Week 5 of Level 5 Lock-down started with a magnificent sunrise.
I added a few more birds to my lock down list – the first was a pair of Red-headed Finches in a tree a little distance away. I’ve not seen these little ones in my garden for a while and was very happy to spot them. A handful of Red-billed Queleas landed in a tree while I was looking for the sun birds, and then I was lucky to see a Thick-billed Weaver fly past. Bird no 51 on my lock-down list was also a new bird on my garden list – a House Sparrow. It landed in the tree next to my balcony for all of 10 seconds. It was so cool to add this bird to my garden list, and that list now stand on 73.
The sun birds were still around. There was a handsome male Amethyst Sunbird and a youngster.
I hear the White-bellied Sunbirds almost every day, and I’ve photographed the female. Finally I saw the male and managed a few pics.
There was also a young female White-bellied sunbird.
I also got a
few photos of the Rock doves and African Olive Pigeon as they flew overhead. A Wattled Lapwing joined the Rock Doves.
The Cape Robin-chat is without a doubt one of my favourite garden birds. It has such a beautiful call and is always one of the first birds to start singing in the morning. The one frequenting my balcony is somewhat tame and always approaches when he sees me putting out something to eat.
A pair of Cape Starlings seems to be nesting in a neighbour’s garden. I saw the one with quite a large feather shortly before it dove behind the wall, while its mate was sitting nearby.
The Southern Grey-headed Sparrows visited again.
A bird that everyone loves to hate is the Common Myna. They can be very vocal, and normally sit in the tree and make a noise. I think they are interesting creatures, and not totally un-attractive.
When I am inside I am appreciative of the little birds when they get vocal and alert me to their presence, as these Fiscal Flycatchers and Tawny-flanked Prinia did.
Trying to photograph butterflies is even more frustrating than photographing birds. But during week 5 I did manage a few photos.
A beautiful Painted Lady.
And a Common Blue.
And that was the end of Lock-down week 5. From 1 May 2020 Level 4 started. For the most part it would not change much in my life – I would still work from home and be able to enjoy the Birds, Bugs and Things in and around my house. Read about Level 4 here.