December 2022 Observations

BirdLife Overberg members and friends have shattered all previous monthly records for the Overberg region. A total of 285 species have been identified during December. Most of the species on this list were recorded on Birding Big Day on 3 December and the species where the birder and locations are indicated were identified later. Maybe 300 species in one month could be attainable in future? This once again illustrates the vast birding potential of the wonderful Overberg region.

Contact Anton at birding@overberg.co.za or WhatsApp at 082 550 3347 if you want to join this fun monthly project.

A pair of Blue Crane chicks explore the open fields with one of their parents.
Look Mommy, I can fly! (Steve Peck)
A Large-billed Lark scans its surroundings.
Large-billed Lark (Graeme Hatley)
A Jackal Buzzard scans the farmlands from a fence post.
Jackal Buzzard (Graeme Hatley)
A Yellow Canary's bright yellow plumage glows in the sunshine.
Yellow Canary (Graeme Hatley)
A Secretarybird stalks the fynbos.
Secretarybird (Graeme Hatley)
A pair pf Kittlitz's Plovers mate.
Kittlitz’s Plovers (Johan van der Westhuizen)
A Black Harrier soars past with intent.
Black Harrier (Steve Peck)
A female Lesser Kestrel flies above.
Female Lesser Kestrel (MC Botha)
A Familiar Chat signs from a fence post.
Familiar Chat (Graeme Hatley)
A pair of juvenile Black Sparrowhawks fly out of a tree.
Juvenile Black Sparrowhawks (Richard Masson)
A pair of Karoo Scrub Robins eye each other out.
Karoo Scrub Robins (MC Botha)
A Namaqua Dove sits in the morning sun trying to warm up.
Namaqua Dove (Graeme Hatley)
A pair of Blue Cranes walk along dam wall.
Blue Cranes (Graeme Hatley)

Species recorded in the Overberg region during December 2022:

  1. Apalis, Bar-throated/ Bandkeelkleinjantjie 
  2. Avocet, Pied/ Bontelsie
  3. Barbet, Acacia Pied/ Bonthoutkapper
  4. Batis, Cape/ Kaapse Bosbontrokkie 
  5. Bee-eater, Blue-cheeked/ Blouwangbyvreter (pieter @ fisherhaven)
  6. Bishop, Southern Red/ Rooivink  
  7. Bishop, Yellow / Kaapse Flap
  8. Bittern, Little/ Kleinrietreier
  9. Bokmakierie 
  10. Boubou, Southern/ Suidelike Waterfiskaal
  11. Bulbul, African Red-eyed/ Rooioogtiptol
  12. Bulbul, Cape/ Kaapse Tiptol
  13. Brownbul, Terrestrial/ Boskrapper 
  14. Bunting, Cape/ Rooivlerkstreepkoppie 
  15. Bustard, Denham’s/ Veldpou 
  16. Buttonquail, Fynbos/ Kaapse Kwarteltjie 
  17. Buzzard, Cape/ Kaapsejakkalsvoël 
  18. Buzzard, Common/ Bruinjakkalsvoël 
  19. Buzzard, European Honey/ Wespedief 
  20. Buzzard, Forest/ Bosjakkalsvoël
  21. Buzzard, Jackal/ Rooiborsjakkalsvoël
  22. Canary, Brimstone/ Dikbekkanarie
  23. Canary, Cape/ Kaapse Kanarie 
  24. Canary, Forest/ Gestreepte Kanarie 
  25. Canary, White-throated/ Witkeelkanarie 
  26. Canary, Yellow/ Geelkanarie 
  27. Chat, Sickle-winged/ Vlaktespekvreter (MC @ Breede River)
  28. Chat, Familiar/ Gewone Spekvreter 
  29. Cisticola, Cloud/ Gevlekte Klopkloppie 
  30. Cisticola, Levaillant’s/ Vleitintinkie 
  31. Cisticola, Grey-backed/ Grysrugtinktinkie
  32. Cisticola, Zitting/ Landeryklopkloppie
  33. Coot, Red-knobbed/ Bleshoender
  34. Cormorant, Bank/ Bankduiker 
  35. Cormorant, Cape/ Trekduiker 
  36. Cormorant, Crowned/ Kuifkopduiker 
  37. Cormorant, Reed/ Rietduiker 
  38. Cormorant, White-breasted/ Witborsduiker
  39. Coucal, Burchell’s/ Gewone Vleiloerie 
  40. Crake, Black/ Swartriethaan 
  41. Crane, Blue/ Bloukraanvoël 
  42. Crombec, Long-billed/ Bosveldstompstert 
  43. Crow, Cape/ Swartkraai  
  44. Crow, Pied/ Witborskraai 
  45. Cuckoo, Black/ Swartkoekoek 
  46. Cuckoo, Common/ Europese Koekoek (SARBN @ Rooisand NR)
  47. Cuckoo, Diederik/ Diederikkie 
  48. Cuckoo, Klaas’s/ Meitjie
  49. Cuckoo, Red-chested/ Piet-my-vrou
  50. Cuckooshrike, Black/ Swartkatakoeroe 
  51. Cuckooshrike, Grey/ Bloukatakoeroe 
  52. Curlew, Eurasian/ Grootwulp 
  53. Darter, African/ Slanghalsvoël 
  54. Dove, Laughing/ Rooiborsduifie 
  55. Dove, Lemon/ Kaneelduifie 
  56. Dove, Namaqua/ Namakwaduifie 
  57. Dove, Red-eyed/ Grootringduif 
  58. Dove, Ring-necked/Gewone Tortelduif 
  59. Dove, Rock/ Tuinduif 
  60. Dove, Tambourine/ Witborsduifie 
  61. Drongo, Fork-tailed/ Mikstertbyvanger 
  62. Duck, African Black/ Swarteend 
  63. Duck, Fulvous Whistling/ Fluiteend 
  64. Duck, Maccoa/ Bloubekeend 
  65. Duck, White-backed/ Witrugeend 
  66. Duck, White-faced Whistling/Nonnetjie-Eend 
  67. Duck, Yellow-billed/ Geelbekeend
  68. Eagle, African Fish-/ Visarend
  69. Eagle, Booted/ Dwergarend (Steve Peck @ Napier)
  70. Eagle, Brown Snake-/ Bruinslangarend (SARBN @ Paardenkloof Road)
  71. Eagle, Long-crested/ Langkuifarend
  72. Eagle, Martial/ Breëkoparend (Steve Peck @ Napier)
  73. Eagle, Verreaux’s/ Witkruisarend
  74. Egret, Intermediate (Yellow-billed)/ Geelbekwitreier 
  75. Egret, Great/ Grootwitreier 
  76. Egret, Little/ Kleinwitreier 
  77. Egret, Western Cattle/ Bosluisvoël of Veereier 
  78. Falcon, Amur/Oostelike Rooipootvalkie (Pieter@ photograph)
  79. Falcon, Lanner/ Edelvalk
  80. Falcon, Peregrine/ Swerfvalk 
  81. Fiscal, Common/ Fiskaallaksman 
  82. Flamingo, Greater/ Grootflamink 
  83. Flamingo, Lesser/ Kleinflamink 
  84. Flufftail, Buff-Spotted/Gevlekte Vleikuiken
  85. Flufftail, Red-Chested/ Rooiborsvleikuiken 
  86. Flycatcher, African Dusky/ Donkervlieëvanger
  87. Flycatcher, African Paradise-/ Paradysvlieëvanger 
  88. Flycatcher, Blue-mantled Crested/ Bloukuifvlieëvanger 
  89. Flycatcher, Fiscal/ Fiskaalvleëvanger 
  90. Flycatcher, Spotted/ Europese Vleëvanger 
  91. Francolin, Grey-Winged/ Bergpatrys 
  92. Gannet, Cape/ Witmalgas 
  93. Godwit, Bar-Tailed/ Bandstertgriet
  94. Goose, Egyptian/ Kolgans 
  95. Goose, Spur-Winged/ Wildemakou
  96. Goshawk, African/ Afrikaanse Sperwer 
  97. Goshawk, Southern Pale Chanting/ Bleeksingvalk (Steve @ Napier)
  98. Grassbird, Cape/ Grasvoël
  99. Grebe, Black-Necked/ Swartnekdobbertjie 
  100. Grebe, Great Crested/ Kuifkopdobbertjie 
  101. Grebe, Little/ Kleindobbertjie 
  102. Greenbul, Sombre/ Gewone Willie 
  103. Greenshank, Common/ Groenpootruiter 
  104. Guineafowl, Helmeted/Gewone tarentaal 
  105. Gull, Grey-headed/ Gryskopmeeu 
  106. Gull, Hartlaub’s/ Hartlaubse Meeu 
  107. Gull, Kelp/ Kelpmeeu 
  108. Gull, Sabine’s/ Mikstertmeeu (Pieter @ mini pelagic cruise)
  109. Hamerkop
  110. Harrier, African Marsh-/Afrikaanse Vleivalk 
  111. Harrier, Black/ Witkruisvleivalk 
  112. Harrier-Hawk, African (gymnogene)/ Kaalwangvalk 
  113. Heron-night, Black-crowned/Gewone Nagreier
  114. Heron, Black-headed/ Swartkopreier 
  115. Heron, Grey/ Bloureier 
  116. Heron, Purple/ Rooireier 
  117. Heron, Striated/ Groenrugreier 
  118. Hobby, Eurasian/ Europese Boomvalk (SARBN @ Karwyderskraal Road)
  119. Honeybird, Brown-backed/ Skerpbekheuningvoël (Steve @ Napier)
  120. Honeyguide, Greater/ Grootheuningwyser 
  121. Honeyguide, Lesser/ Kleinheuningwyser 
  122. Hoopoe, African/ Hoephoep 
  123. Ibis, African Sacred/ Skoorsteenveër 
  124. Ibis, Glossy/ Glansibis 
  125. Ibis, Hadeda/ Hadeda 
  126. Jaeger, Parasitic/ Arktiese Roofmeeu (Steve James @ Pearly Beach)
  127. Kestrel, Lesser/ Kleinrooivalk (MC @ Breede River)
  128. Kestrel, Rock/ Kransvalk 
  129. Kingfisher, Brown-hooded/ Bruinkopvisvanger 
  130. Kingfisher, Giant/ Reusevisvanger 
  131. Kingfisher, Half-collared/ Blouvisvanger (Adrius @ Swellendam)
  132. Kingfisher, Malachite/ Kuifkopvisvanger 
  133. Kingfisher, Pied/ Bontvisvanger
  134. Kite, Black-winged/ Blouvalk
  135. Kite, Yellow-billed/ Geelbekwou 
  136. Knot, Red/ Knoet (Richard @ De Mond NR)
  137. Korhaan, Karoo/ Vaalkorhaan 
  138. Korhaan, Southern black/Swartvlerkkorhaan
  139. Lapwing, Blacksmith/ Bontkiewiet 
  140. Lapwing, Crowned/Kroonkiewiet 
  141. Lark, Agulhas Long-billed/ Overberglangbeklewerik
  142. Lark, Cape Clapper/ Kaapse Klappertjie 
  143. Lark, Large-billed/ Dikbeklewerik 
  144. Lark, Red-capped/ Rooikoplewerik 
  145. Longclaw, Cape/ Oranjekeelkalkoentjie 
  146. Mallard/ Groenkopeend
  147. Martin, Brown-throated/ Afrikaanse Oewerswael 
  148. Martin, Banded/ Gebande Oewerswael 
  149. Martin, Rock/ Kransswael 
  150. Martin, Sand/ Europese Oewerswael 
  151. Moorhen, Common/ Grootwaterhoender 
  152. Mousebird, Red-faced/ Rooiwangmuisvoël 
  153. Mousebird, Speckled/ Gevlekte Muisvoël 
  154. Neddicky/ Neddikkie 
  155. Nightjar, European/ Europese Naguil (SARBN: dead bird found near Uilenkraal River estuary)
  156. Nightjar, Fiery-necked/ Afrikaanse Naguil 
  157. Nightjar, Rufous-cheeked/ Rooiwangnaguil 
  158. Oriole, Eurasian Golden/ Europese Wielewaal (SARBN @ Van Der Stel Pass)
  159. Osprey, Western/ Visvalk (Eugene @ De Hoop Road)
  160. Ostrich, Common/ Volstruis
  161. Oystercatcher, African Black/ Swarttobie 
  162. Owl, Barn/ Nonnetjie-Uil 
  163. Owl, Spotted Eagle-/ Gevlekte Ooruil 
  164. Peafowl, Common/ Gewone Pou
  165. Pelican, Great White/ Witpelikaan 
  166. Penguin, African/ Brilpikkewyn 
  167. Petrel, Northern giant / Grootnellie (DICT pelagic cruise off Kleinbaai)
  168. Petrel, Southern giant/ Reusenellie (Sandra @ DICT cruise)
  169. Petrel, White-chinned/ Bassiaan (DICT pelagic cruise off Kleinbaai)
  170. Pigeon, African Olive-/Geelbekbosduif 
  171. Pigeon, Speckled/ Kransduif 
  172. Pipit, African/ Gewone Koester
  173. Pipit, Long-billed/ Nicholsonse Koester 
  174. Pipit, Plain-backed/ Donkerkoester 
  175. Plover, Common Ringed/ Ringnekstrandloper 
  176. Plover, Grey/ Grysstrandkiewiet 
  177. Plover, Greater Sand/ Grootstrandkiewiet (Steve James @ Uilenkraal River estuary)
  178. Plover, Kittlitz’s/ Geelborsstrandkiewiet
  179. Plover, Three-banded/Driebandstrandkiewiet 
  180. Plover, White-fronted/ Vaalstrandkiewiet 
  181. Pochard, Southern/ Bruineend 
  182. Prinia, Karoo/ Karoolangstertjie 
  183. Quail, Common/ Afrikaanse kwartel 
  184. Quelea, Red-billed/ Rooibekkwelea 
  185. Rail, African/ Grootriethaan
  186. Raven, White-necked/ Withalskraai
  187. Robin-chat, Cape/ Gewone Janfrederik 
  188. Robin, Karoo Scrub-/ Slangverklikker
  189. Robin, White-starred/ Witkoljanfrederik 
  190. Rockjumper, Cape/ Kaapse Berglyster 
  191. Rock-thrush, Cape/ Kaapse Kliplyster 
  192. Roller, European/ Europese Troupant (SARBN @ Stanford)
  193. Ruff/ Kemphaan 
  194. Sanderling/ Drietoonstrandloper 
  195. Sandgrouse, Namaqua / Kelkiewyn 
  196. Sandpiper, Common/ Gewone Ruiter 
  197. Sandpiper, Curlew/ Krombekstrandloper 
  198. Sandpiper, Marsh/ Moerasruiter 
  199. Sandpiper, Pectoral/ Geelpootstrandkiewiet (SARBN @ Rooisand NR)
  200. Sandpiper, Wood/ Bosruiter 
  201. Saw-wing, Black/ Swartsaagvlerkswael
  202. Secretarybird/ Sekretarisvoël 
  203. Seedeater, Streaky-headed/ Streepkopkanarie
  204. Shearwater, Cory’s/ Geelbekpylstormvoël (keith @ betty’s bay)
  205. Shearwater, Sooty/ Malbaartjie (sandra @ dict cruise)
  206. Shelduck, South African/ Kopereend 
  207. Shoveler, Cape/ Kaapse Slopeend
  208. Shrike, Olive Bush-/ Olyfboslaksman 
  209. Siskin, Cape/ Kaapse Pietjiekanarie 
  210. Snipe, African/ Afrikaanse Snip 
  211. Snipe, Greater Painted/ Goudsnip (Wim @ Springfield salt pan)
  212. Skua, Pomerine/ knopstertroofmeeu (Steve James @ Pearly Beach)
  213. Sparrow, Cape/ Gewone Mossie 
  214. Sparrow, House/ Huismossie 
  215. Sparrow, Southern Grey-headed/ (Suidelike) Gryskopmossie
  216. Sparrowhawk, Black/ Swartsperwer
  217. Sparrowhawk, Rufous-Chested/ Rooiborssperwer 
  218. Spoonbill, African/ Lepelaar
  219. Spurfowl, Cape/ Kaapse Fisant 
  220. Spurfowl, Red-Necked/ Rooikeelfisant 
  221. Starling, Common/ Europese Spreeu 
  222. Starling, Pied/ Witgatspreeu
  223. Starling, Red-winged/ Rooivlerkspreeu 
  224. Starling, Wattled/ Lelspreeu 
  225. Stilt, Black-winged/ Rooipootelsie
  226. Stint, Little/ Kleinstrandloper 
  227. Stonechat, African/ Gewone Bontrokkie 
  228. Stork, Black/ Grootswartooievaar (Pieter @ Franskraal)
  229. Stork, White/ Witooievaar 
  230. Storm Petrel, European/ Europese Stormswael (Steve James @ Pearly Beach)
  231. Sugarbird, Cape/ Kaapse Suikervoël 
  232. Sunbird, Amethyst/Swartsuikerbekkie
  233. Sunbird, Greater Double-collared/ Groot-rooibandsuikerbekkie 
  234. Sunbird, Malachite/ Jangroentjie 
  235. Sunbird, Orange-breasted/ Oranjeborssuikerbekkie
  236. Sunbird, Southern Double-collared/ Klein-rooibandsuikerbekkie 
  237. Swallow, Barn/ Europese Swael
  238. Swallow, Greater Striped/ Grootstreepswael 
  239. Swallow , Pearl-breasted/ Pêrelborsswael
  240. Swallow, SA Cliff/ Familieswael (Garrit @ Karwyderskraal Road)
  241. Swallow, White-throated/ Witkeelswael 
  242. Swamphen, African/ Grootkoningriethaan 
  243. Swift, African Black/ Swartwindswael 
  244. Swift, African Palm/ Palmwindswael 
  245. Swift, Alpine/ Witpenswindswael
  246. Swift, Horus/ Horuswindswael 
  247. Swift, Little/ Kleinwindswael 
  248. Swift, White-rumped/ Witkruiswindswael 
  249. Tchagra, Southern/ Grysborstjagra 
  250. Teal, Blue-billed/ Gevlekte Eend 
  251. Teal, Cape/ Teeleend
  252. Teal, Red-billed/ Rooibekeend 
  253. Tern, Caspian/ Reusesterretjie 
  254. Tern, Common/ Gewone Sterretjie
  255. Tern, Damara/ Damarasterretjie 
  256. Tern, Greater Crested/ Geelbeksterretjie 
  257. Tern, Little/ Kleinsterretjie (Richard @ De Mond Nr)
  258. Tern, Sandwich/ Grootsterretjie 
  259. Tern, Whiskered/ Witbaardsterretjie 
  260. Tern, White-winged/ Witvlerksterretjie 
  261. Thick-knee, Spotted/ Gewone Dikkop 
  262. Thick-knee, Water/ Waterdikkop 
  263. Thrush, Olive/ Olyflyster 
  264. Turnstone, Ruddy/ Steenloper 
  265. Vulture, Cape/ Kransaasvoël
  266. Wagtail, Cape/ Gewone Kwikkie 
  267. Warbler, African Reed-/ Kleinrietsanger 
  268. Warbler, Lesser Swamp-/ Kaapse Rietsanger
  269. Warbler, Knysna/ Knysnaruigtesanger 
  270. Warbler , Little Rush-/ Kaapse vleisanger 
  271. Warbler, Victorin’s/ Rooiborsruigtesanger 
  272. Warbler, Willow/ Hofsanger 
  273. Warbler, Yellow-throated Woodland-/ Geelkeelsanger
  274. Waxbill, Common/ Rooibeksysie 
  275. Waxbill, Swee/ Suidelike Swie 
  276. Weaver, Cape/ Kaapse Wewer 
  277. Weaver, Southern masked-/ Swartkeelgeelvink 
  278. Wheatear, Capped/ Hoëveldskaapwagter
  279. Whimbrel, Eurasian/ Kleinwulp
  280. White-eye, Cape/ Kaapse Glasogie 
  281. Whydah, Pin-tailed/ Koningrooibekkie
  282. Woodpecker, Cardinal/ Kardinaalspeg 
  283. Woodpecker, Ground/ Grondspeg 
  284. Woodpecker, Knysna/ Knysnaspeg
  285. Woodpecker, Olive/ Gryskopspeg 

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