A restful yet invigourating stop

Dear All,

Our last stop at Wakkerstroom with André Steenkamp and Kristi Garland has been absolutely great. The Barn Swallows are back and seem to be growing in numbers here. We had several sightings of them flying into the reed beds to roost at Sunset. We also noted the arrival of Ruff, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and a Little Stint at the Wakkerstroom wetlands. The paleartic migrants are beginning to match their afro-tropical cousins and are inbound earnestly. Our late afternoon birding yesterday at the wetlands was brilliant, as only Wakkerstroom can deliver. We had African Snipe, a reed bed quartering pair of African Marsh Harriers causing some fuss for their intended prey, a range of ducks and one pair of South African Shelduck, always a lovely sighting for us more easterly birders.

African Rail did a little display whilst nipping between clumps of reeds and our highlight of the day was a sunset interaction between a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron stalking a juicy looking Little Bittern (Payessi race) along a Willow tree overlooking the water’s edge. Our rather nervous Bittern did a slow creep away from the impending threat of the Night Heron who did its very best to look incognito, but was rather unsuccessful. When it got too close for the Bitterns sense of survival it dashed off flying across the road and settled in a stand of reeds in its typical upturned ankle posture watching for reprisals from the now forlorn Night Heron.

Most birds are breeding and we witnessed a few matings of Coots and Ducks. The Wakkerstroom Centre itself is lovingly developing into a new refreshed look under André and Kristi’s care and visitors to the Centre will enjoy the changes no doubts. The surrounding vegetation and fields are a mix of recently burned patches and flush emerald green meadows. The winter rains have certainly ensured a good start to the Spring here.

Kind regards
Ashwell Glasson