Tuesday 30 September 2014

WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY - FIrst afternoon's birding in Malawi

On my first afternoon in Blandtyre, Malawi, I decided to go for a walk.  Now the roads from their home are just dirt roads, very dusty and full of pot holes so with my camera and binoculars I went exploring.  I found a area of scrub ground and thought that might be good for seeing birds but got some strange looks but there again, I was the only white women around!!  The lighting was not great, I knew no Malawian birds so I found it quite difficult and I just hope that the birds I found that afternoon on this post are correctly named.  If someone can tell me differently, please do so.


Yellow bellied Sunbird (male)


Eastern Doublecollared Sunbird




Yellow bellied Sunbird (male)




Yellow bellied Sunbird (female)



Bronze Mannikin


Thanks to blogger Jo Hedges from “Memorable Meanders” and living in Tanzania, she has successful ID’d this bird.


Yellow -rumped Widow (Euplectes capensis) female



Black eyed Bulbul






Blue Waxbill



House Sparrow


Pied Crow


Speckled Mousebird

I hope you enjoyed these first birds I saw even through some shots are too dark.  In all the time (4 weeks) I was in Malawi, I never found a bird watcher who could help me.  Also when I got home that day and told Judith where I had been, she told me I was lucky to be alive as there were very dangerous snakes around that area!!  Needless to say,  I did not repeat the exercise!

I am linking this post with WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

Thank you for visiting.

Many thanks for all your comments.

39 comments:

  1. I think you were a very brave pioneer Margaret so I'm not surprised you got strange looks and didn't see another birder. Excellent shots despite the cloudy weather but I'm sure it improved for the rest of your stay. can't help with ID I'm afraid as it's a long time since I was in Kenya.

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    1. HI Phil Thanks for comment. I tink my daughter might say i was foolhardy.

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  2. Margaret, you went out in fog to take great photos, well done for that.

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  3. Margaret, I am glad you were safe after your outing.. Going out alone and snakes in the area, you are the brave one.. I love all the birds, the sunbirds are gorgeous.. A beautiful variety of birds and photos.

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  4. Thankfully nothing happened to you during your excursions. Snakes can be very tricky.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  5. Truly remarkable pics.

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  6. It's interesting to see that the common house sparrow is there in Malawi too. Where hasn't it spread to? Look forward to more pics from your trip.

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  7. Hi Margaret, your bird photos are wonderful and I am so glad you did not see any snakes. :)

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  8. just a wonderful bunch of birds!

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  9. A fine series of the pretty birds. You had a very good trip with your binocs and camera.

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  10. I can't help with i.d.s, but those birds are beautiful!
    ~

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  11. Wonderful series, Margaret. How exciting to see such new varieties. Are these considered lifers for you? Blessings.

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  12. Just wonderful ,have a nice evening ,nette

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  13. Ahh the intrepid explorer. Super selection of colourful exotics Margaret.

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  14. Beautiful birds, Margaret. I'm glad you didn't encounter any snakes on your outing.

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  15. Stunning birds, I like sunbirds, they are small flying jewels.

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  16. You did well getting those nice photos despite the conditions. Pretty scary about those snakes!

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  17. Gorgeous birds - and I am very glad that the snakes were busy elsewhere - or recognised a true nature lover.

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  18. Beautiful birds, but watch out for those snakes!

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  19. These birds are truly beautiful! And even more so since you risked your life to show us! The first ones are jeweled and wonderful. Love the Mousebird and I have never seen such a bird. I am surprised there are house sparrows there, but i guess they are everywhere.

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  20. Lovely pictures. Your unknown bird almost looks like the Pine Siskin we have here.

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  21. What absolute beauties Margaret - I think my favourite is the Mousebird.

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  22. A great series of bird photos but that first Sunbird is really spectacular!

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  23. Such a colourful array of birds and lovely to see so many different ones.

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  24. Oh I want one of the male sunbirds in MY yard please!!

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  25. A splendid selection Margaret. The Sunbirds have such spectacular plumage but the common waxbill has a soft charm all it's own. The mouse bird id adorable too. The snakes would not deterred me from going back there, after all they just want to live in peace too. Just wear loose trousers, solid boots and watch your step.

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  26. HA! Your guess is better than mine. Isn't it crazy when we travel somewhere and it's like starting all over again? Awesome birds! As for the snakes.......

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  27. Please do be more careful, Margaret - we want you around sharing your adventures for a long time to come! These are wonderful shots! I'm sure someone can help you identify that bird, your shots are perfect!

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  28. My goodness, such colorful friends you've found!

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  29. Some real unique beauties in this series Margaret!

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  30. Hi Margaret, stunning shots of a beautiful selection of birds. I wish I'd had more notice; I think I would have wanted to come with you to see birds of Malawi. I never, ever correct/criticize people on anything they post about. Especially not birds and wildlife, because I'm no expert; just love birding. But seeing as you asked me on my blog today to come over and help with the ID, here's my take: Instead of Miombo DC Sunbird I thought it might be Eastern DC Sunbird. It has a yellow shoulder which Miombo lacks. An excellent sighting! Yellow-bellied Sunbird is also known as Variable; perfect ID. I see this male had blue head, ours here shows more turquoise head - hence Variable! The Common Waxbill is a Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu female, but as it looks so fluffy, it could be a juvenile. The streaky bird with a yellow fleck? I'm going to ask Grant to check at lunch time. I love LBJ's and hope I can help with this one. Thanks for sharing ! I wish I had been there, but failing that I look forward to seeing it all on your blog! Jo

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    1. HI Jo Very many thanks for your help on ID for these birds. I appreciate it very much. I have written to you on email. as your services will be required again!!!

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  31. Gosh you saw a nice variety of birds (Glad you didn't see any snakes). I really like the Sunbird, a pretty name for a very pretty bird. Also liked theSpeckled Mousebird.

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  32. You're pretty brave, Margaret, to venture out into the countryside alone.
    Gorgeous, colorful birds. I love the Pied Crow!

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  33. Such beautiful birds in Malawi. To think you saw all these on one walk! Since it turned out well, I'm glad you didn't know about the snakes until your return, or you wouldn't have gone out!

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  34. The colours of your first few birds are exotic and so beautiful.

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  35. Those yellow bellies have the most amazing colours!
    I love that you have some sparrows too.....

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