 |
| Spitzkoppe view |
Today we left the misty Swakopmund and headed east, eventually traveling through some genuine low fog. We made good time before a ‘five minute stop’ for photos of the impressive granite tors of
Spitzkoppe.
 |
| view from our first birding spot |
The five minutes quickly turned into twenty as some birds appeared. The ever present, ever variable Mountain Wheatears showed as did a new trip bird, Sabota Lark; two birds fossicking among the rocks. Another bird briefly appeared, perching briefly on a boulder. Photos confirmed Mike’s initial suggestion – Lark like Bunting [and yes, that is its name].
 |
| Mountain Wheatear |
 |
| Mountain Wheatear |
 |
| Our first Sabota Lark |
A few minutes later we rolled into Spitzkoppe. A necessary stop at the gates allowed a quick view of Yellow billed Hornbill. We targeted an uncommon near-endemic, Herero Chat, however despite hearing the bird we could not locate it. We did locate a new stunning should-have-been bird of the day White tailed Shrike. This bird is less like a shrike and more like a giant, long-legged Batis.
 |
| first flying banana or Yellow billed Hornbill |
Acacia Pied Barbet, Pririt Batis, Go-away Bird, Monteiro’s Hornbill also showed here with Familiar Chat, Southern Fiscal and the ubiquitous Pale winged Starling.
 |
| Surrounds at Spitzkoppe |
 |
| Klipspringer |
 |
| Add caption |
 |
| Monteiro's Hornbill |
 |
| White tailed Shrike |
 |
| birding the Spitzkoppe |
Next stop was our accommodation and [late] lunch stop – Erongo Wilderness Lodge, located within the Conservancy of the same name.
 |
| Erongo Wilderness Lodge - Tent sites on the ridge side |
 |
| outdoor eating area |
 |
| under utilised camp fire place - at this time of the year at any rate |
In the midday heat the birding can be difficult however thanks to a well placed drip water tray atop a boulder, itself enveloped with a growing fig, the birds were abundant and easily viewable from the lodge’s dining room. Further down in the valley was a larger watering point and it was not long before the watering birds were interrupted by our first warthog.
 |
| African Grey hornbill |
 |
| Black throated Canary |
 |
| Peachface or Rosy faced Lovebird |
 |
| BIRD OF THE DAY! Melba or Green winged Pytilia |
 |
| Red eyed Bulbul |
 |
| Cape Bunting |
Late lunch was followed by an early rest and then at a sensible six pm time we strolled off towards the sunset and a nearby koppe for a sundowner. At the top we were treated to two great views; the first the expansive countryside of the conservancy, the second, a high elevation bar tender preparing our drinks. Mine was pretty easy – a beer that needed a cap removed.
 |
| Sunset Group Photo |
 |
| high elevation bar |
Civilisation continued with a three course meal under the stars until fatigue drove us towards bed about 9-30pm.
No comments:
Post a Comment