On the road again

Few birds seen on a quick look round the Quivertree Restcamp first thing, with Dusky Sunbird, Mountain Wheatear, Rock Martin and Cape Sparrow again present.

Rock Martin

The Cheetahs seen patrolling around the edge of their vast enclosure as we left.

Cheetah

Nearby, a Red-faced Mousebird just outside Keetmanshoop briefly.

1 Goliath Heron and 2 African Black Ducks on the Orange River at midday on a very short stop before we crossed back into South Africa.

Very little seen on the long drive south between here and Lambert’s Bay, with Damara Canary, Ludwig’s Bustard and several Greater Striped Swallows by the road of note. A short drive along the track towards Eland Bay late afternoon was very productive with several Cape Francolin, Karoo Scrub-Robins, Bokmakieries, a Cape Bunting and a family of Stonechats around the scrub.

Cape Bunting

Bokmakierie

Karoo Scrub-robin

Also many Cape Gannets and cormorant spp. offshore.

The long and not-at-all windy road

Much the same around the Quivertree Restcamp first thing as last night with Dusky Sunbird, Cape Sparrow, Scaly-feathered Finch and African Red-eyed Bulbul around the chalets.

Cape Sparrow

Nearby, several Black-throated Canaries and a Namaqua Dove with the Sociable Weaver flock in the animal pens and a confiding Familiar Chat also here.

Black-throated Canary

Familiar Chat

3 Rosy-faced Lovebirds, a Meerkat and 2 Banded Mongooses also seen here along with a Spike-heeled Lark along the access track.

Meerkat

Banded Mongoose

Few birds seen on the drive north towards Windhoek, though 1 Martial Eagle seen along with Rufous-eared Warbler and a Swallow-tailed Bee-eater and numerous Pale Chanting Goshawks and a mixed flock of Burchell’s and Cape Glossy Starlings.

Immature Martial Eagle

Sand dunes and Cheetahs

Very little seen on a short visit to Ludderitz on the Namibian coast, with several African Black Oystercatchers and a Crowned Cormorant of note. Some of the famous red sand dunes gave the scenery a most attractive look.

Little seen on the drive from Ludderitz to Keetmanshoop, with the usual Pale Chanting Goshawks and Greater Kestrels on the roadside telegraph poles, plus 2 Lanner, Namaqua Dove and a Familiar Chat by the various picnic stops.

A short walk round the Quivertree Rest Camp late afternoon produced many Sociable Weavers around the pen where we were able to watch a pair of Cheetahs being fed, and also Dusky Sunbird, Mountain Wheatear, Large-billed Lark and several Rock Martins seen. Also several Rock Dassies and a Banded Mongoose seen here.

Large-billed Lark