Merops persicus

Generally preferring savanna and to a lesser degree open lakes shores, this beautiful palearctic breeding migrant arrives in southern Africa from October to November, and leaves for its Eurasian breeding grounds in the period from March to May.

I first recorded this common summer migrant in February 2010 on the Kgomom Kgomo bridge in the North West Province of Gauteng. My best site for this species is Mkhombo Dam Nature Reserve. There are lots of “tyre-destroying” stumps and branches for them to perch on and this allows for great photographic opportunities.