Sue Oertli gets number 22 in her Gauteng Wader Challenge.

We recently heard from Sue of Wader Quest South Africa that she had managed to see a bird that we missed both there and in The Gambia; Bronze-winged Courser. At least she knows where they are now for our return visit (should we ever be lucky enough to get there).

Sue Wrote: "Success! A weekend visit to Wolfhuiskraal Guest Farm near Pienaarsriver produced Bronze-winged Courser for Wader Watch on Friday evening. This bird was photographed on the farm but a few more of the species were seen en route back from the Kgomo Kgomo floodplain. 22 waders now photographed for Wader Quest."

Bronze-winged Courser Rhinoptilus chalcopterus; Wolfhuiskraal Guest Farm, nr Pienaarsriver, Gauteng, South Africa.
Photo: Sue Oertli.

The Bronze-winged Courser is a tricky bird to see as it is by and large nocturnal but these shots show that with luck you can get to see them during the day. The species is quite widespread across central and Sub-Saharan Africa across to Senegal and The Gambia and is considered to be of Least Concern by BirdLife International. Where we tried to see them was at both extremes of their range.

Bronze-winged Courser Rhinoptilus chalcopterus; Wolfhuiskraal Guest Farm, nr Pienaarsriver, Gauteng, South Africa.
Photo: Sue Oertli.

Thanks Sue and keep up the great birding effort.