SUMMER BIRDING TRIP: Day Seven: Moremi Game Reserve

On the morning of our last day in Africa, we took a boat trip into the lagoon near the lodge. As previously, we were lead by Letz. Once more, his excellent guiding lead us to see all of our target species in the lagoon. Just before boarding the boat, I spotted a secretive black crake strolling across the lawn. Though it vanished into the reeds when I approached, I managed to get one distant photo of it.

The black crake is usually seen hiding in reeds, so I was lucky to spot one in the open

Along with many hippo and young Nile crocodiles, a wide variety of birds were present. The thick reedbeds of the lagoon held little bitterns, blue-cheeked bee-eaters, black crakes, fan-tailed widowbirds, Luapula cisticolas and chirping cisticolas. Pied kingfishers fished the water from overhanging plants. Several goliath herons, along with one rufous-bellied heron, flew overhead while we travelled through the lagoon's many channels. Areas of floating vegetation held both African and lesser jacanas. Three African elephants, as well as several red lechwe, were seen on the banks of the lagoon. Finally, African pygmy-geese were resting in some of the more secluded channels of the lagoon.

Hippo frequent shallow areas, where they can walk on the lakebed

The Okavango Delta is one of the best places in Africa to see little bitterns

The many young Nile crocodiles we saw seemed unafraid of our boat

The blue-cheeked bee-eater is a summer migrant to southern Africa

This male African pygmy-goose can be told from the female by its green markings

The female fan-tailed widowbird is much drabber than this male

The lesser jacanas we saw on the lagoon were very approachable

We returned at around 9.30 am and immediately had to pack our bags for the drive to the airstrip. We said our goodbyes, then headed onward. On the drive, we saw many impalas and one new species of antelope, a common reedbuck. Along the road were our last two lifers in Botswana: an African hoopoe darting in front of our jeep and a Southern yellow-billed hornbill that allowed me to get a few photos. As we waited for the light aircraft to arrive, a white-backed vulture and distant bateleur were seen soaring high above the woodland. 

Apparently, the Southern yellow-billed hornbill is one of Botswana's commonest birds

The common reedbuck is rarely found away from water

This trip was easily the best trip I've ever done, with close views of rare and beautiful birds and mammals. It was certainly a great start to the new year.