Waterberg

A long line of red cliffs shining in the sun. An early morning start and we found rockrunner.

We made a pre-breakfast walk around the campsite and Dik-dik Trail and then the campsite area again after breakfast. We then headed to Waterberg via the Hoba Meteorite and along the D2152 gravel road. We arrived at Waterberg at about 1630 and after checking in we walked part way up the Mountain Trail.

It was fairly quiet at first but our second walk was more productive with good views of one of our target species, Rosy-faced Lovebird, a flock of 13. Common Scimitar-bill, five Black-faced Babblers, Yellow-bellied Eremomela, White Helmet-shrikes, Bru-bru, Ashy Tit, Violet-eared Waxbill, Green-winged Pytilia and over100 Blue Waxbills.

We stopped off at the Hoba Meteorite site where it was extremely hot. There was a bit of activity around the water taps and a small group of Chestnut-backed Finch-lark came in to drink. A pair of Pririt Batis were also seen, There was also a small seepage which proved very attractive to butterflies. As we left Hoba a small group of Greater striped Swallows were seen.

The drive along the D2152 was quite hard work at times but a number of good birds were seen. A mixed flock of Southern White Babbler and Damara Violet Wood-hoopoes flew across the road and Swallow-tailed and Little Bee-eaters were common. A party of Swainson’s Spurfowl, two pairs of Cape Penduline Tit, a Barred Wren-babbler and lots of Groundscraper Thrushes were also seen.

Waterberg

A Red-crested Koorhan, six Ruppell’s Parrot, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Karoo Scrub-robin and Brown-crowned Tchagra were seen on the approach and Rosy-faced Lovebirds, Alpine, Bradfield’s and Little Swifts were seen above the accommodation. Marique and White-bellied Sunbirds and Crimson-breasted Shrikes were drinking around the reception area and Pale-winged Starlings were seen throughout the area.

Damara Dik-dik were feeding on the lawns in the evening and Chacma Baboons and Banded Mongeese were scavenging around the accommodation.