2016: Highlights - Part 2

Part two!

#13 South African Fur Seal colony, Hout Bay 28th March.

The most beautiful of days for a boat trip from this stunning harbour. Kelp and Hartlaub's Gulls, Red-winged Starling, Sacred Ibis, Cape and White-breasted Cormorant and Black Oystercatcher. The swell was a gentle 15ft as we rounded the headland and caught sight of the magnificent colony. The smell was unbelievable too.

#12 Nesting House Martins,  Brotherswater, Lake District 23 -26th July.

The cottage we stayed in at the end of July had three active nests under the eaves. Each morning a mixture of newly fledged juveniles and adults would perch on a wire outside the bedroom, chirping gently at each other. My previous post from the 2nd of August describes the other species seen on the same wire.

#11 Ring Ouzel, Seaford Head 9th October.

Crazy numbers of this species on the South coast this Autumn. After a distant sighting on my patch, I caught up with this beautiful bird later in the day in the scrub above Hope Gap.

#10 White Rhinoceros, near Skukuza Restcamp, Kruger 3rd April.

Breathtaking and massive. My first wild Rhino was busy grazing right next to the safari truck. Another lifetime ambition.

#9 African Hoopoe near the Letaba River, Kruger 2nd April.

A truly iconic bird. Genuine punk rock attitude. I would love to see the European species.

#8 Turtle Dove, Alciston 7th June.

My first proper view of the sadly rare Turtle Dove. My feelings of joy were mixed with the sadness of knowing that this species could well become extinct in the UK during my lifetime.

#7 Little Owl Penshurst Estate, Kent 11th July

So pleased with this bird, a lifetime first for me. I had read about the habitat they prefer, and decided that the ride along the top of the Medway valley looked promising. No kidding.

#6 Saddle-Billed Storks, Letaba River, Kruger 2nd April.

This was probably at the top of my must see species for the whole trip to South Africa. Their plumage is insanely glorious. I am still delighted about seeing them today.

#5 Lion Pride near Skukuza Restcamp, Kruger 4th April.

What can I say? Iconic in so many ways. Just after dawn, with a golden sun just above the horizon. A huge male, four females and eight cubs. Watched this pride for over an hour, then they just disappeared through the trees to the west.

#4 African Penguins, Boulders Beach, South Africa 29th March.

On a day when I saw my first Ostrich and my first Albatross, these birds were still a fantastic spectacle. The site is a well managed tourist hot spot, and allows fantastic views. The penguins share the beach with Cape Cormorants, Kelp Gulls, Cape Wagtails and Blacksmith Plovers.

#3 Pink-footed Geese over Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk 27th October.

Down at the harbour just before dawn on a very chilly morning. Unbelievable scenes as skein after skein flew in over the town, their distant calling could just be heard.

#2 Common Cranes, Stubbs Raptor Viewing Platform, Hickling Broad Norfolk 14th February.

(These are 'record shots', taken before I bought my new camera).
On a very cold afternoon, with snow threatening, I walked out to the raptor viewing platform. Great views of a Barn Owl and a Chinese Water Deer on the way. As I got closer I could hear them trumpeting. A pair of wild Cranes in Britain!

#1 Cheetah kill near Skukuza Restcamp, Kruger 3rd April.

A pair of Cheetah had just brought down an Impala. They ate hungrily while Black-backed Jackals, vultures and a Tawny Eagle looked on. More and more vultures spiralled down to join the throng as we watched. Amazing.

I will be delighted if 2017 even comes close to matching these marvellous experiences. I will certainly be out looking.