African Wildlife & Environment Issue 83

DESTINATIONS

View across the Mountain Sanctuary Park. Chapel on right

Stone chat, weavers and queleas. In tall stands of reeds, you will find the finely woven nests of the Thick-billed Weaver. Listen for the ever present Rufous- naped Lark as it calls from its perch somewhere, often on fence posts while the call of the Swainsons and Natal Spurfowl are heard in the distance. After the rains large numbers of swallows like Red-breasted, White-throated and Lesser Striped can be seen collecting mud. During summer one will often find the Common Buzzard perched high up in a blue gum tree, or on an electricity pole as it surveys the scene for potential prey. At night one can hear the clear ringing call of the Fiery-necked Nightjar with its distinct “good lord deliver us" call as well as (if lucky enough) the plopping call of our largest nightjar, the Freckled Nightjar whose home is the rocky slopes of the Magaliesberg range.

Violet-backed Starlings are often seen in the camp or forested gorges in summer

45 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 83 (2023)