Birding in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Crowned Eagle
Photo: KZN Wildlife
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- Photo Tour: KZN Birds -
The 'Kingdom of the Zulu'is renowned for the range of
bird
species
that can be observed within its boundaries. More than 600
of South
Africa's 900 odd bird species can be seen in KwaZulu-
Natal.
Many of
these are rarely seen in other parts of South Africa. Good
examples being, the:
Spotted Thrush
Pel's Fishing Owl
Mangrove Kingfisher
Palmnut Vulture
Lammergeyer or Bearded Vulture
Purple Crested Lourie There are a number of excellent 'bird viewing' spots in
KwaZulu-
Natal. Some of the most renowned being:
Birdhaven -
Exotic Bird and Waterfowl Park :
Bulwer
Telephone:(039)832 0940
Umlalazi
Nature Reserve:
Has 310 recorded bird species- including the Palmnut
Vulure,
Bluebilled Firefinch, Curlew Sandpiper,
Green Twinspot and the Whitebacked Night Heron.
Ngoye Forest Reserve:
For the serious ornithologist and the
keen amateur birder, Ngoye is well worth a visit. Some of
the birds
that can be seen here include the Green & Woodwards Barbet,
which are
not found in any other forests in South Africa. Of the 85
species of
forest birds found in KwaZulu-Natal, 73 occur in this small
area.
Dlinza
Forest Nature Reserve (Eshowe):
This is a
major
breeding locality for the Spotted Thrush, one of KZNs
rarest birds,
and the Yellowstreaked Bulbul, also very rare. Hluhluwe-
Umfolozi:
This reserve is rich in bird life
with over 350 species. Birds such as the Bald Ibis,
African Finfoot,
Knobbilled Duck, Ground Hornbill, various Vultures
(Whitebacked,
Lappetfaced, Cape), Greenbacked Heron, Gorgeous Bush
Shrike, Green
Pigeon etc. can be found regularly in this reserve.
St Lucia
Wetland Park:
The bird life in this area is
prolific and at times one can view large congregations of
Lesser and
Greater Flamingo. Among the numerous shoreline aquatic
birds, the
following are of interest; Whitewinged, Whiskered, Lesser
Crested,
Swift and Sandwich Terns as well as Caspian Terns which
breed
nearby. Phinda
Resource Reserve:
This reserve has 350 - 400 species of bird,
including the Brown Headed Parrot, Lemonbreasted Canary,
Puprplecrested Lourie, Woodwards Batis just to mention a
few.
Mkuze Game Reserve:
Some 430 species have been recorded in this reserve which
is now part
of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, including the
Bluegrey Flycatcher, Desert Disticola, Green Coucal, Rudd's
Apalis
and Neergard's sunbird.
Kosi Bay
:
There are a number
of uncommon species to be searched for in the Kosi Bay
area, such as
the Avocet, Barthroated Godwit, Pel's Fishing Owl, Palmnut
Vulture,
Pinkthroated Longclaw and the Mangrove Kingfisher.
Ndumu
Game Reserve:
Not surprisingly, Ndumu is well known as
one of South Africa s premier birding spots. The list
comprises of
more than 85% of the 472 species recorded from the whole of
Maputaland. Apart from the rare subtropical and migrant
species that
occur seasonally, the lakes and pans are noted for the
large
concentrations of waterfowl that seek refuge and food over
the winter
months in this small reserve. Some of the notable species
recorded
are the; African Finfoot, Bat Hawk, Bearded Robin,
Bluesheeked Bee-
Eater, Green Twinspot, Honey Guides, Pel's Fishing Owl and
the Pygmy
Goose.
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A Fish Eagle in flight
Photo: Uthungulu: District Municipality
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Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park:
More than 300 bird species can be observed in this World
Heritage
Site. Some of the most interesting being the
Black Stork,
Bald Ibis,
Bearded and Cape Vultures,
Black Eagle,
Jackal Buzzard,
Black Harrier,
Greywing Francolin,
Ground Woodpecker,
Thickbilled Lark,
Bush Blackcap,
Cape and Sentinel Rock Thrushes,
Buffstreaked and Sicklewinged Chats,
Orangebreasted Rockjumper,
Grassbird,
Fairy Flycatcher,
Yellowbreasted Pipit,
Greater Doublecollared Sunbird,
Forest Canary and the
Drakensberg Siskin. Oribi
Gorge:
Has a bird list of some 250 species. An excellent spot for
viewing
Cape Vulture,
Crowned Eagle and the
African Finfoot. Two of KwaZulu-Natal's museums have extensive bird displays
namely
the
Natural Science Museum in Durban and
Pietermaritzburg's
Natal
Museum. For more imformation on Birding in KwaZulu-Natal please
visit the
following websites:
KZN Wildlife's Birding
pages
Zululand Birding Route
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