Page 25 - Intra Muros November Issue 2025

The black sparrowhawk – a shadow of Species observed included:
power • Dark-capped Bulbul
Just when we thought the morning couldn’t • Red-billed Quelea
get more dramatic, a black sparrowhawk • Red-eyed Dove
made an appearance. It flew close by – silent, • Black-throated Canary
• Laughing Dove
purposeful, majestic. Its dark silhouette • Spotted Thick-Knee
against the cloudy sky evoked a sense of • Common Myna
awe. It was as if it simply wanted to say: “I’m • Helmeted Guineafowl
here. I see you.” A brief appearance, but one • Southern Fiscal
that left a lasting impression. • Speckled Pigeon
• Blacksmith Lapwing
The spotted thick-knees – an • Cape Wagtail
unintended awakening • House Sparrow
As we walked through the field, we • Hadeda Ibis
• Speckled Mousebird
unknowingly woke a pair of spotted thick- • Cape Glossy Starling
knees from their slumber. They stood up with • Common Guineafowl
slight indignation, clearly unimpressed by • Common Moorhen
our early-morning visit. But their presence • Yellow-billed Duck
made us smile, and we continued our walk • Egyptian Goose
with renewed respect and awareness of • Little Grebe
how carefully we must tread in their world. • Black-headed Gull
• Palm Swift
• Black-headed Heron
More than a species list – a journey • Lesser Striped Swallow
through nature’s wonders • African Darter
The expedition wasn’t just a checklist of • Pied Kingfisher
species – it was a journey through behaviour, • White-throated Swallow
interaction and the wonder of the natural • Green-backed Heron
world. Lance’s insights into nest protection • African Pygmy Goose
against invasive species like the dideric • Brubru (nest seen)
cuckoo, and his warnings about the impact • Common Gallinule
• Cape White-eye
of water pollution on endangered birds like • Rock Dove
the yellow-billed duck, gave the morning a • Black Sparrowhawk
sense of responsibility and reflection. • Southern Red Bishop
• Cape Robin-Chat
Although the cloudy weather made • White-winged Widowbird
photography difficult and the African fish • Thick-billed Weaver
eagle disappointed us by not showing • Long-tailed Paradise Whydah
up, the expedition was a great success – • Neddicky
an opportunity to learn, to share and to • Amethyst Sunbird
...and possibly more.
appreciate the rich birdlife of Silver Lakes.

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