Page 22 - IFV Issue 1 2023

Travel

Racquet-tailed Roller Olive Bee-eater

necessitated our motoring out to sea to trough only to rise up again on the next entered the calmer water of the estuary.
go around the sand bars. Humpbacked wave and drop down again. Gradually, The following day, on our way out
dolphins that inhabit the estuary were we eased our way out beyond the of The Sanctuary, we saw another
seen and a flock of Greater Flamingos breakers but could still feel the power Mozambique special i.e. a flock of
flew overhead. of the open ocean. Interesting sightings Olive Bee-eaters, as well as Red-necked
One could feel the pull of the ocean as out at sea included humpbacked whales Spurfowl, Swallow–tailed Bee-eater,
Rashid, our pilot, drove the boat through and bottlenose dolphins. The boat ride African Marsh Harrier and African
the breakers. The boat rose up on the back to our lodge took about an hour Cuckoo Hawk. On the sand road leading
waves and then crashed down into the with the ride becoming smoother as we back to the EN1 main road, Etienne
spied a Mascarene Martin, a mega
sighting as this bird is a winter visitor to
Local fishermen Mozambique, which then flies across to
Madagascar during the spring months.
Our overnight stop was at a comfortable
small lodge at Inhassoro, the furthest
point north on our trip.
The next morning was spent in the
Save Woodlands, 90 minutes’ drive
west of the EN1. Again, our target bird
was the elusive Green Tinkerbird but in
spite of Etienne’s best efforts, we came
up short. Nevertheless, other great
sightings included Chestnut-fronted
Helmetshrike, Eastern bearded Scrub-
robin, Spinetails and Grey Penduline
Tit. We then headed south for some
five hours and stayed once again at the
Morrungulo Beach Lodge.

20 • Issue 1 2023 • The Villager