Twitching the specials at Mkhombo Dam...

Around the end of November the mail came through with the latest SA Rarity Bird News. A Pectoral Sandpiper had been picked up at Mkhombo Dam by my friend, Mary and her cousing Michal during the Big Birding Day event.

And as people were streaming from everywhere to pick up this specie relatively close to home, a male Pygmy Goose were also reported, as well as a Ruddy Turnstone. And to top it all, a beautiful Spotted Crake popped out to see what all this fuss was about :-)
So on Sunday the 5th December my husband, son and I went through as well. We were fortunate to see the Pygmy goose, of which I saw my lifer at Leeupan in the Kruger National Park in February 2009.
Soon after we spotted the Pectoral Sandpipers....but they were a just too far for my lens. And my mind was suddenly side tracked too, so I was in a hurry to leave.
Got the lifer in the pocket though.
The Monday late afternoon, another friend Lizet phoned, picked me up and we rushed through to Mkhombo again....mainly to try for the crake. But it was really windy and we had no luck in spotting the crake. I did however then got decent shots of the Pectoral Sandpipers....
Here are a few of the photies:

Marsh Sandpiper ~

Wood Sandpiper ~


Ruff ~


Pectoral Sandpiper ~ lifer number 638


African Pygmy Goose ~