18 November 2007    
Zululand    
     

Sunday morning saw us wandering around Umlalazi Nature Reserve and Mtunzini looking to see what we could find. We also met up with Andrew and Vanessa again and their two sons, Ryan and Luke, and eventually ended up back at their house after our birding in the area. Although the birding was pretty relaxed in the morning, I managed to add quite a few to my photographic list including Wooly-necked Stork, Olive Sunbird, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, White-eared Barbet, Yellow Weaver and the real special of the area, Palmnut Vulture. I also managed to miss a photographic opportunity on a small flock of Red-headed Queleas, so those will have to wait to another time. Vanessa also found a frog which turned out to be a full lifer for me - Sharp-nosed Reed Frog.
     
Dark-capped Bulbul Wooly-necked Stork Black (Yellow-billed) Kite
     
Bronze Mannikin Lesser Honeyguide Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
     
Kurrichane Thrush Black-bellied Starling Olive Sunbird
     
African Spoonbill Red-billed Firefinch Little Egret
     
Palmnut Vulture Yellow Weaver White-eared Barbet
     
Crested Barbet Sharp-nosed Reed Frog Brown-hooded Kingfisher
     

After eventually leaving our friends, we made our way through to the small town of Eshowe to visit Dhlinza Forest with its aerial boardwalk. Unfortunately, by the time we got there, it was already way too hot and the wind was howling through the forest which didn't make things any easier. The biggest frustration of the weekend happened here when I had heard Green Twinspots calling, got into position and then one jumped out into the open right in front of me. I immediately lifted the camera, locked focus and then....a huge gust of wind and the little blighter was flung off his perch and disappeared at the speed of light. No photo!!!
     
Dark-backed Weaver Olive Thrush Fork-tailed Drongo
     
Grey Cuckoo-shrike Square-tailed Drongo Southern Black Flycatcher
     

After leaving Eshowe, we began making our way back towards Durban to catch our evening flight back to Cape Town. Fortunately, we had a short while to spare, so we popped in at Amatikulu Nature Reserve in the hope of finally catching with Grey Waxbill which was a lifer for Margaret. We have tried many times for this bird in all the right places, but have always dipped on it and, with the wind blowing at Amatikulu, I was not holding out too much hope. Whilst walking through the forest, we came across a slightly more open patch and almost immediately, I picked up on the long drawn out whistle of this little seedeater. I hauled out the PDA and played back the call and within seconds, the bird presented itself. Phew, another bogey bird for Margaret out of the way!! Before we knew it, it was time to hit the road again and head home. All in all, it turned out to be a great weekend despite all the other difficulties with the cruise cancellation.
     
Grey Waxbill unidentified Sprite female Thick-billed Weaver