birding sites

The best birding areas along the North Coast are:

15.1 - Tugela Estuary

This includes the river and floodplain on the South Bank. Follow the signs from the R102 (for security does do not leave your vehicle unattended). On the beach numerous gulls and terns roost at night, and in the early mornings this can be a very rewarding area to look at with many rarities to see. These include the occasional Black and European Oystercatchers. Further inland the river meanders between sandbanks and numerous waders, ducks and herons feed along this stretch. The riverbanks are flanked by giant Sycamores and very productive wetlands, revealing specials such as Red-faced and Rufous-winged Cisticolas, Osprey, Lanner Falcon and spectacular Heronries. There is naturally the normal quota of Fish Eagles and some birders have been lucky enough to see juvenile Palmnut Vultures from time to time.

15.2 - Dlokwane Forest

South of the Tugela Estuary is a most wonderful example of rare climax coastal lowland forest. Access is only possible with a local guide. Common birds in the forest are Crested Guineafowl, Dark-capped Weaver, Blue-mantled Flycatcher, Olive Woodpecker, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Terrestrial Brownbul and Spotted Ground-Thrush in winter. There is also a pair of Black-breasted Snake Eagles nesting in the forest, along with many smaller raptors. The forest itself supports an extremely high population of Blue Duiker, Bushbuck, Bushpig, Porcupine and numerous smaller mammals.

15.3 - Harold Johnson Nature Reserve

On the Tugela South Bank, within sight of the coast, this Ezimvelo KZN Wildlife reserve offers a mixture of habitats from coastal grassland through scrub to dry forests. There are two trails, the shorter Remedies & Rituals and the extensive Bushbuck trail. This eco-diverse area has the highest butterfly diversity in South Africa matched by an awesome tree diversity and an appropriately interesting variety of specials including Striped Pipit, Olive, Gorgeous and Grey-headed Bush Shrikes and Red-fronted Tinkerbirds. The spectacular promontory is also on a major flight path for raptors and many can be seen from time to time.

15.4 - Gumbi Trails

Situated on private land with 10 km's of Tugela frontage and adjoining Harold Johnson. Access is only possible with a local guide. In the forests one will come across Emerald Cuckoo and there is also a pair of Crowned Eagles which have been breeding for a good number of years. In the cliffs numerous raptors have been seen breeding including Gymnogene, Yellow-billed Kite and Lanner Falcons. This area has many trails through the bush and forests and if you move through slowly you will find Yellow-bellied Greenbuls and Terrestrial Brownbuls, Natal Robin, Black-bellied Starling and many more birds.

15.5 - Ingwenya Nature Reserve

This reserve is on the Tugela North bank just east of Mandeni. This is also a mixed habitat reserve with grasslands, riverine woodland, valley forest in small patches and acacia scrub and bush. This leads to a wide diversity of birds including Yellow-throated Longclaw, Striped Pipit, African Pipit, Long-tailed Wagtail on the stream and the normal bush and forest birds.

15.6 - The Zinkwazi Road and Zinkwazi Lagoon

Between the highway off-ramp and Darnall – offers some good birding on private land and a local guide is recommended. On the northern side of the Zinkwazi road are a series of IRRIGATION PONDS and dams with adjoining sedges amongst the cane fields. Hottentot Teal, White-faced Duck, Egyptian Goose, Brown-throated Martin, Malachite Kingfisher, Wood and Common Sandpiper are always present. Little Bittern has also been seen and at dusk or dawn look out for Shelley's Francolin and Natal Spurfowl. NYATIGAZE HILL behind DARNALL is the highest point in the whole area with bush clad slopes hosting species not normally associated with the coast. The greens in Darnall also regularly support Bald-headed Ibis.

Zinkazi Lagoon - This is an estuarine system that is not common on the rest of the coast. You are likely to see Brown-throated Weavers, a good assortment of warblers, Little Bittern, Black Crake, Goliath and Purple and Greenbacked Herons. In the reedbeds and in the overhanging riverine trees African Finfoot is often seen early in the mornings. Recently Mangrove Kingfisher has taken up permanent residence all year round. Canoes are available to explore the extensive habitats and find the rare skulkers. Cruises also run on a regular basis, or can be arranged. Along the lagoon is a veritable coastal forest paradise yielding one of the highest counts of north coast specials for birders. Expect to see African Wattle-eye, Grey and Olive and Collared Sunbirds, Yellow Weaver, White-eared Barbet, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Green Twinspot, Square-tailed Drongo, Trumpeter Hornbill, Green Pigeon, Pygmy Kingfisher, Scalythroated Honeyguide, Red-billed and African Firefinches.

15.7 - Nkonka Trail(Dlokwane Forest)

North of Zinkwazi the habitat mix supports the highest concentration of bushbuck in the country. This trail follows the coast northwards towards the Tugela and meanders through coastal dune forest, sugar cane fields, the beach with rock pools, stretches of beautiful coastal grasslands, scrubland and vleis. The numerous bird species on the trail include Dark-capped Weaver, Terrestrial Brownbul, Crested Guineafowl, Shelley's Francolin and Natal Spurfowl, Little Bee-eater, Zitting Cisticola, Fan-tailed and Red-collared Widows and of course when you emerge onto the beach the numerous tern species that abound in the area.

15.8 - Lala Trails

Access to these private trails south of Zinkwazi is only possible with a local guide. This trail explores extensive FLATCROWN WOODLAND and coastal lowland forest, yielding Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Scimitarbill, Buffspotted Flufftail and even Levaillant's Cisticola in the canefields. It continues through mature DUNE FOREST, following the crest of the dune wandering through huge Coastal Red Milkwoods. This area hides some fascinating birds such as Cinnamon & Tambourine Doves, Yellowbellied Greenbul and many others, as well as offering whale watching in season. There is also a nesting pair of Fish Eagles in the dune forest.

15.9/16.1 - The Nonoti Estuary

It offers a wide variety of wetland habitats with many surprises for the patient birder. It continues on the NONOTI FLOODPLAIN with a combination of riverine grassland, and riverine scrub changing to riverine forest. This area has a wide diversity of birds including Yellow-throated Longclaw, Rufous-winged Cisticola, Redheaded Quelea, Common Quail, Woolly-necked Stork and the southernmost population of White-fronted Bee-eaters.

16.2 - SAPPI Tranquila

From the STANGER N2 highway off-ramp follow the signs to the Sappi Mill gates, where you collect the keys. On the northern bank of the Umvoti between the Mbozambo and Ntshaweni streams is the SAPPI TRANQUILA BIRD HIDE. During the summer months it is a place where one often sees Yellow Wagtail, African Rail and Baillon's Crake along with the normal mix of ducks, geese and waders. Recently Spotted Crake and Corn Crake were seen at the hide. If one keeps a good lookout another coastal special seen fairly often is Purplebanded Sunbird along with Scarletchested Sunbird. Downstream of the hide the MBOZAMBO WETLAND continues with many interesting species to be found, including Finfoot. When the river is very full the waders seem to move into this area as a temporary feeding ground, and thus if Jex's Estate is not rewarding this site normally is!

16.3 - Ethembeni Commons

Opposite the N2 highway off-ramp to UMVOTI mouth travel inland towards GROUTVILLE for about 1 km to see moist grassland on your right where Black Coucal is often seen during wet summers, and they were also observed breeding there. There are also the normal grassland species and we have seen Pale-crowned Cisticola there on occasions, along with Yellow-throated Longclaw.

16.5 - Otimati

About 30kms inland from Stanger, north of the R74 are the spectacular Otimati and Tugela valleys. Habitats include upland grassland, cliffs and gorges with scarp forest, extensive valley bush, riverine forest and wetlands. Specials include Raptors, Bald-headed Ibis as well as many species not normally found in coastal habitats.

13.5 - Amatikulu

The turnoff is clearly signposted off the N2 to this beautiful Ezimvelo KZN Wildlife reserve. It is surrounded by tribal areas as well as farmlands, which are also very productive for specials such as Collared Pratincole. The reserve conserves some of the largest remaining areas of coastal grassland as well as palmveld and the diversity of LBJ's is enough to drive the beginner mad but it is also a great place to learn them. Croaking Cisticola is probably one of the easier ones and is common. The grassland supports both Little and White-fronted Bee-eater in fair numbers as well as numerous large antelope. The forest and bush areas have numerous specials including Grey Waxbill, three Bush Shrikes, Bat Hawk, Blue-mantled Flycatcher and many more. The wetlands at the southern end of the reserve are home to more delights including Painted Snipe, Little Bittern, Swamp Nightjar and Collared Pratincole among the numerous warblers and other skulkers. The estuary is also a good area for waders and waterfowl. Canoes with guides are available to paddle you to all the right habitats on the extensive lagoons, where even African Finfoot has been spotted. A whale-watching tower with spectacular views of the twin estuaries and the newly formed SIYAYA MARINE RESERVE is also easily accessible.

St. Kitts Wetlands

"Situated off the R 102 north of the Tugela and inland from Amatikulu. Access is only possible with a local guide. A tropical paradise on a private sugar cane farm consisting of a series of shallow dams with extensive sedges and riverine trees as well as acacia bush complimented by patches of grassland. The abundance and variety of species is impressive. Eastern Nicator has been seen, which is the southernmost sighting of the species, as well as Black Coucal and Baillon's Crake. Common species include Pygmy Goose, White-backed Duck, Lesser Jacana, Lesser Moorhen, Little Bittern, all the Egrets, Blue-billed Firefinch, Cape and Yellow-throated Longclaw and a good selection of Warblers.