Page 21 - IFV Issue 1 2023

Travel

Although we searched for a few 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 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
Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike
land and ocean. It is a birding hotspot,
as the huge estuary incorporates many
sand bars that attract numerous rare
migratory sea birds and waders. To reach
The 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.
Green Tinkerbird a flock of Crab Plovers and a number
of Saunder’s Tern, the latter having
been discovered only very recently in
Mozambique. At low tide, the estuary
becomes very shallow in places,
revealing many more sandbars and we
decided to moor the boat in front of
one the upmarket developments on the
eastern side of the estuary. Snorkeling in
the relatively clear water around the pier
at this spot revealed Angel fish, Lionfish
and Tilapia, among others.
Our second day on the boat in the
estuary took us to yet more sand
bars where we observed African
Oystercatcher, as well as many more
terns and another look at the very
Eastern Nicator special Saunder’s Tern. We decided to
return to our lodge at low tide, which

The Villager • Issue 1 2023 • 19