Page 23 - Stoeptalk 2023 Issue 1

TRAVEL
BIRDING was thought to be extinct before being
five sub-species of Whimbrel, which

rediscovered in 1997. The Steppe
Whimbrel can be identified by its white
underwings and axillaries.

IN MOZAMBIQUE Morrungulo Lodge is situated on a
palm-fringed beach which gives it a
tropical ambiance. Mosquito nets

over the beds added to the exotic
atmosphere and were essential to
keep the many mosquitos at bay.

The next morning, again at first light,
we set off for the woodlands west
of Unguane. Our target bird was the
Green Tinkerbird, which is extremely
rare and found in only a few small
patches of coastal scrub-thicket.
Although we searched for a few Racquet-tailed Roller
hours, the Green Tinkerbird eluded
us on this occasion. Nevertheless,
we sighted Livingstone’s Flycatcher,
Neergard’s Sunbird and Blue-throated
Sunbird. Baobab trees are common in
this part of Mozambique and around
the baobabs Etienne identified both Steppe Whimbrel
Bohm’s Spinetail and Mottled Spinetail
and highlighted the differences
between the two species.

The Sanctuary on the San Sebastian
Peninsula is the southernmost part
of the Bazaruto archipelago and
stretches over some 30 000 hectares
of conserved land and ocean. It is a
birding hotspot, as the huge estuary
incorporates many sand bars that
attract numerous rare migratory Eastern
sea birds and waders. To reach The Nicator
Sanctuary area, one drives along a
90km sand road from the EN1 main
road. Proof of booked accommodation
at Jacana Camp is essential in order to
be admitted to the reserve.

Etienne had booked a motorboat
to take us around the estuary and
at dawn we set off across the calm
estuary water to explore the first
sand bar. Bird sightings included
numerous terns including Lesser
crested, Damara, Swift, and Common
Tern, Lesser and Greater Sand Plovers,
and Common Ringed Plover. On a
second sand bar, Etienne sighted
two Mozambique specials i.e. a
flock of Crab Plovers and a number
of Saunder’s Tern, the latter having
been discovered only very recently in Red-necked Spurfowl
Mozambique. At low tide, the estuary

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Boardwalk Meander Estate Issue 1 · 2023