I started feeling as if I was neglecting my favourite Jozie birding hangout, and I went for a short visit on 1 May 2019.

Giant KingfisherI started at the hide as always, and was very happy to see the Giant Kingfisher. There were two of them fishing on the other side of the dam and the one came to sit on the perch in front of the hide.Giant Kingfisher Giant Kingfisher

Then a real highlight – not one but TWO Half-collared Kingfishers arrived! Unfortunately they spent most of their time on the other side of the dam as well, but as with the Giant Kingfishers, one came to perch close by.Half-collared Kingfisher Half-collared Kingfisher

I headed off to the waterfall in the hopes of finding the Wagtail. On the way there I saw a few Cape White-eyes.Cape White-eye

I sat down for some coffee on the bench at the top of the waterfall. I spotted a head sticking out from the nest – Makatsa is sitting on eggs!  There will be a baby eagle soon! I saw movement to the right of the nest and spotted Thulane keeping a watchful eye on mom and their precious treasure.

Makatsa Thulane

I also saw two birds that I have not seen in the Gardens in a while – a Malachite Sunbird and a Bokmakierie. Sadly no photos of either.

The Wagtail was nowhere to be seen, but I did find a lovely Common Fiscal.Common Fiscal Common Fiscal

There was also a small flock of Thick-billed weavers on top of a tree.Thick-billed weaver

African DarterI made a last stop at the hide. An African Darter was sitting on the far side of the dam.

The Little Grebe was enjoying a mid-morning snack.

Little Grebe Little GrebeLittle Grebe

A movement on the other side of the dam caught my eye – a water mongoose. On the way to the gate I saw another mammal in the shape of a slender mongoose.

water mongoose Slender mongoose

A trio of Cape Wagtails were looking for food near the Walter Sisulu memorial.Cape Wagtail

Other highlights of the morning were a Purple Heron, Green Woodhoopoos, a Lesser Honeyguide, Brown-headed Kinfisher and a Burchell’s Coucal.