Ringing near Wild Geese Lodge

The area we ringed in is not strictly part of the Wild Geese Lodge Game Park, so we didn't access the ringing spot through there. With our hands full of poles, nets and other ringing equipment, we left the car on the side of the road and walked about 500m (it seemed much further in the dark!) to a grassy area scattered with acacia trees. We set up nets along a couple of the paths, by which time the sun had decided to make an appearance. 

Shortly afterwards, we saw a raptor flying around, shrieking as it did so. Upon closer inspection it turned out to be a Bat Hawk! It showed very well and then landed in a stand of eucalyptus trees, where I later photographed it.

Bat Hawk flying around.

...And in a tree later in the day.

Ringing was not particularly successful, although some nice birds were caught such as Rattling and Red-faced Cisticolas and White-browed Scrub-robins.

Rattling Cisticola

All the action, however, was happening about 20 meters off the ground; Some sort of creeper (I don't know the name) that grows high up in other trees was flowering, and dozens of sunbirds were feasting upon the nectar. Western Violet-backed Sunbird was there, as well as Miombo Double-collared, Variable, White-bellied, Scarlet-chested, Amethyst and a probable Purple-banded Sunbird. Other birds were feeding here too - Weavers, White-eyes, Barbets and Bulbuls just to name a few. I heard a Burnt-necked Eremomela in the acacia trees. I personally saw or heard 55 species that morning, which is not bad for a morning concentrated on ringing.