Birding on the North Coast is spectacular. So far about 460 species of birds have been identified. Expectations are that with the development of the birding route, the final tally will exceed the 500 mark. This concentrated biodiversity is due to the location at a major ecological transition zone with a great variety of habitats including the coast with many estuaries and lagoons, rare grasslands, a diverse range of forests and woodlands as well as upland cliffs, gorges and valleys. The impressive Tugela River is at the core of the region, which stretches from Kranskop inland and along the coast from Tinley Manor in the South, covering the Umvoti and Zinkwazi areas, to Amatikulu in the North. The species richness is also evident amongst other life forms. The area boasts the greatest diversity of butterflies and the greatest concentration of the elusive Bushbuck in the country. It also competes with the best in terms of tree and habitat diversity, and is home to many plant, insect, reptile and mammal endemics.
This rich region has attracted man since pre-historic times. It was here that King Shaka founded the Zulu Nation and where the colonists started the Anglo-Zulu War. Modern agriculture has had an impact on the landscape, nonetheless there still is an abundance of spectacular natural habitat with some of the best birding in the country yet very few birders are aware of what is available! A good sighting of the East Coast Littoral specials is guaranteed, with excellent chances of finding African Wattle-eye and Finfoot, Spotted Groundthrush, Black Coucal, Malkoha, Yellow Wagtail, Baillons Crake, African Rail, Brown-throated Weaver, Green Twinspot, Collared Pratincole, Swamp Nightjar, Bat Hawk and Bald-headed Ibis.
Contact Zululand Birding on +27(0)35 753 5644 or Klaus on +27 (0)32 485 3344.
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