Originally posted on Something Over Tea:
As one drives from Grahamstown towards Fort Beaufort on the R67, one passes over the Ecca Pass, which takes its name from the Ecca River, a tributary of the Great Fish River. The pass has considerable geological, historical and botanical value, with several interesting things of note. One is that the road over the pass is one of several… Continue reading ECCA NATURE RESERVE
Originally posted on Something Over Tea:
These chunky little barbets have an extremely wide range as they occur over most of South Africa. Many years ago I even used to see the odd one in our garden. Acacia Pied Barbets (Tricholaema leucomelas) favour both woodland and savanna, but are especially at home in arid acacia woodland. Tricholaema means ‘throat hair’ in Greek, while leucomelas is… Continue reading ACACIA PIED BARBET
Originally posted on Something Over Tea:
I have been reading about the excitement raised by the arrival of an American Robin in Eastbourne. A friend from there sent me a video of this robin calmly eating berries in a bush against a backdrop of whirring camera clicks and excited voices. That robin was acting up to its scientific name, Turdus migratorius – only I suspect… Continue reading MEET THE COUSIN
Originally posted on Something Over Tea:
The trees in our garden are now so tall and thick with foliage that it isn’t always easy to find the nests of birds, even if you know they are there – somewhere. A pair of Cape Robin-chats had me fascinated for days on end as they flew back and forth with food in their beaks … I never… Continue reading NESTS
Originally posted on Something Over Tea:
Every year a pair of Lesser-striped Swallows return to build their mud nest under the eaves of our house. They build their nest in exactly the same place, although the direction of the tunnel opening may change slightly with every construction. This summer there had been enough rain for them to start their nest soon after their arrival. The pair… Continue reading A LESSON IN PERSEVERANCE
Originally posted on Something Over Tea:
This has been a very hot month and the neighbouring cats have been relentless in using our garden as a hunting ground. The birds featuring on my list below are regarded as real warriors by me – even though in many cases my sightings of them have been fleeting. They regularly visit the bird baths in this heat, and… Continue reading FEBRUARY 2022 GARDEN BIRDS
Originally posted on Something Over Tea:
Streaky-headed Seedeater ? Continue reading STREAKY-HEADED SEEDEATER
Originally posted on Something Over Tea:
Sombre Greenbuls (Andropadus importunus) are often difficult to see because their dull olive green and grey colouring helps them to blend into the thick bush that they favour. What stands out for me, though, are their characteristic pale eyes. I was delighted to spot this individual that didn’t seem to mind being seen out in the open for it… Continue reading SOMBRE GREENBUL III
Originally posted on Something Over Tea:
We leave this morning for an adventure into the Western Cape. As we head out of town we will be saying goodbye to: A herd of goats in Graeme Street, crossing the road from a private school to test out the lawns further down on the Rhodes University campus. The Urban Herd of cattle making their way along Somerset… Continue reading GOODBYE TO ALL THIS
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