14 Mar 2019: Port Nolloth

The corrugation on the Northern Cape dirt roads was taking its toll on Daai Dêng. In Bushmanland I had to replace the nuts and bolts securing my spotlights. This time a spotlight bracket sheared right off and I had to have it welded in Port Nolloth.

The target bird in this area was Barlow’s Lark, a restricted range species distributed from Port Nolloth northwards to Alexander Bay and then into Namibia to Luderitz. Most of this terrain is not accessible due to extensive diamond mining. A further complication is that it hybridises with the Karoo Lark near Port Nolloth, and the ABA rules for a Big Year clearly states that no hybrid species may be counted.

Karoo Lark, 15km east of Port Nolloth

I spent a few hours searching for the lark near Port Nolloth, but with no success. That evening Rob de Rover came to the rescue indicating the most likely places to find both the Barlow’s- and the Karoo Lark. The next morning, before sunrise, I was 50 km north of Port Nolloth on the Alexander Bay road, and soon ticked a pair of Barlow’s Larks. On my way back to Springbok, exactly were Rob indicated, I found the Karoo Lark. It helps to have well-connected friends in the birding community!

Barlow's Lark, 50km north of Port Nolloth