Ixobrychus sturmii

This very small, dark-backed heron is an uncommon intra-African migrant, which follows the seasonal rains.

When I heard that they could be seen at Kgomo Kgomo in times of flood, I could not wait for the first wet season to arrive. The moment finally came in February 2011 when key areas of Kgomo Kgomo flooded and the conditions were just right for these “special” herons to pitch up. I was not to be dissapointed and had great sightings of these awesome birds on two separate occasions. I can’t wait to see them again.