Some more time was spent raptor watching at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens this last Saturday. A decent number of raptors (for this area) were seen (8 individuals), but species were limited to Steppe Buzzard, Forest Buzzard and Black Sparrowhawk. Admittedly, I got there a little late. The optimal time is probably 8am because by 9am most buzzards are already cliff soaring and difficult to spot.
Here are a few images from the morning:
Not the best picture of a Forest Buzzard, but one can clearly see the distinctive features - pale underwing coverts that do not contrast with the remiges, pale chest and under belly - in flight Forest Buzzard also looks more compact than Steppe Buzzard with, in my opinion, faster wing beats.
Does anyone perhaps know what butterfly spp this is? I haven’t had a chance to look it up yet.
Not exactly a cliff-soaring raptor, but the Spotted Eagle Owls were displaying nicely in the Dell so I thought I’d include this pic.
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