Birds and birding in eastern South Africa
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ธ.ค. 2020
- There’s no doubt that South Africa is a top birding destination. Of course, there are many ways to quantify what’s meant by a ‘top birding destination’, such as number of endemics and near-endemics, overall number of species, ease of access, quality of infrastructure etc, and in most, if not all of these, South Africa is a top performer. And while, on a continental basis, there are counties with higher overall species numbers, in terms of endemics and near-endemics, South Africa is a leader. In this webinar, Leon Marais, takes a look Eastern South Africa, covering parts of three Provinces - KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo - and more specifically the seasons, hot spots and key species to be seen. These routes are by no means exhaustive, but are rather designed around destinations that offer birders access to key species, habitats and venues, all within easy-to-do, logical circuits. The routes covered are:
Drakensberg & Zululand - from the South Coast to Wakkerstroom.
Escarpment & Kruger - Dullstroom to the Kruger National Park.
Limpopo Valley & Northern Kruger - Polokwane to the vast Mopane belt.
All three routes offer superb birding, easy travelling, good accommodation and dining, and can be done individually or combined in various ways to create a comprehensive eastern South African birding experience.
Leon Marais
Leon is an experienced professional birding and wildlife guide, and a partner in Lawson’s Birding, Wildlife & Custom Safaris. He’s been plying these birding routes mentioned since 2005, with birders from all over the world under his wing. He’s also involved with setting up tours and itineraries for international birders, though of course the global pandemic has put the brakes on this for the time being. And although he’s led tours in many different countries on the continent, eastern South Africa remains a firm favourite, and the Kruger National Park in particular is one of his top birding and wildlife destinations. He’s also written articles on birding and travel in general for a wide range of publications, and has given talks on birding and wildlife at the British Birdfair in the UK.
Many thanks Leon, a wonderful reminder that local is lekker. So many great places to visit and lifers in each
Glad you enjoyed it
Nice video, Like n.4 and Greetings from Italy :)
Thanks for visiting
Where I am from 🤗
Hi, please can you help I. D a bird for me. it has a thick red Stripe on underside of wings going width ways not length ways, I saw it several years ago at krugar while visiting my brother, a place I love as being in the UK our birds seem dull compared to yours. I'm now very ill so sadly can't return but would be grateful if you can help I. D the bird. Kindest regards Jilly
Hi Jilly, Did you get a picture of it? That description doesn't ring a bell for me.
@@LearntheBirds I didn't, it flew over my head into a tree, I waited ages but it didn't reappear. Someone said it could be a Turaco and I must agree. After searching for so long and not coming up with anything I must be mistaken, I thought the stripe was in the centre of the wing? SA birds are so wonderful Im grateful I've visited several times. Thank you and best wishes ... Jilly
@@jillyclarke6109 Yes, I didn't quite understand your description. Given that it was Kruger Park, it would almost certainly have been a Purple Crested Turaco. I live in about 30 km from Kruger park as the crow flies, and they are currently calling outside my office window. If you scroll down here www.flickr.com/photos/dkeats/albums/72177720302986486/with/52807059533 you can see them outside my office.
@@LearntheBirds truely a beautiful bird, the view I got lasted a couple seconds as it flew over my head into a bushy tree, which after watching for ages I didn't see it leave, I had exactly the same sighting the next day. We were staying at Ngwenya over looking crocodile river. Your office has lovely views of wildlife. Thank you for your help. Best wishes ... Jilly