Seven at Roodekoppiesdam and a handful at Marievale were the only ones seen

Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha

Seen at all the wetland sites

Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota

Several birds at Marievale were the only ones seen

Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma

A single during the return from Roodekoppiesdam and a quartet seen at Nylsvlei

Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor

One seen in Faerie Glen park, Pretoria; a second heard singing in Delta Park

Rufous-necked Wryneck Jynx ruficollis

Seen in Marievale and Suikerbosrand

Bennett's Woodpecker Campethera bennettii

Seen well in Nylsvlei

Golden-tailed Woodpecker Campethera abingoni

Seen well in Nylsvlei, as well as at the Waterberg

Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens

Two seen in the Waterberg area

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus

Two seen and one more heard in the Waterberg area

Black-collared Barbet Lybius torquatus

Common and widespread, seen regularly in Johannesburg zoo

Crested Barbet Trachyphonus vaillantii

Common and widespread, seen regularly in Johannesburg zoo

(South African) Red-billed Hornbill Tockus (erythrorhynchus) rufirostris

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill Tockus leucomelas

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

African Grey Hornbill Tockus nasutus

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

African Hoopoe Upupa africana

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Green Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus

Seen regularly, including inside Johannesburg zoo

Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus

Seen well at Roodekoppiesdam, Nylsvlei and the Waterberg area

Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata

Single birds seen at Roodekoppiesdam and Nylsvlei

Brown-hooded Kingfisher Halcyon albiventris

Seen at Roodekoppoesdam and then daily at Pilanesberg game park. Singles also at Zaagkuilsdrift and Nylsvlei

Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

Seen regularly outside Johannesburg, with singles also seen twice inside Johannesburg zoo

White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides

Three or four seen during the return journey from Roodekoppiesdam, three also in the Waterberg area

Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus

Seen commonly, also common inside the zoo

Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus

Seen at Roodekoppiesdam, Johannesburg zoo and Nylsvlei, though never as common as Speckled Mousebird

Burchell's Coucal Centropus burchelli

A single bird watched at Kwa-Maritane, in Pilanesberg game park, with a further two seen in Nylsvlei

African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus

Seen commonly outside Johannesburg

Alpine Swift Apus melba

Single seen during the Roodekoppiesdam trip

African Swift Apus barbatus

One definite and three possible (or perhaps Common Swift Apus apus) seen at Walter Sisulu boanical gardens

Little Swift Apus affinis

Seen regularly, particularly outside Johannesburg

Horus Swift Apus horus

Several birds seen in the Rietpan area and in the Nylsvlei area. Superb views also at Northcliff, within Johannesburg, and at Walter Sisulu botanical gardens

White-rumped Swift Apus caffer

At least six birds over Johannesburg zoo on the 27th August

Grey Go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor

Common and widespread

Barn Owl Tyto alba

One roosting in a building in the Marievale area

African Grass Owl Tyto capensis

Seen on two occasions in the 'new' area at the foot of Suikerbosrand

Spotted Eagle Owl Bubo africanus

One in Delta Park, Johannesburg

Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum

Heard at Roodekoppiesdam, seen superbly well In Pilanesberg game park and Nylsvlei

Marsh Owl Asio capensis

Fantastic views in Suikerbosrand; also at Zaagkuilsdrift and Nylsvlei

Feral Pigeon Columba livia

Common and widespread

Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea

Seen regularly

African Olive-Pigeon Columba arquatrix

Seen occasionally in Johannesburg

Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis

Common and widespread

Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola

Common and widespread

Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata

Common and widespread

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos

Three in the Waterberg area, two seen well, one singing late in the evening

Namaqua Dove Oena capensis

One seen in the Rietpan area, a further four along the Zaagkuilsdrift road

African Green-Pigeon Treron calvus

Two on the return from Roodekoppiesdam were the only birds seen

Red-crested Bustard Eupodotis ruficrista

Two at least heard in the Nylsvlei area

White-quilled Bustard Eupodotis afraoides

Seen well - in flight - at Suikerbosrand; heard also at Rooiwal, Zaagkuilsdrift

African Water Rail Rallus caerulescens

A single bird seen at Roodekoppiesdam, also heard at Marievale

Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris

Seen very well in Marievale and Nylsvlei

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

Numerous at Marievale and Nylsvlei

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Common and widespread in wetland areas, including inside Johannesburg zoo

Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata

Single bird at Nylsvlei - with grateful thanks to Doug and Godon!

Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

Common wherever there is water

Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus

One at Roodekoppiesdam

African Snipe Gallinago nigripennis

Seen well in the wetland areas, especially Marievale, Rietpan and Nylsvlei

Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis

One at Marievale

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Two at Roodekoppiesdam, at least 6 at Nylsvlei

Little Stint Calidris minuta

Seen at Roodekoppiesdam and Marievale

Ruff Philomachus pugnax

Several birds at Roodekoppiesdam, Marievale and Rietpan

African Jacana Actophilornis africanus

A handful at Roodekoppiesdam, and abundant at Nylsvlei

Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis

Abundant within Johannesburg zoo, several also seen outside Johannesburg

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Seen only at Marievale and Nylsvlei

Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Four at Roodekoppiesdam, several also seen at Marievale

Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius

Seen at the Roodekoppiesdam and Zaagkuilsdrift

Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris

Numerous at Roodekoppiesdam; also seen at Marievle and Nylsvlei

Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus

Abundant and widespread, including breeding birds within Johannesburg zoo

Wattled Lapwing Vanellus senegallus

Something of a bogey bird on this trip, eventually seen well at Nylsvlei and in Delta Park

Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus

Abundant, though less frequently-encountered then Blacksmith Lapwing

Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus

Small numbers seen, within Johannesburg, at Marievale and in the Rietpan area

Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia

Three seen at Roodekoppiesdam

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida

Two at Roodekoppiesdam, several more at Marievale

White-winged Tern Chlidonias leucopterus

One or two at Marievale

Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus

Widespread; superb bird

Black Kite Milvus migrans migrans

One seen twice (same bird?) at Johannesburg zoo, another at Roodekoppiesdam

Yellow-billed Kite Milvus migrans parasitus

One seen in the Rietpan area

African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer

Up to five at Roodekoppiesdam, also seen in Pilanesberg game park and at Nylsvlei

Cape Griffon Gyps coprotheres

At least ten birds seen at a roost on the return from Roodekoppiesdam

Black-chested Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis

Single bird seen near Roodekoppiesdam

Brown Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus

Single bird perched on a communications tower in the Waterberg area

African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus

Two seen at Roodekoppiesdam, another one evening at Suikerbosrand

African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus

Singles seen at Roodekoppiesdam, in Johannesburg zoo and the Waterburg area

Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar

Single bird at the end of the Zaagkuilsdrift road

Little Sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus

One seen on two occasions in Johannesburg zoo

Ovambo Sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis

Two different birds seen in the zoo; adult and a first-year bird

Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus

One overhead in the Waterberg area

African Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogastra

One distant immature seen briefly at Nylsvlei

Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius

Two birds seen, both in flight at Zaagkuilsdrift and Nylsvlei

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Common on the wetlands outside Johannesburg

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Seen only at Marievale

African Darter Anhinga rufa

Seen at the larger wetlandsRoodekoppiesdam and Marievale, as well as one loafing at Walter Sisulu botanical gardens

Long-tailed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus

Widespread on most wetlands, including in the zoo

White-breasted (Great) Cormorant Phalacrocorax (carbo) lucidus

Seen on the larger wetlands

Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca

Single seen in flight at Roodekoppiesdam, also Marievale

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Seen on the larger wetland areas, one also in the zoo one evening

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Common and widespread, a sizeable colony inside the zoo

Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg, occasionally over the zoo as well

Goliath Heron Ardea goliath

Several seen at Marievale

Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

One at Roodekoppiesdam, two more at Nylsvlei

Great Egret Ardea alba

Four at Roodekoppiesdam, a further two at Nylsvlei

Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia

Singles at Roodekoppiesdam and Rietpan, about seven at Nylsvlei

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Common and widespread

Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides

Seen at all the main wetlands; very abundant at Nylsvlei

Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

Numerous birds at Marievale in the early morning

Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus

One seen at Marievale

Hamerkop Scopus umbretta

A single bird at Pilanesberg game park, a further one at Nylsvlei

Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

Four at Roodekoppiesdam, several at Marievale, three at Nylsvlei and a further three over the zoo one evening

Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash

Abundant in the city, often noted outside as well

Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus

Abundant in the city, often noted outside as well. A sizeable pre-roost gathering in the zoo, aroud 200 birds involved

African Spoonbill Platalea alba

Eight at Roodekoppiesdam, birds also seen at Nylsvlei and Suikerbosrand

Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis

Sixteen at Nylsvlei

White Stork Ciconia ciconia

Three birds heading over the motorway to a local rubbish tip one day

Common Fiscal Lanius collaris

Common and widespread

Magpie Shrike Corvinella melanoleuca

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus anguitimens

One seen in the Nylsvlei area

Pied Crow Corvus albus

Common and widespread

African Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus

Heard at both Pretoria and Walter Sisulu botanical gardens, but not seen at either

Black Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga flava

Female seen in the Pretoria botanical gardens

Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Brubru Nilaus afer

One seen along the Zaagkuilsdrift-Kgomo-kgomo road; also heard in the Nylsvlei area

Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla

Seen at Roodekoppiesdam, Pilanesberg game park and the Waterberg area

Orange-breasted Bushshrike Laniarius brauni

Heard at Nylsvlei, but not seen

Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus

Heard on numerous occasions, finally seen at Nylsvlei

Crimson-breasted Gonolek Laniarius atrococcineus

Seen well at Roodekoppiesdam, along the Roodekoppiesdam to Kgomo-kgomo road and in the Nylsvlei area

Bokmakierie Bushshrike Telophorus zeylonus

Seen briefly at Suikerbosrand and Kwa-Maritane, in Pilanesberg game park

Grey-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti

One seen well during the return journey from Roodekoppiesdam, another at Pilanesberg game park

Chinspot Batis Batis molitor

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Cape Rock-Thrush Monticola rupestris

Seen and admired in Suikerbosrandstunning bird

Groundscraper Thrush Psophocichla litsipsirupa

Seen occasionally outside Johannesburg, usually around villages

Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyanus

Seen regularly outside Johannesburg, particularly well at Pilanesberg game park

Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus

Common and widespread

Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus

One seen in Nylsvlei, near the entrance

Marico Flycatcher Bradornis mariquensis

Common around Roodekoppiesdam, along the Zaagkuilsdrift road and in the Nylsvlei area

Southern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis pammelaina

Seen regularly outside Johannesburg, particularly well at Pilanesberg game park

Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Cape Robin-Chat Cossypha caffra

Common and widespread

White-throated Robin-Chat Cossypha humeralis

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Red-backed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys

Seen in the thornscrub savannah areasRoodekoppiesdam, Zaagkuilsdrift road and Nylsvlei

Kalahari Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas paena

Three seen at Roodekoppiesdam

African Stonechat Saxicola torquata

Common on the higher areas around Johannesburg, particularly Suikerbosrand

Mountain Wheatear Oenanthe monticola

Seen well at Marievale and Suikerbosrand

Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata

Seen in open areas, particularly Suikerbosrand, Pilanesberg and Zaagkuilsdrift road

Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris

Seen in open areas, particularly Suikerbosrand and Pilanesberg

Southern Anteater-Chat Myrmecocichla formicivora

Only seen in Suikerbosrand, on one occasion

Mocking Cliff Chat Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris

Frequent in the rocky areas above the waterhole at Kwa-Maritane, Pilanesberg game park

Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio

Seen regularly, mainly outside Johannesburg, but inside the zoo on two occasions

Red-shouldered Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis nitens

Common and widespread

Burchell's Glossy-Starling Lamprotornis australis

A dozen of these large starlings seen on the Zaagkuilsdrift to Kgomo-kgomo road, a further three in the Nylsvlei area

African Pied Starling Spreo bicolor

One seen in Johannesburg

Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea

Small groups at Marievale, Nylsvlei and on the Waterberg

Common Myna Acridotheres tristis

Common and widespread

Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus

One along the Zaagkuilsdrift road

African Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus caroli

One seen in the Waterberg area

Black Tit Melaniparus niger

Seen well in Pilanesberg game park (Kwa-Maritane) and the Waterberg area

Plain Martin Riparia paludicola

Seen at all the wetland sites outside Johannesburg

Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula

Seen frequently at Pilanesberg game park, also at Pretoria and Walter Sisulu botanical gardens, the Waterberg area and Northcliff

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

One at Suikerbosrand was the only bird seen

White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis

Common and widespread

Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata

Small group hanging round a thorntree at Roodekoppiesdam, another one seen along the Zaagkuilsdrift road

Greater Striped-Swallow Cecropis cucullata

Seen in small numbers at Pilanesberg game park, also Faerie Glen park, Nylsvlei and Delta Park

Lesser Striped-Swallow Cecropis abyssinica

Increasing numbers appearing daily through the trip, seen widely

Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa

Three pairs along the Zaagkuilsdrift road, again three pairs at Nylsvlei and one pair at Delta Park

South African Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera

Small numbers seen at Marievale, Rietpan and Suikerbosrand

Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus tricolor

Common and widespread

Black-fronted Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans

The only birds seen were at Suikerbosrand, apparently the only reliable site around Johannesburg

Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana

Seen well at Roodekoppiesdam, Zaagkuilsdrift road and Nylsvlei

Wailing Cisticola Cisticola lais

One at Northcliff the only bird seen

Tinkling Cisticola Cisticola tinniens

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Piping Cisticola Cisticola fulvicapillus

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

Definite sightings at Nylsvlei

Tink-tink Cisticola Cisticola textrix

One at Suikerbosrand

Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava

Common and widespread outside Johannesburg

Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans

Common and widespread outside Johannesburg

Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica

Seen in Suikerbosrand and Waterberg area

Green-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera brachyura

More frequently heard than seen, but seen at Roodekoppiesdam, Kwa-Maritane (Pilanesberg) and along the Zaagkuilsdrift road

Cape White-eye Zosterops capensis

Common and widespread

African Bush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala

Only one bird seen at Marievale, although many were singing there

Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris

Several heard and one seen at Marievale, one also seen in the zoo

Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis

One or two birds at Roodekoppiesdam

Burnt-neck Eremomela Eremomela usticollis

Seen occasionally outside Johannesburg in the thorn savannah areas

Cape Crombec Sylvietta rufescens

Seen occasionally outside Johannesburg in the thorn savannah areas

Southern Pied-Babbler Turdoides bicolor

One reasonably large group seen along the Zaagkuilsdrift road

Arrow-marked Babbler Turdoides jardineii

A group of around 14 birds at Nylsvlei were the only ones seen, after missing them on several occasions

Rufous-vented Warbler Sylvia subcaeruleum

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana

Seen along the Zaagkuilsdrift road, and superb views at Nylsvlei, one watched singing on a post for a long time

Sabota Lark Calendulauda sabota

Seen well at Roodekoppiesdam and along the Zaagkuilsdrift road

Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata

Two seen feeding on recently-burned ground at Suikerbosrand

Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucotis

Around 14 of these little stunners near Kgomo-kgomo

Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea

Two seen very well in the Rietpan area

Amethyst Sunbird Nectarinia amethystina

Seen well at Kwa-Maritane, Pilanesberg game park, and on the Waterberg

White-bellied Sunbird Nectarinia talatala

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Greater Double-collared Sunbird Nectarinia afra

One male seen on the Waterberg, a further three birds singing at Walter Sisulu botanical gardens

Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa

One seen briefly in Suikerbosrand

Marico Sunbird Nectarinia mariquensis

Widespread outside Johannesburg

House Sparrow Passer domesticus

Seen on odd occasions outside Johannesburg, particularly at Pilanesberg game park

Southern Rufous-Sparrow Passer motitensis

One along the Zaagkuilsdrift road, another two at Nylsvlei

Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus

Common, particularly in the zoo

Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus

Common outside Johannesburg, occasionally see in the zoo

Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis

Frequent outside Johannesburg, seen once in the zoo

Cape Longclaw Macronyx capensis

Seen in Marievale, Suikerbosrand and heard in Nylsvlei

Striped Pipit Anthus lineiventris

Two on the Waterberg, one responding to playback by coming in to just a handful of metres

African Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus

Seen regularly outside Johannesburg

Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis

Definite birds only seen in Pilanesberg game park

Scaly Weaver Sporopipes squamifrons

A handful of birds at Faerie Glen, with around 60 along the Zaagkuilsdrift road

White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali

After missing them on regular occasions, finally caught up with the species along the Zaagkuilsdrift road, then another group at Nylsvlei

Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis

First seen in Faerie Glen, others seen or heard at the Waterberg, Delta Park and Walter Sisulu botanical gardens

Southern Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus

Common and widespread

Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus

Approximately 20 at Roodekoppiesdam

Red-headed Weaver Anaplectes rubriceps

Single birds at Kwa-Maritane, Pilanesberg game park

Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea

Seen infrequently but often in numbers outside Johannesburg

Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer

Seen daily at Pilanesberg game park, the only others at Faerie Glen park, Pretoria

Red Bishop Euplectes orix

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg, often in large groups

Long-tailed Widowbird Euplectes progne

Common in the open grasslands outside Johannesburg

Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons

Several groups seen at Marievale, the species also found nesting in Pretoria bitanical gardens

Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba

Seen infrequently outside Johannesburg, the best being approximately 45 along the Zaagkuilsdrift road

Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala

Seen along the Zaagkuilsdrift road and at Nylsvlei

African Firefinch Lagonosticta rubricata

One seen along the Zaagkuilsdrift road

Jameson's Firefinch Lagonosticta rhodopareia

Seen several times in Pilanesberg, primarily at the Kwa-Maritane waterhole

Blue-breasted Cordonbleu Uraeginthus angolensis

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Common Grenadier Uraeginthus granatinus

Perhaps one of the most stunning birds I've seen, encountered at Roodekoppiesdam, Zaagkuilsdrift road and Nylsvlei

Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Black-cheeked Waxbill Estrilda erythronotos

Two at Roodekoppiesdam were the only birds seen

Zebra Waxbill Sporaeginthus subflava

Seen only at Suikerbosrand

African Quailfinch Ortygospiza fuscocrissa

Heard in most open grassland areas, but only seen at Nylsvlei, only in flight as well

Bronze Munia Spermestes cucullatus

Common and widespread outside Johannesburg

Cut-throat Amadina fasciata

One at the Pretoria botanical gardens was the only bird seen

Red-headed Finch Amadina erythrocephala

Seen around the Rietpan area and at Pretoria botanical gardens, where a small flock held one Cut-throat as well

Queen Whydah Vidua regia

Only seen at Suikerbosrand

Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura

Seen in winter clothes at Zaagkuilsdrift and Nylsvlei, with a breeding-plumage male near the Waterberg

Black-throated Canary Serinus atrogularis

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus

Seen frequently outside Johannesburg

Streaky-headed Seedeater Serinus gularis

One at Faerie Glen park the only bird seen - thankyou Dewald!

Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi

Seen twice at Pilanesberg, coming to the waterhole at Kwa-Maritane

Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis

Seen only at Suikerbosrand

African Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris

Seen frequently at Kwa-Maritane, Pilanesberg game park, along with one along the Zaagkuilsdrift road

Odonata