specials

Top 10 Birds:

1. Taita Falcon
2. Pel's Fishing Owl
3. White-backed Night Heron
4. Orange Ground-thrush
5. Black-fronted Bush Shrike
6. African Finfoot
7. Southern Bald Ibis
8. African Barred Owlet
9. White-crowned Lapwing
10. Cape Vulture

1. Taita Falcon

A small falcon, approximately the same size as a Laughing Dove, with a short tail, typically pointed wings, dark grey back, pale throat and rufous chest. It also has distinctive rufous patches on the nape. The Taita Falcon is an extremely rare species with sparse distribution down the eastern escarpment of Africa from the Taita Hills in Kenya to northern South Africa. Approximately six pairs can be found along the northern Drakensberg escarpment with the pair at the Strydom Tunnel being the most accessible. The Taita Falcon feeds solely on smaller birds and is incredibly fast, being able to catch swallows, swifts and particularly Rock Martins in flight. The bird nests before the summer rains, August to October, in clefts on rock faces of suitable gorges and is easily overlooked due to its size and tendency to perch, almost motionless, on a ledge for long periods of time. A very specialised bird with specific habitat requirements. The Taita Falcon is threatened by human disturbance, competition by other species for nest sites and decimation of prey.

Location:

Lat: S 24°27'35.6"
Lon: E 30°36'37.5"

The Abel Erasmus Pass on the R 531 is home to a breeding pair of Taita Falcons. Contact birding site guide Michael Kumako on 0792611559 for assistance. Michael is equipped with a Bushnell spotting scope for your convenience. Michael's Bushnell spotting scope has kindly been sponsored by Inkwazi Bird Club.

2. Pel's Fishing Owl

Pel's Fishing Owl is something of an enigma with Southern African birders. A very large owl, ginger to rufous in colour with dark streaks and spots and large black eyes. Immature birds are paler than adults. The fishing owl hunts at night from overhanging trees 1 to 2 meters above the water. They heavily rely on sound to catch surfacing fish. Breeding time in the Lowveld is typically from March to April. The bird is rare in South Africa and is listed as Vulnerable in the Red Data Book. Habitat destruction and deteriorating ecological conditions of river systems, due to water pollution, pose the greatest threat to the Pel's Fishing Owl.

Location:

Olifants Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park offers a daily guided River Walk which departs directly after the conclusion of the Morning Walk. Guests may request to search for the Pel's Fishing Owl on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Please note that the trip to the Pel's Fishing Owls will take place at the guide's discretion. Visiting during the dry winter months will increase your chances of sighting these elusive bird.

3. White-backed Night Heron

A medium-sized heron with a black head, white eye-patch and conspicuous white region that dominates the center of the dark brown to black back. The rest of the body is rufous to brown with the exception of the throat, which is white. The White-backed Night Heron has a black bill with yellow legs and feet. Primarily restricted to the eastern and northern reaches of South Africa where in frequents the riparian zone of quiet rivers and streams. Predominantly nocturnal, solitary and less frequently in pairs. Listed as uncommon to rare in Southern Africa.

Location:

The Blyde River and Swadini Dam is an excellent area to look for the White-backed Night Heron. Contact birding site guide Abednego Maibela on 0723821846 for assistance.

4. Orange Ground-thrush

This small, shy and elusive bird may be identified by its dark brown upper parts and two characteristically white wing bars. It has predominantly orange under parts with a white belly and undertail. Another characteristic feature is a small white patch behind the dark brown eye. It has a black bill and light pink legs and feet. The moderately crepuscular Orange Ground-thrush occurs solitary or in pairs in montane forest where it forages the forest floor for insects, worms and fruits. It is classified as an uncommon resident which may partake in seasonal altitudinal movement.

Location:

Orange Ground-thrush is comparatively reliable on the Bush Pig forest walk in the Mariepskop Nature Reserve. They may be located by their call in the early morning approximately 1 to 2 km into the trail.

5. Black-fronted Bush Shrike

Medium sized Bush Shrike that occupies the canopy of the thick montane forests of the north-eastern Drakensberg escarpment of South Africa. The next closest Black-fronted Bush Shrike population can be found in the eastern highlands of neighbouring Zimbabwe. The crown, nape and mantle is grey with the lores, ear coverts and sides of neck being black. Under parts dominated by a bright orange-red breast and subsequently fading to a yellow belly. The bill and legs are black. Generally a solitary bird, but may be found in mixed bird parties. Uncommon localised resident.

Location:

The montane forests of Mariepskop Nature Reserve is the only area along the Kruger to Canyons Birding Route where one may encounter the Black-fronted Bush-Shrike. The Bush Pig forest walk is once again the most reliable site.

6. African Finfoot

The African Finfoot frequents quiet regions of streams, rivers and dams where dense and overhanging riparian vegetation dominates. They are markedly shy and generally solitary or in pairs as they forage for insects, crabs, fish and frogs. A thin white stripe from behind the brown eye separates a grey lower head and neck from an almost black upper half of the head and neck. The back is dark brown with white spots, especially so in male birds. Its long tail is characteristically held flat on the water as it moves through the water with a low body position. The bill, legs and feet are unmistakeably bright red. The African Finfoot is an uncommon resident to the higher rainfall areas of east, north-east and northern South Africa.

Location:

The Blyde River is arguably the most reliable river system in which to find the African Finfoot in north-eastern South Africa. Otters Den River Lodge, one of the Kruger to Canyons Birding Route's Birder Friendly Establishments has remarkably reliable resident birds.

The bridge across the Blyde River in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve near the Swadini Dam is also an extremely reliable spotting location. Early mornings and late afternoons seem to offer the best chances of viewing the resident African Finfoots. Alternatively try spotting African Finfoot from a leisurely boat cruise on the Swadini Dam. Contact birding site guide Abednego Maibela on 0723821846 for assistance.

7. Southern Bald Ibis

Highly gregarious endemic bird associated with high altitude grassveld areas where they feed on snails, insects, frogs and worms. Generally breeds in mountainous regions (July to October) close to their foraging areas. Medium sized Ibis with an overall dark green iridescence. Red head, bill and dull red legs with a bare white to cream head. Uncommon resident.

Location:

The Southern Bald Ibis can be seen in the California Tribal Area along the Abel Erasmus Pass on the R 531 where they frequent burnt and overgrazed pastures and cultivated lands.

8. African Barred Owlet

Recognised by its small size, entirely barred head, lack of ear tufts, honey coloured eyes and distinctive barring across the chest. The upper parts are brown with narrow barring and two characteristic rows of white spots down the back. White from the chest downwards and covered with brown spots while the bill and feet are grey. Locally common resident, but restricted to the eastern and north-eastern South Africa with exception to the Kenton-on-sea, Bathurst population in the eastern Cape and the Hluleka Nature Reserve in Transkei. The African Barred Owlet is officially classified as rare in the Red Data Book.

Location:

Toro Yaka Bush Lodge, one of the Kruger to Canyons Birding Route's Birder Friendly Establishments, have resident African Barred Owlets on the lodge premises. They are exceptionally reliable.

9. White-crowned Lapwing

Medium sized Lapwing generally restricted to the north-eastern drainage systems of South Africa such as the Limpopo, Olifants and Levhuvu Rivers. The White-crowned Lapwing is characterised by a broad white crown on a contrasting grey head and neck. Large yellow wattles hang from the base of a primarily yellow bill with a black tip. The chest and belly is all white. A broad white stripe appears between the chestnut coloured back and black wing when the bird is at rest. Its status confirms it as a fairly common resident, but is listed as Rare in the Red Data Book of South Africa.

Location:

Can be sited along the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park. Alternatively join Olifants River Safaris in Phalaborwa for a leisurely bird watching cruise on the great Olifants River. Cruises depart twice daily and have an excellent record of locating White-crowned Lapwing amongst other water and Bushveld birds. Contact Leon 0828894797 for more information.

10. Cape Vulture

A large pale coloured vulture with a white cap and large hooked bill. When compared to a White-backed Vulture, the Cape Vulture is much larger and much paler in appearance and has a honey coloured eye. Cape Vultures normally breed in colonies. The Cape Vulture forages over open grassland and woodland and is dependent on tall cliffs for breeding. There are approximately 4000 pairs in South Africa of which the fourth largest breeding colony, Manoutsa, has approximately 500 pairs. Cape Vultures are winter breeders and most produce a single egg between mid-May and mid-July. The Cape Vulture is endemic to Southern Africa and is threatened by food shortages, poisoning, muti collecting and collisions with power lines. Its range has contracted throughout South Africa and Lesotho and is now extinct as a breeding species in Swaziland. The Cape Vulture is listed as Vulnerable in South Africa.

Location:

Cape Vultures can be observed from the Taita Falcon site (see Taita Falcon above) at mid-morning as they catch thermals and rise up above the cliffs.

The Grietjie Vulture Restaurants south of Phalaborwa is also a good site from which to observe all five, locally occurring, Vultures. Carcasses are deposited on Saturday mornings and the bulk of the feeding activity takes place during the mid-morning.