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Robert Ball

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Robbie developed a passion for the African bush from many visits to his family’s small holding in a greater conservancy just outside Johannesburg. Living in the big city his whole life, he always found refuge in the outdoors and has grown to appreciate ...

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15 Comments

on My 10 Favourite Bird Calls At Londolozi

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Your features, Robbie, are always tip-top. Enjoyed listening to the varied calls. When I’m there I look forward to hearing the tympanic sounds of the Southern ground hornbill. Someone described it as the echoey hum when you blow into an empty bottle

Thank you so much, Robbie, for these lovely bird calls! Hearing them brings back so many wonderful memories of my safaris. I love birdsong above all other sounds. Here in Switzerland, they are the harbinger of spring after long dark winter days. In Londolozi they are the background music of the most wonderful experiences with animals one can have. I love walking along the path that links all your camps and to listen to the different bird calls you can hear there. No morning without the specific morning calls and no evening without the calls of nightjars or owls or other night creatures. I am so glad that there are still lots of birds somewhere in the world.

Thank you so much for sharing your recordings. The Woodland Kingfisher brought me right back to Londolozi where I saw and photographed this lovely bird.

Thank you so much for this, Robbie – listening to these calls with my eyes closed, I really felt I was back there! My absolute favourite is the Woodland Kingfisher and if I also see it, that’s a bonus with its beautiful plumage.

What a great idea for the blog!! Loved hearing all these calls accompanied by photos and descriptions. I listened over and over again! Look forward to returning and recognizing more birds!! Thank you Robbie!

Robert, I really enjoyed listening to the different bird calls. I especially liked the Burchellis caucal depp call. Thank you for sharing.

Really well done,Robert ! Birds don`t get enough attention on the blog and this was so cool combining the picture of the bird with its sounds-Awesome .

Senior Digital Ranger

A great article, Robert, the birdsong is arguably the most evocative feature of being in the South African bush. I would certainly not rank them among my favorite calls, but I know exactly where I am as soon as I hear a Natal spurfowl squawking its alarm call, or a pair of Egyptian geese engaging in a little “friendly” debate!

Love this post! Hearing all the birds is so cool!

Dear Robbie, thats a special story from Londolozi. feeling like home to hear the audios. Fantastic.

I love the bird calls and I have heard some of them here on the reserve where we stay. My ultimate favorite is the African Fish eagle call and then the Fiery Night Jar.
Not forgetting the loud Woodlands Kingfisher. We have heard the Madagascar Cuckoo 2 years in a row know. Could never spot it but we heard it. Everyone was so excited because it does not actually live here, but 2 years ago this Cockoo arrived here and everyone from Far and near came looking for this bird. Thanks Robbie this was a wonder surprise to hear these beautiful calls from these 10 birds you chose.

What about the grey go-away bird?! I know people laugh as it is common and somewhat annoying, but when I hear it and know I’m in South
Africa. Thanks so much for including the bird calls and whilst I don’t have enough time to memorize them as I’m arriving at the end of the week. I’ll try! Your posts are always interesting and informative so thank you.

That was excellent. Most enjoyable. Thank you.

Hi, all birds and pictures are superb and i love the Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, I wish I could be there! I wanted to visit Londolozi in spring but this year I can’t (it’s fall here). The Scops Owls I miss them so much. Last summer I heard maybe just one…. too much light I think. There’s the wood here and room for them. By postponing I missed the Three Rivers young female and the Nkoveni duo and the Tsalala ‘s cubs! Sigh

Oh wow. Thank you so much for this. It helps me identify some of the birds while watching your weekly safaris. My favourite bird songs are the Crested Barbet, the Grey Loerie and the Black Masked Weaver. I grew up with these sounds in the outskirts of the West Rand of Joburg before it got all built up.

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