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Gulls of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East: An Identification Guide

10,000 Birds

In field guides I’ve seen many beautiful gull paintings, where I couldn’t help asking myself: however alluring they may be, is the JIZZ just right? Gulls of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East” compares similar taxa and addresses the complexities of identifying hybrids (something I will never master, with this book or without it).

Europe 244
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Birding the Eshowe area, South Africa

10,000 Birds

These Hadada Ibis were right in the garden of the place where we stayed. The Purple-crested Turaco is the national bird of Eswatini, which given that this country is the last absolute monarchy in Africa and the country with the world’s highest HIV prevalence is probably not much of an honor. It must be frustrating.

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Birding Hluhluwe, South Africa

10,000 Birds

Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa – it was established in 1895. I guess most scientists would love to see their original research become the basis for a vast field of further studies. Serves the bird right for not living close to European ornithologists. Poor creatures.

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“The Birder’s Guide to Africa” by Michael Mills

10,000 Birds

Starting in the mid-1990s, there was a “where to watch birds in…” series of five site guides written by Nigel Wheatley and covering South America (1994), Africa (1995), Asia (1996), Europe & Russia (2000) and Central America & the Caribbean (2001). I was always curious, but never had a chance to study any of them.

Africa 176
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Pink in Africa

10,000 Birds

Of course Africa could not to be left out of the pink weekend so I have researched all African species whose official or alternative names include the word “pink”. Definitely my personal favorite of Africa’s pink birds is the delicate Pink-throated Twinspot. There are certainly some stunners involved. Pink-throated Twinspot.

Africa 220
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“Peacocks and Picathartes: Reflections on Africa’s Birdlife”

10,000 Birds

I did that with Peacocks & Picathartes – Reflections on Africa’s birdlife (published by Penguin Random House South Africa ). In case you didn’t know, yes, there is an indigenous peacock living in Africa, the Congo Peafowl. He has authored several other books and many articles, largely on natural history.

Congo 264
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Flock to Marion

10,000 Birds

Birdlife South Africa has previously done two of these types of trips before, previously called Flock to Sea – Namibia in 2013 and Flock to Nowhere in 2017, in partnership with MSC Cruises. I learned of the trip right as it had been delayed and made a vow that I would be on that ship.