The first face we saw as we came out of the arrivals gate at Johannesburg was that of Keith Barnes of Tropical Birding, packed and ready to head straight off to go birding.  Hire car sorted and essential snacks and water supplies sorted, we headed out into the Johannesburg traffic.  Luckily we soon left this behind, and in no time at all we were picking up new birds along the roadside as we headed south towards Wakkerstroom.  Target birding only, we jumped in and out of the car in quick time as we saw new species  and added them to the list: Long tailed Widowbird, Swainson’s Francolin, South African Cliff Swallow.  A brief stop at Suikerbosrand where we added Cape and Black throated Canary, then we hit the road hard to eat up the miles to Wakkerstroom.  Here we’d arranged to meet local bird guide, Lucky, who quickly caught on to the pace of our birding and wouldn’t allow us the luxury of spending too long gazing at species already on our list.  But no matter, there were plenty of great new birds to pick up:  Blue Bustard for starters.  Then we were out of the car and crossing the stubble grassland looking for larks: Red-capped and Pink-billed Larks we quickly picked out foraging on the ground, as were Rufous-naped and Eastern Clapper Larks, then we were on the chase for Rudd’s Lark.  First we heard the call and once again spread out and quartered the field until at last we saw our target bird, a hard bird to get but no time to relax, we were back in the car again and bouncing along the rough farm roads looking for something larger this time.  Scopes were needed but we still enjoyed good views of Blue Cranes in a field across the valley. 
By now, the wind direction had done a complete about-turn.  Gone was the sunshine and gentle warm breeze we’d enjoyed for most of the day.  Suddenly a very chill wind was blowing from the south, the temperature dropped like a stone as we piled on fleeces and gloves.  This really felt more like winter.  The wind picked up harder and harder, making our birding even tougher as birds sought shelter from the harsh wind.  Our owling plans had to be abandoned as the wind just increased in strength all evening, though it didn’t stop us adding Spotted Eagle Owl to the list in the fading daylight. 
We were lulled into a false sense of security the next morning at Wakkerstroom as we headed out before dawn.  Our cottage was obviously in a very sheltered spot, and as we drove out into the hills again, the wind was unfortunately still blowing incredibly hard and it looked as if our birding would be no easier today.  Down by the wetlands just outside town was slightly sheltered and still muffled up to the eyebrows we added new birds to our list: African Snipe, African Rail and African Marsh Harrier.  Then we picked up Lucky again and headed out along the Utrecht Road.  Birding conditions were still tough but with local knowledge we picked Buff-streaked Chat and Sentinel Rock Thrush. Heading back into town we looked for Secretary Birds which we knew were nesting in the area.  Happily for us the landowner came by and invited us onto his land so that we could look for the birds from the next hilltop without disturbing them. 
Leaving Lucky at Wakkerstroom we headed further southeast towards Mkuze, sadly with the bad weather following us.  Arriving too late to enter the park, we birded the area all around it and despite strong winds and then thunder and lightening we added Brown-headed Kingfisher, Burnt-necked Eremomola and White-throated Robin-Chat.  This brought us tantalisingly close to the big 3000, but we’re just one bird short.  All to play for tomorrow, so what will be bird number 3000.  But as we’re starting pre-dawn again tomorrow, we won’t have long to wait to find out!
Bird species total: 2999 species
Posted 28th August, Ghost Mountain Inn, Mkuze National Park, South Africa