KZN Birds | Issue 71 | #2/23

Editorial Team

Prof Anthony Forbes (Ticky) | Editor

Nicolette Forbes | Layout and Design

Tony Coetzer |Advertising

Contributors

Greg Davies

Richard Boon

Dave Rimmer

Ingrid Weiersbye

Peter Dival

Nic Presland

Ticky Forbes

Nicolette Forbes

Sean Glynn

Peter Nelson

Tony Coetzer

Published by the BirdLife KZN Forum proudly affiliated with BirdLife South Afria

KZN Birds is the quarterly digital magazine of the regional BirdLife KZN Forum and also acts as the communication tool of the KZN bird clubs.

If you would like to contribute to future issues of KZN Birds please send photos, short articles or feature articles to the editor@birdlifekznforum.org following the guidelines and timelines below.

Deadline for article and photo submission during 2023

Issue #72: 21 August 2023

Issue #73: 20 November 2023

Submission guidelines

Photos:

• Images must be submitted with captions via email to editor@birdlifekznforum

• Width: 1920 pixels max

• Height: 1080 pixels max

• File Size: not exceed 2MB

• No borders or watermarks can be used - photograph credits will be included with the caption

Articles: if you would like to submit short or feature articles please send a title and three line paragraph indicating the contents and the editor will respond.

Cover Photo | African Broadbill by Brian Roberts Taken in the sand forest at Phinda Game Reserve Photo opposite | Mangrove Kingfisher by Nicolette Forbes in the uMlalazi Nature Reserve

Mangrove Kingfisher in the uMlalazi Nature Reserve. Read about this birding hotspot on page 24

Nicolette Forbes

KZN BIRDS ISSUE #71 | WHAT’S INSIDE

FEATURES

7 11 16 20 24 26 28 32

Lessons from Old Eggs

Stella Bush to Pigeon Valley the messages from history.

Colour Me Green eThekwini

An atlas adventure around Hazelmere Dam

Bonamanzi in March

BirdLife KZN Midlands profile their trip to Bonamanzi giving us a sneak preview of what’s in store for the September 2023 Spring Forum.

KZN Forum Ingula Nature Reserve and Ladysmith

The March 2023 forum was a roaring success with lots of birding, talks and camaraderie.

REGULAR ITEMS

KZN Birding Hotspots

A profile on Mtunzini and the specials to be found there.

Member Murmurings

A stork trio and a Hamerkop - Ingrid Weiersbye shares her observations.

Member Murmurings

Nic Presland shares his observations of an African Fish Eagle at Kestrel Lake.

Birds in Focus

Photos sent in from birders showcasing birds seen in and around KZN and beyond.

CHAIRS CHIRPS

News from the BirdLife South Africa affiliated bird clubs and other bird clubs around KZN

35 BirdLife eThekwini KZN

7 Lessons from Old Eggs

UPCOMING NEWS AND EVENTS FROM BLSA

15

23

25

31

Avitourism flies at Indaba

The Cape Parrot: Mistbelt Forest Ambassadors

Join BirdLife South Africa for the annual African Bird Fair

BirdLife South Africa is looking to recruit...

36

37

38 St Lucia Bird Club

36 BirdLife KZN Midlands

Ladysmith Birders

BirdLife Sani

Nicolette Forbes

From the Editor

Dear birders, supporters and interested readers,

Another bumper edition of KZN Birds, our second for 2023! As the premier publication for bird enthusiasts in the province, we are thrilled to present an issue packed with exceptional articles, breathtaking photographs, and captivating stories contributed by our dedicated club members.

One of the key highlights of this edition is the selection of articles that delve into diverse aspects of bird biology, birdwatching and sites to bird around KZN.

Accompanying these insightful articles are some stunning photographs captured by our very own club members. We are privileged to

showcase the remarkable talent of our photographers, whose keen eye and dedication have allowed them to freeze bird moments for us to enjoy. Equally noteworthy is the active participation of our members in sharing their personal stories and observations. Your contributions have added a personal touch to this edition, making it a true reflection of our collective passion for birds. By sharing your experiences, you have not only enriched our understanding of these fascinating creatures but have also fostered a sense of community among fellow birders. Looking ahead, we are delighted to highlight the upcoming events that will keep birders entertained in the months to come. Of particular importance is the eagerly anticipated KZN Forum at Bonamanzi in Zululand. This gathering of like-minded individuals promises to be a memorable

experience, providing an opportunity to exchange knowledge, forge new friendships, and immerse ourselves in the wonders of birdwatching.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the contributors, photographers, and club members who have made this edition of KZN Birds possible. Your dedication and passion are truly inspiring, and it is through your collective efforts that our publication continues to soar to new heights. We look forward to your continued support and contributions.

Ticky Forbes Editor-in-Chief KZN Birds

From the Chair | BirdLife KZN Forum

Embrace the birding delights in KZN this winter!

As winter casts its chilliness over KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), avid birders may assume that the departure of migratory species dampens the thrill of birding. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth! Even as we bid farewell to our winged visitors, KZN continues to offer an array of bird specials and glorious winter weather that are sure to captivate the hearts of both seasoned birdwatchers and new birders alike. This issue highlights some of the exciting upcoming events and unique local specials that make birding in KZN this winter an experience not to be missed.

KZN boasts a remarkable array of local bird species that are yearround residents, creating ample opportunities for birding enthusiasts to explore the region’s diverse ecosystems. From the lush coastal wetlands along the coastal strip to the majestic Drakensberg Mountains,

KZN’s habitats are teeming with avian treasures waiting to be discovered.

This has already been an exciting year for birders with the successful roll out of BirdLife South Africa’s Flock to the Wilderness event. This included both the Learn About Birds (LAB) and the 94th AGM which was a wonderful event and enjoyed by all. It was great to see KZN representatives attending and even better to see our own Prof Colleen Downs awarded the Gill Memorial Medal. More detail on this in the next issue of KZN Birds.

Looking ahead there are a number of bird related events for us all to enjoy. Alongside the region’s wonderful birding these events celebrate the beauty and diversity of birds in South Africa. This includes the results of the BirdLife South Africa Photographic Competition which will provide an impressive showcase of stunning images of birds from across the country. This competition exceeded expectations, receiving an impressive 742 entries raising important conservation revenue and attracting new members to BirdLife

South Africa.

On Saturday 22 July, the African Bird Fair 2023 will bring together bird lovers and experts for a day of bird related speakers and exhibitors. Attendance in person or virtually at the Woodmead Country Club in Johannesburg.

Additionally, preparations for the upcoming regional BirdLife KZN Forum in Zululand in September are well underway (see page 19 for more details). We already have many registered attendees and look forward to this KZN Spring Celebration.

With these events on the horizon, there is much to look forward to and ample opportunities to engage with the fascinating world of birds. So grab your binoculars, hit the trails, and prepare to be amazed by the wonders of birding in KwaZulu-Natal this winter!

Nicolette Forbes Chair BirdLife KZN Forum

Lessons from Old Eggs

Stella Bush to Pigeon Valley

It’s hard to believe that Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve, and the outstanding ~13 hectare Coastal Forest it protects, lies just a couple of kilometres west of Durban’s CBD. At this much-loved birding hotspot, visitors can see many resident species, regular non-breeding migrants like Spotted Ground-thrush and, if lucky, occasional exciting visitors like Knysna Warbler and Mangrove Kingfisher. Birds and birders alike have benefited from excellent work done to protect and restore the forest. For that we can be grateful to the Durban Parks Department, especially Geoff Nichols, and more recently to Crispin Hemson and the Friends of Pigeon Valley. What visitors may not know, though, is that Pigeon Valley was once part of a very large forest that extended from the Umbilo River in the south to the Umgeni River, and present day Burman Bush, in the north. This forest may have been ~1500 ha when Europeans first saw it! That’s more than twice the size of the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. Sadly, less than 5% of the original forest cover remains.

A sense of what has been lost can be gleaned from early paintings of Durban, especially the piece by James B. West in 1856 which shows the western end of Stella Bush and a similar forest which grew at Montclair (Clairmont). The bay, associated

grasslands, freshwater and estuarine wetlands, and the forests on the ancient red sand dunes beyond must have been a remarkable landscape.

The first aerial surveys of Durban were done in the 1930s. The fascinating photographs from these flights show that the forest, then known as Stella Bush, including present-day Pigeon Valley, was approximately 220 ha. Thus, although much-reduced, Stella Bush was then roughly twice as big as the current Hawaan Forest

at Umhlanga. Thereafter, Stella Bush was gradually reduced as development engulfed it and only the small patch that we know today remained by the 1960s.

Some years ago, one of us (GD), discovered that a number of egg clutches had been collected at Stella Bush between 1899 and 1931. Sampling was sporadic in time and taxonomically, so only a portion of the breeding birds was sampled. Nonetheless, even this restricted

Left | Watercolour painting by James B. West 1856 showing a view from Bluff across the head of the Bay towards Clairmont.

Above | A view from Berea Ridge looking east to Indian Ocean

sample grabbed our attention because some clutches came from birds that no longer breed at or are only scarce visitors to Pigeon Valley.

We then contrasted the old egg collections with more recent observations of Pigeon Valley’s birdlife, especially dissertation fieldwork undertaken by RB (Boon 1992). The basic questions were: what bird species were lost as Stella Bush was reduced? And what species survived and continued breeding even though the forest patch contracted by nearly 95% in approximately 30 years?

The following points emerged:

• Ninety-eight clutches from 39 species were collected at Stella Bush between 1899 and 1931.

• Clutches were collected from 12 bird species no longer resident at Pigeon Valley, including seven species that appear noteworthy: Lemon Dove (1 clutch), African Wood Owl (2), Green Malkoha (2), Gorgeous Bush-Shrike (1), Olive Bush-Shrike (1), Black-crowned Tchagra (1), and Brown Scrub-Robin (7).

• The remaining extirpated breeders were: Red-chested Cuckoo (1 clutch of Red-capped Robin-Chat parasitized), Burchell’s Coucal (1), African Pygmy Kingfisher (1), Little Bee-eater (2), and White-browed Scrub-Robin (1).

• We interpreted the above species to be ‘sensitive species’. In other words, they were able to breed in or on the margins of Stella Bush, but no longer breed at the smaller Pigeon Valley.

•Some of the ‘sensitive species’ occasionally visit Pigeon Valley, but in the last 35–40 years only as vagrants, wintering non-breeders or marginal incidental breeders that do not establish persistent populations.

•The number of Brown Scrub-Robin clutches is interesting. Nests of this robin are difficult to find (Oatley & Arnott 1998), thus seven clutches is noteworthy. The implication is that a flourishing population once existed at Stella Bush and the larger Berea forest.

•Clutches were also collected of species that still breed at Pigeon Valley and the broader Berea Ridge: African Goshawk (1 clutch), Buffspotted Flufftail (2), Tambourine

Dove (1), Red-eyed Dove (1), Speckled Mousebird (1), Cardinal Woodpecker (1), Black-backed Puffback (2), Southern Boubou (5), Southern Fiscal (1), Fork-tailed Drongo (2), Square-tailed Drongo (4), African Paradise Flycatcher (7), Dark-capped Bulbul (2), Sombre Greenbul (3), Terrestrial Brownbul (4), Yellow-bellied Greenbul (1), Green-backed Camaroptera (2), Tawny-flanked Prinia (1), Barthroated Apalis (3), Red-capped Robin-Chat (9), Southern Black Flycatcher (2), Collared Sunbird (16), Olive Sunbird (1), Grey Sunbird (2), Cape White-eye (1), Dark-backed Weaver (1) and Village Weaver (1).

•The species listed in the last point we interpreted as ‘resilient species’. Despite a massive decline in forest cover, they were able to persist as breeding populations (sometimes small) within a radically-transformed landscape. These resilient species also formed most clutches from the old egg collections.

•The resilient species are today often found in gardens and parks of the adjoining suburbs and have also been found along the narrow corridors of natural vegetation, especially on the Howard College campus of the University of KZN, which connect Pigeon Valley to the nearby Msinsi Nature Reserve and Umbilo Valley.

In summary, the findings show that most of the birds breeding at Stella Bush in the early part of the 20th Century survived to modern times at Pigeon Valley. Evidently, the significant fragmentation did not condemn them to local extinction. Thus even small remnant patches of coastal forest can support many bird species.

But many of the original breeding bird species did not endure the changes. Their demise as Stella Bush shrank raises fascinating ecological questions of why some species were more sensitive to landscape modification than similar species of broadly equivalent life histories.

Above | A view from Berea Ridge looking east to Indian Ocean

This is especially stark when one contrasts, say, Brown Scrub-Robin against Red-capped Robin-Chat. Both are largely ground-dwelling insectivorous robins of thick cover and of approximately similar body mass. Yet their fates at Pigeon Valley were very different!

Similarly, the disappearance of the Gorgeous Bush-Shrike contrasts against the Southern Boubou, which continues to prosper at Pigeon Valley. These are both understorey shrikes with comparable body masses and diets, but their fortunes have been radically divergent.

Can the conclusions from this Stella Bush–Pigeon Valley dataset be extrapolated to other areas of the eThekwini Municipality, the KwaZulu-Natal coast or an even wider area?

Certainly, elsewhere, birds do different things and even have opposite status trends. For example, Brown Scrub-Robin is apparently a garden bird in Anerley and Umtentweni on the South Coast of

KZN, and it reportedly occurs in ‘very small forest patches’ in the Eastern Cape (Oatley 2005). Such facts are in sharp contrast to our Durban findings!

On the other hand, some evidence aligns with our results. For instance, the development of the Zimbali housing estate near Ballito resulted in the populations of Brown Scrub-Robin and Gorgeous Bush Shrike suffering notable declines (Nichols 2011). And, in southern Mozambique, Brown Scrub-Robin is reported only in sand forest patches above 70 hectares in size (Wilson et al. 2007), which indicates that it is sensitive to forest patch size.

In conclusion, we suggest that, within the eThekwini area, African Wood Owl, Green Malkoha, Brown-Scrub Robin, and Gorgeous Bush Shrike are especially sensitive to forest loss and species to watch within the municipal boundaries. Other species not included in the egg collections, like African Broadbill and Narina Trogon, may also be vulnerable to forest change. Forests on the KZN

coast south of the Tugela River that boast resident breeding populations of these species are probably ‘healthy’ and worthy of heightened ecological and conservation interest. These forests should not be developed or disturbed.

Full references and further details were published in Davies & Boon (2020). If you would like a copy of the paper, please email Greg Davies at seicercus@gmail.com. It can also be downloaded from ResearchGate.

Greg Davies and Richard Boon

Further Reading: DAVIES, G.B.P. & BOON, R.G.C. 2020. Medium- and long-term avifaunal changes of a coastal forest and its resultant fragment: Stella Bush and Pigeon Valley Park, eThekwini Municipality, South Africa. Durban Natural Science Museum Novitates 40: 1–23.

Below | A Brown Scrub Robin pauses on a favourite rock to pose for a shot.

ROBERTS

NESTS & EGGS of southern African birds

Warwick Tarboton

AVAILABLE AGAIN AT BOOK STORES and online at www.jacana.co.za

REMEMBER! All new Roberts Content is published on Birds of the World. Create an account at http://birdsoftheworld.org

Exciting News for South African Birders! Access Granted to Cornell Birds of the World Website through the JVBBF

South African birders have received a remarkable opportunity to enhance their knowledge and passion for birds. Thanks to successful negotiations between the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund (JVBBF) and the renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology, access to the esteemed Cornell Birds of the World website has been granted to South African birders. The JVBBF is in turn providing all the new Roberts 8 content to the website.

The John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, spearheaded by a dedicated group of business people and scientists, plays a crucial role in advancing the field of ornithology in southern Africa. This fund operates with a genuine commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and the promotion of ornithology in the regionby the

production of high-quality Roberts Bird Books and related products.. The current trustees are Ingrid Weiersbye, Andrew McKechnie, Nicolette Forbes, Duncan McKenzie, and Guy Upfold and these people willingly devote their time and expertise to further the interests of birding in South Africa.

The Cornell Birds of the World website is widely recognized as a comprehensive and authoritative resource in the field of ornithology. With this newfound access, South African birders are provided with an invaluable tool to deepen their understanding of birds, their behavior, habitats, and conservation. The website offers a vast collection of information, including detailed

species accounts, multimedia resources, and research findings from Cornell Lab of Ornithology and various renowned ornithological experts and now including the Roberts content.

By granting South African birders access to this esteemed resource, the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund and Cornell Lab of Ornithology have paved the way for birders in the region to expand their knowledge and appreciation of birds.

The dedication of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund trustees, along with the collaboration with Cornell Lab of Ornithology, exemplifies the importance of partnerships in advancing scientific knowledge and promoting conservation efforts.

A comprehensive guide to the nesting habits of over 720 bird species in southern Africa

Colour Me Green eThekwini

BirdLife eThekwini KZN initiated an atlas challenge in 2021 called Colour Me Green eThekwini. The aim of this endeavour was to colour the 47 pentads of the eThekwini Municipal Area ‘green’, in order to maximise information on species diversity and bird distributions in the municipal area.

An important club conservation initiative

This type of activity provides important data for conservation and contributes data and information critical at a variety of scales from local where it can inform the Local Municipal Conservation Plan, Environmental Impact Assessments, and at a national level to initiatives such as the South African Bird Atlas Project and the many other conservation projects that rely on this data. BirdLife eThekwini KZN club members are encouraged through this club initiative to head out and atlas these pentads themselves or as part of the formal club diary activities where groups join the CMGE Club Atlas field trips.

The latest atlas adventure took the BeKZN group to an area around Hazelmere Dam, the uMdloti River and surrounds. The report is included here to illustrate the areas covered, the birds seen and the wonderful birding that can be done together for conservation.

A recent atlas adventure

Continuing with the Birdlife eThekwini initiative to colour the region green each year by atlassing the pentads bounded by the Municipality, Rob McLennan-Smith, Johnny de Beer, and Brandon Gould joined Dave Rimmer on 19 February 2023 for a visit to the pentad that borders Hazelmere Dam (2935_3100).

Rob again offered the luxury of his comfortable Prado that navigated the challenging roads with ease. Prior to the trip I had prepared a detailed map which was downloaded to our pre-installed Google Earth Apps, thus providing us with roads, tracks, and route markers to visit for the best spots and varied habitats to be encountered (see map below).

En route to the Hazelmere Dam Nature Reserve itself we did some roadside birding logging a few of the more common species one usually encounters first when entering a pentad, namely Village Weaver, Barn Swallow, Red-eyed Dove and the ever-present Hadeda Ibis. We stopped at the bridge crossing the uMdloti River for any possible water birds – none sadly due to the appalling state of the river. We did however record a further 14 species

whilst at the bridge, seeing Goldentailed Woodpecker, Tambourine Dove, Crested Barbet, Eastern Golden Weaver, and hearing Greenbacked Camaroptera, Sombre Greenbul and Purple-crested Turaco. We also stopped for a scenic view of the dam from higher up.

By the time we had reached the Hazelmere Dam and Resort area, we had logged 35 species in the half hour it had taken us from our meeting point with Johnny at the King Shaka International Airport. A week later following initial reports of their presence at the dam, we were delighted to see a pair of African Pygmy Goose out in the open water. Our delight however was short-lived as a crew of kayaking fishermen rounded the corner and flushed the birds upstream. Walking along the shoreline for a while yielded plenty

of good birds, and some great photographic opportunities. Here we saw African Woolly-necked Stork (split recently by IOC to separate from Asian Woolly-necked Stork as distinct species), Common Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis, African Jacana, White-faced Whistling Duck, Purple Heron, Giant Kingfisher, African Pied Wagtail, and Lesser Swamp Warbler.

We then drove to the east side of the dam and followed the bush track through the grasslands. Here we saw Southern Black Tit, Little Bee-eater, Violet-backed Starling, Orange-breasted Bushshrike, Green Wood-hoopoe, Common Waxbill, and Chinspot Batis. Rounding the top end of the loop we encountered trees literally filled with Yellow-billed Kite – no less than a hundred of them by our estimates. We presumed it was their gathering in numbers for the communal northward intra-African migration.

On approaching the camp site area, a small raptor-like bird flushed from out of the thickets, flew around the bend, and out of sight. Views were ever so brief and our initial thoughts being it could possibly have been a Little Sparrowhawk. We decided to proceed cautiously on foot in the hope of getting another look. Inadvertently we flushed it from its hiding spot, and off it went again. Fortunately, not too far away, and close enough to see where it had landed. We could now determine from the side-on views that it was not a raptor but one of the larger grey Cuculus species – but which one. From the size of the bird, we were able to quickly rule out either Lesser or Madagascan Cuckoo. It then moved to another branch of the same tree giving us sight of the chest area, thereby enabling us to eliminate Red-chested Cuckoo from the equation. That now left us with either African or Common Cuckoo. There was cer-

tainly plenty of yellow on the bill but was it enough…. hmmmm!. Post trip photo editing and consulting with some experts we eventually settled with Common Cuckoo. The reason being that an adult African Cuckoo tends to show a wrap-around yellow base to the mandible, with the yellow extending over the nostrils.

On exiting the reserve, there is a track leading off to the right down the fence line. This is currently closed off from vehicular access, to thwart the illegal sand-mining operations previously conducted along the upper reaches of the Mdloti River. We opted to stretch the legs, walk the track, and enjoy the sunshine. We were rewarded with further sightings of African Pygmy Goose - as many as eight of them all told. We also saw African Paradise-flycatcher, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Olive Sunbird, Natal Spurfowl, Black Crake, Common Moorhen, Yellowbilled Duck, Blue-billed teal, and glorious views of a Booted Eagle overhead. The species tally had now got to 97, and it was time to explore further afield.

Above | Yellow-billed Kite–Dave Rimmer

Top | Scenic view overlooking Hazelmere Dam - Brandon Gould

Below | African Woolly-necked Stork –Dave Rimmer

Top | Yellow-billed Kites gathering for their northward migration–Dave Rimmer

Above | Common Cuckoo-Dave Rimmer

Left | White-fronted Bee-eaterDave Rimmer

Top | Little Bee-eater–Dave Rimmer

Below | A pair of African Pygmy Goose - Dave Rimmer

We headed back through Verulam and the north along the P100 Vincent Dickenson Road. We took a few side roads leading off from the main tar road, but these yielded slim pickings, apart from good views of a White-fronted Bee-eater, and few more Little Bee-eaters.

On the northern boundary of the pentad there is a small dam accessible via the entrance road to the LIV Orphanage. The gate guard kindly allowed us to walk in and through to the dam, provided we did not venture anywhere near the hostel buildings. This allowed us to add a few more to the atlas card for the day with sightings of Wire-tailed Swallow, Malachite Kingfisher, African Firefinch, Red-knobbed Coot, and Red-faced Cisticola.

By now 10h00 was approaching and the day was warming up considerably. In order to get to the western section of the pentad, we proceeded north along the P100 which goes to Ndwedwe, and turned off at the Oakford Road intersection, and proceeded south. This is rural area with small

settlements, grasslands, and sugar cane plantations. The number of new species for the pentad list being seen was starting to tail off, but we soldiered on adding Cape Grassbird, Rufous-naped Lark, Yellow-throated Longclaw, and Zitting Cisticola. My map showed a track heading back down to the western side of the dam which we set off to explore. It petered out a few hundred meters away from the dam so we set off on foot down a single track. No birds to be seen – perfect habitat though for the Gorgeous Bush-shrike we had heard earlier in the morning from across the other side of the dam. This time of day is good for butterflies and dragonflies – of which there were plenty to keep us busy looking for and photographing.

We wrapped up our morning at the bridge crossing the Mdloti river with Little Swift, Dusky Indigobird, Black-headed Oriole, and Rock Martin being added to the list. We decided it was a bit late in the day to tackle a second pentad, so left the Buffelsdraai landfill site to be tackled on another day. It was a fabulous morning with great people

at a stunning birding location. A total of 114 avian species were recorded on a Full Protocol atlas cards submitted for pentad 2935_3100.

Dave Rimmer BirdLife eThekwini KZN Atlas Coordinator

Top | Dusky Indigobird-Dave Rimmer

Below | Scanning the sand-mined upper reaches of the Mdloti River – Dave Rimmer

Events and News BirdLife South Africa

Avitourism flies at Indaba

as PC Ferreira from Khoisan Karoo Conservancy and Ian Owtram from Antares Bush Camp and Umgede Hide. Andrew also spoke to several new potential partners about joining the BirdLife South Africa Recommended Accommodations network which is advertised through the GoBirding website (www.gobirding.co.za).

You can find the details of all of our Community Bird Guides as well as our BirdLife South Africa Recommended Accommodations and Tour Operators, and our affiliated Bird Clubs, on the GoBirding website. Please also follow our new social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

Africa’s Travel Indaba (aka Tourism Indaba) is an annual tourism trade show that takes place in Durban, KwaZuluNatal, South Africa. The event is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African continent, and it attracts exhibitors and buyers from around the world. It is organized by South African Tourism, the national tourism agency responsible for promoting South Africa as a travel destination.

The Tourism Indaba provides a platform for exhibitors to showcase their products and services to the travel trade, media, and tourism industry professionals. The event features a variety of exhibitors, including accommodation providers, tour operators, transportation companies, adventure tourism operators, and tourism boards. It also includes a range of seminars, workshops, and networking events designed to help attendees stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the tourism industry.

Three of the BirdLife South Africa Community Bird Guides were in attendance promoting birding in South Africa. Junior Gabela and Sakhamuzi Mhlongo were sponsored by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and represented the Zululand Birding Route, while Wilfred Mchunu was exhibiting his birding and battlefields tours under the national Department of Tourism stand.

Our Avitourism Project Manager, Andrew de Blocq, was also attending. Andrew took time to connect with existing partners in the industry such as EcoTraining, who celebrated their 30th birthday at the event, as well

Above | Andrew de Blocq (BirdLife South Africa

Avitourism Manager) with Junior Gabela, Wilfred Mchunu, and Sakhamuzi Mhlango were in attendance at the African Travel Indaba

Below | Bird Guides Junior Gabela and Sakhamuzi Mhlongo on the right talking avitourism with another

tourism operator.

A visit to Bonamanzi Game Reserve

The trip begins...

Early on Monday, 6th March three vehicles with twelve BirdLife KZN Midlands club members on board headed towards Durban and then onwards to Bonamanzi which is situated near Hluhluwe in Zululand. We had an uneventful journey until just north of Richard’s Bay where we encountered the dreaded queue of coal carrier trucks heading towards the Richard’s Bay Coal Terminal. Fortunately, in spite of us travelling for over 7 km, in the opposite direction, the trucks were largely well-behaved in keeping to one lane on the double lane highway, so no hold-ups were experienced. Happily those travelling north, in our direction, were mostly courteous in pulling over to allow for easy overtaking.

Nyala House

Once we had booked in at Bonamanzi we headed to our group accommodation in Nyala House. Eve Hughes, our leader, had already allocated the available rooms so vehicles were quickly off-loaded and everyone was comfortably settled in. The house accommodates 18, with three double en-suite rooms and the remainder being double rooms with two communal showers and separate toilets. The kitchen was large enough for us to prepare meals and a lovely big table on the covered patio enabled us to sit together for chats and meals.

Exploring the reserve

We soon headed out into the game area for a late afternoon drive and to give those who had not previously been there a general idea of the reserve layout. We headed to the new hide at Duke’s Dam and then down to the Hluhluwe River where we saw firsthand evidence of the recent heavy rains and flooding with

one of the reserve’s flat-bottomed boats stranded on land at least thirty metres from the river where it had previously been moored!

Once back at the house we quickly prepared our dinners before loadshedding set in. The additional problem with no electricity meant that the water pump did not operate so we had no water either! But once power was restored at 9p.m. there was a rush for showers before heading off to bed.

Up early the next morning for coffee, we took a walk around the nearby area before returning for breakfast. We then took a drive down to the river, stopping first at Tree House Number 14 where there was a hive of bird activity. We headed to Queen’s Pool for our coffee break on the deck where we enjoyed the call of the Burchell’s Coucal, watched Thickbilled Weavers nest-building and various other birds. As parts of the area were still very muddy we had to be cautious where we travelled to avoid getting bogged down! Driving slowly down to the floodplain again we were kept busy with sightings of a number of Senegal Lapwings, Pipits, Yellow-throated Longclaws, and lots of Bee-Eaters.

After lunch and a break, some of us went in search of the Lemon-breasted Canaries along the fence line. After driving for a short way until the Lala Palms started appearing, we then walked and spotted a nest-building pair – a fantastic sighting! That evening we again gathered on the patio whilst Fiery-necked Nightjar called in the distance. We had a surprise visit from a Lesser Spotted Genet who peered at us around the corner of the house.

Up very early the next morning we went in search of the elusive African

Broadbill which the local guide had told us about. Unfortunately, despite quite a long walk, we didn’t find it, but some of us stragglers had good views of Pink-throated Twinspot hopping in and out of the dense foliage. After breakfast, we decided to do a trip to the flood plain on the community land between Bonamanzi and False Bay that Alan Turner had kindly given Peter directions to access. On the way we were fortunate to see a flock of Red-headed Queleas in a reedbed which were flushed by a passing vehicle. After a little confusion in a maze of roads we ended up in the right spot and were delighted to have cracking views of Glossy Ibis, Purple Swamphen, Common Ringed Plovers and a Yellow-billed Egret. Driving further along we found Blue-billed Teal, a Purple Heron, Whiskered Terns, Pink- backed and Great White Pelicans, and a single Ruff.

Back at the house and after a rest we again set out to find the canaries and were able to get some great photographs of them. We later had a communal braai and were joined by a large family of Banded Mon-

Above|Lemon- breasted Canary-Peter Divall

gooses who explored any and every crumb that had dropped and then made themselves comfortable under the vehicles for the night.

On Thursday morning we explored some of the areas not visited earlier and some of the group were fortunate to spot a Green Malkoha which was calling near campsite 16. We drove down slowly, towards the floodplain seeing a Willow Warbler gleaning insects off the ripening wild figs, and on the way back a lone European Bee-Eater and Redfaced Cisticola were seen with Redbreasted Swallows flying overhead. Sean, in the leading vehicle, alerted us to a raptor that they could see through a small ‘window’ in the bush. On closer investigation, this was identified as a Southern-banded Snake Eagle – a great sighting! After a leisurely lunch and afternoon, we did a final drive around the reserve before sadly packing up for an early start the following morning.

Home again with a St Lucia deviation

Our return trip was surprisingly uneventful with no truck queue or delays along the way. Two vehicles stopped in at St Lucia and after the long walk along the boardwalk and dunes, the younger folk walked to the river mouth to see the specials which had been reported there. They had great sightings of African Skimmers, an adult and Juvenile Palm- nut Vulture, various terns, a damp and scraggly Common Buzzard amongst others. From there it was homeward bound with the Friday afternoon traffic starting to pick up, but never becoming too heavy.

An amazing total bird list

Only the special bird species seen are mentioned but we were delighted to have a group total of about 140 species. Other birds worthy of a mention included Osprey, Eastern Nicator (heard), and Brown-

throated Weaver. Commonly encountered species were Yellowbellied Greenbul, Rudd’s Apalis, Gorgeous Bushshrike, Orangebreasted and Olive Bushshrikes, both species of drongo, European, Whitefronted and Blue-cheeked BeeEaters, Red-capped Robin-Chat, Crowned Hornbill, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatchers, Tambourine and Emerald Spotted Wood Doves to name only a few! All-in-all a wonderful and very worthwhile trip! Our thanks to Eve for organizing all the bookings and arrangements, to Peter for sharing his knowledge of the reserve, to Alan Turner for his guidance regarding exploration of the floodplain, and to all who made this a great outing –definitely worth a second visit in the future!

Anita Divall BirdLife KZN Midlands

Above|Southern-banded Snake Eagle-Peter Divall

Southern Brown-throated Weaver-Peter Divall

Tambourine Dove -Peter Divall

Ingula Nature Reserve and the Ladysmith area BirdLife KZN Forum | March 2023

Chittenden, editor of the Southern African Roberts Bird Field Guide, and "The Microhabitat Requirements of Understory Bird Forest Specialists" by Ms. Nasiphi Bitani, a PhD candidate at UKZN. Additionally, talks on Bald Ibis and Oxpecker introductions addressed interesting and relevant work and research specific to the areas birds and habitats. Steve Davis’s talk on cisticolas larks and pipits proved extremely useful in the grasslands of Ingula, where LBJs lurk on every grass stalk, tempting birders into guessing identities.

The BirdLife KZN Forum Autumn meet, a five-day event held from 17- 21March, 2023, was a resounding success. Birding enthusiasts and experts from various locations across KZN gathered in the Ladysmith district, with the Ingula Nature Reserve serving as the focal point for the forum day of talks and BL KZN Forum committee meeting.

The event kicked off on Friday 17 March with participants settling into the Ladysmith area and enjoying dinner together at the various establishments where groups had taken up residence. Bokmakierie Lodge hosted a particularly large group of 21 participants and they handled the arrangements of us all dining together with ease.

The next day's programme consisted of birding trips to the KZN side of the Ingula Nature Reserve, offering an opportunity to explore the reserve's grassland birds. Informative sessions on the reserve's function, as well as the Eskom hydroelectric plant and dam, were held out in the field as birders moved through the reserve. Following the birding trips, everyone convened at the Ingula Visitor Centre for lunch and then an afternoon of talks on birds and birding.

The forum covered a range of topics, with notable presentations including "A Visual Guide to the Southern African Nightjar Species" by Hugh

During the drive out of the reserve at the end of the talk programme, the BirdLife eThekwini KZN Bird Bus occupants were fortunate enough to spot a Serval perched approximately 1m off the ground, in the fork of an acacia—a remarkable sighting that added to the excitement.

The day concluded with a wonderful dinner hosted at the local Country Club, where the Ladysmith Birders were consummate hosts providing us with a sumptuous braai with the food generously sponsored by Ian Gracie and his law firm, CW&T.

At the dinner, Peter Nelson the Chair of Ladysmith Birders thanked the speakers of the day and they were honoured to receive for their contributions a beautiful hardcover coffee table book documenting the history and details of the Ingula Reserve - a wonderful gesture that underscored the BirdLife KZN Forum's appreciation for their time, expertise and dedication to the birds..

The following day commenced with an early start as participants embarked on an exploration of the Ingula Nature Reserve, this time on the Free State side. This required traversing some fairly rough terrain, making their way down Collins Pass to the Elandslaagte wetland area. This tested the capabilities of the vehicles, but ultimately all vehicles,

including the BeKZN Bird Bus, triumphed. The group was rewarded with spectacular views and excellent grassland and wetland birding opportunities.

On Monday, 20 March, the itinerary began at the Malandeni Ladysmith Sewage Works, which provided delightful sightings of waterbirds, keeping participants engaged in atlassing and photography for several hours. The surrounding bushland also contributed to the group's bird list. The next stop was Spionkop Nature Reserve, where some participants visited a vulture restaurant while others enjoyed lunch in the grassland adjacent to the dam. The day culminated with a visit to Winterton to witness the return of the Amur Falcons to their evening roost. The sight of thousands of birds gathering against the backdrop of stormy skies was awe-inspiring, creating a memorable experience for all. As a major storm began, the group sought shelter and reconvened for supper at nearby restaurants.

On Tuesday, participants bid farewell and began their journey back home. Before departing, some engaged in morning birding activities in and around the Winterton area, which yielded exciting records of waterfowl and other grassland species.

An atlassing challenge was run for the duration of the event. A total of 256 species was recorded in the challenge area within 50km of Ladysmith by the 20 birders who recorded sightings on BirdLasser. This list included a few special additions, including Lesser Moorhen and the BeKZN Bird Bus and even Red-billed Oxpecker which was subject of Ian King's descriptive talk on Saturday.

The BirdLife KZN Forum Committee met early on the Sunday morning while the various groups headed out to bird. The business of the meeting covered a number of aspects that were relevant to regional birds and birding including; Feedback from BirdLife South Africa represented by Shireen Gould (BLSA Membership Manager) who updated the group on relevant BLSA news including the photographic competition, Flock

to the Wilderness in May which would include the first Bird Club Indaba in the prpgramme and also a Layman and Scientific Learn About Birds programme, and the upcoming African Bird Fair. Shireen also updated the chairs on the new membership database programme and that it was working much better but that the membership managment had requested additional training. The issues regarding delivery of the magazine were also discussed and BLSA is working hard to resolve any outstanding issues. Nicky as Chair thanked Shireen and BLSA for

attending the regional forum and for the feedback.

The rest of the meeting covered a number of additional business requirement including the financial report, Election of office bearers and an update about KZN Birds the e-magazine of the KZN Forum. The only change to the office bearers was in the position of Treasurer. Doug Bell had resigned prior to this meeting and was thanked for his contribution. Tony Coetzer happily volunteered to take on this role and this was accepted by all chairs present. Nicolette Forbes, Carron Dove and Ticky Forbes agreed to stay on as Chair, Secretary and Editor of KZN Birds, respectively. Written reports from the affiliated bird clubs had been received and were accepted with a few

Above | Birders in position waiting for the Amur Falcons

Below | No-one was disappointed - a magnificent sight

discussion points. Report backs were also received from the other KZN bodies represented at the meeting that deal with birds including the KZN Rarities committee, SABAP2 KZN, and the KZN Ornithological Trust.

All in all the BirdLife KZN Forum had provided an exceptional platform for birding enthusiasts to connect, learn, and appreciate the rich bird diversity of the region. It was agreed at the meeting that the combination of informative sessions/talks, birding trips, and memorable sightings had made the event a huge success, with fantastic attendance considering the distance and location. The chair made a special vote of thanks to Peter Nelson and the Ladysmith Birders for all their hard work and planning.

The dates for the next Forum were confirmed to be from 21-25 September 2023 (cf page 19) in Zululand. There is a very excited and positive vibe growing within the KZN Forum. There has been increased collaboration and communication between the Chairs of the KZN Clubs. This has even extended to increased networking amongst club members of BirdLife-affiliated clubs.

The excitement seems to be growing with each Forum event (this is based on the experiences and feedback from the previous two events) and is reflected in the increased interactions and attendance of the birding community. The enthusiasm for the next forum was already building while everyone was at this one so we hope to see as many of the KZN birders as possible joining us at the next one.

Right | A Cape

posed for us showing the long hind claw which gives these birds their name.

Left | We were treated to some spectacular stormsthis particular photo is taken at 07h30 in the morning and yes it really got that dark.

|

one of the many grassland species encountered on the trip.

Text and Photos

Nicolette Forbes Chair BirdLife KZN Forum

Right

Zitting Cisticola

Longclaw

Below | An Ant-eating Chat having a glorius time with an alate irruption.

Events and News BirdLife South Africa

The Cape Parrot: Mistbelt Forest Ambassadors

The Afrotemperate forest habitat of the Cape Parrot is a rich and diverse ecosystem. During research into the habitat of the Cape Parrot, it was realised jjust how fragile this forest is and the many threats facing the survival of this specialised forest habitat, with its towering and ancient canopies of native trees and the myriad of fauna and flora living within it. To depict the Cape Parrot in its natural habitat, the focus was on yellowwoods, the preferred trees for nesting, foraging, and socialising.

The second of the Cape Parrot infographic posters covers the Afrotemperate forest habitat, in which these fascinating birds are found, and threats to the survival of this vulnerable mistbelt habitat. A downloadable fact sheet accompanies this infographic poster, to be used alongside upcoming lesson plans, which will be published during the year. An illustrated poster of a Cape Parrot pair at a nest site within their habitat is also available for download at https:// www.birdlife.org.za/bird-of-the-year-2023/

KZN BIRDING HOTSPOTS

uMlalazi Nature Reserve and Mtunzini

The town of Mtunzini is surrounded by a number of key sites, which provide easy access to several of South Africa’s most sought-after bird species. These include the uMlalazi Nature Reserve, the Raphia Palm Monument and the Siyaya Coastal Forest Reserve. The town itself is a conservancy with lots of green spaces that shouldn’t be ignored with town birds such as Trumpeter Hornbillm White-eared Barbet, Black-bellied Starling, Red-backed Mannikin, and Grey, Olive and Collared Sunbirds.

Special Species

Palm-nut Vulture

Mangrove Kingfisher

Black-throated Wattle-eye

Green Malkoha

Narina Trogon

African Finfoot

Brown Scrub-Robin

Southern-banded Snake-eagle

Spotted Ground Thrush

Lemon dove

Brown-backed Honeybird

White-backed Night Heron

Green Twinspot

Black Coucal

Scalythroated Honeyguide

The uMlalazi Estuary which forms the core of the Umlalazi Nature Reserve is home to a healthy population of African Finfoot. White-backed Night Heron occurs too, and a good selection of more common waterbirds can be seen. A trail leads upstream through the extensive mangroves. Mudskippers and an abundance of mangrove crabs,

some with their disproportionately big and colourful claws are great photographic subjects and this trail is good for Mangrove Kingfisher in winter.

To get there:

From Durban take the N2 Toll Road North. Mtunzini is approximately 132 km from Durban. At the Mtunzini Toll Plaza take the left-hand Toll Gate. Having exited the Toll Gate, glide off left onto the Mtunzini off-ramp. At the top of the off-ramp turn right and another 700 meters further will bring you to the entrance to the town of Mtunzini.

The uMlalazi Estuary at sunrise

Palm-nut Vulture

White-eared Barbet

Saltmarsh and mangrove habitat in the intertidal areas of the uMlalazi Estuary

Events and News BirdLife South Africa

Join BirdLife South Africa for the annual African Bird Fair.

Join BirdLife South Africa for the biggest birding event in Africa! Enjoy an epic line-up of speakers and exhibitors and the opportunity to connect with other birders in person or online around the world.

This year we will be hosting the annual African Bird Fair at the Country Club Johannesburg – Woodmead, which has a significant bushveld/grassland area, is home to an impressive range of flora and fauna and is a wonderful environment for bush and birding walks. This places the event close to both Sandton and Pretoria.

As the event will be taking place in midwinter, we have booked the aptly named conference suite, the Aviary, which comprises three venues: the Kingfisher, the Barbet and the Starling rooms, situated in the main clubhouse building. There you will find our sponsors and optics corner and can try the latest Swarovski, ZEISS and Canon equipment or get your binoculars or scopes cleaned. You can also attend inspiring talks, presentations, workshops and book signings, browse and shop for art, books and more, and participate in an online auction. Bird walks will also be part of the day’s activities, and they close with our renowned quiz, which is sure to test your birding knowledge amid a lot of fun.

As this is a pan-African event, our talks will be available across the continent and the rest of the world via Zoom to cater to birding enthusiasts further afield. Leading up to the event our team will host a line-up of Conservation Conversation talks the week before – not-to-be-missed topics of continental interest! Running alongside this event will be our colouring-in competition, in partnership with Faansie Peacock, to encourage the next generation of budding bird conservationists

(7–13-year-olds). They will be asked to interpret a piece of Faansie’s artwork and will stand a chance of winning a signed copy of the newly revised Faansie’s Bird Book.

All proceeds from The African Bird Fair, including ticket, auction and

shop sales, contribute to our work to conserve South Africa’s birds and the fragile habitats they call home. Come and connect in person with like-minded people on a sunny winter’s day! Registration details will be announced soon.

Member Murmurings

Stork Trio and a Hamerkop

Storks commonly congregate to feed on the stranded fish in diminishing water bodies - it’s not unusual to see many different species combinations i.e. Yellow-billed Stork with African Spoonbill and Saddle-billed stork, or Marabou Stork with African Openbill.

Very often if African Fish Eagle are also present these may be challenged by Saddle-billed Stork and robbed of their meal, intimidated by the massive bill of the latter.

Recently we were priviledged to observe a special sighting of three species of stork which had gathered in a dwindling roadside pool, fed by a tributary to the Crocodile River in southern Kruger Park.

In this instance the replete Black Stork was perched alongside the pool, robbing me of the chance to get all three species in one photograph. This left two Woolly-necked, one female

Saddle-billed, and one Hamerkop still busy in the pool and gorging on several species of fish.

The Woolly-necked Storks strode around waving their bills in the water and caught a surprising number of tilapia (quite likely Mozambique tilapia) in this manner. Unfortunately they were not as adept at swiftly consuming them, and were invariably robbed by the Saddle-billed Stork, whose large gape swallowed them effortlessly.

The Saddle-billed modus operandi was to stride around stabbing into the muddy water, failing to catch tilapia, but invariably coming up with impaled barbel, which were consumed at a brisk rate. The little Hamerkop kept under the radar and feasted on barbel fingerlings undisturbed. At no stage were any platannas or other frogs caught in the half hour we watched. It was

disappointing to not be able to observe how the Black Stork would have behaved within the group.

Text and Photos

Ingrid Weiersbye

Two of the three stork species fish the pool - from left to right Saddlebilled Stork, two Woolly-necked Stork while a Hamerkop looks on.

The replete Black Stork perches by the pool

Woolly-necked Stork, the skilled tilapia catchers

A Hamerkop keeping under the radar catching barbel fingerlings

Saddlebilled Stork - the barbel stabbers

Member Murmurings

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN AFRICAN FISH EAGLE

My wife Jane and I now live in Forest Village, Brettenwood Coastal Estate, Sheffield Beach as OAP’s. Our house overlooks Kestrel Lake which has an island which used to have a huge dead tree on the island. Over a period of three consecutive years we were privileged to have regular visits from a pair of African Fish Eagle and even sometimes their offspring. I was able to get many sequences of these birds hunting fish from their favoured perch on the dead tree. Many of the fish were 3kg+ and too heavy to fly off with so the birds would swim the monster to shore and then kill and eat it.

Sadly the dead tree toppled in extreme winds in July 2021 However since then I’ve personally undertaken a project to create a sustainable hunting area with perches and habitat down the valley to the coast. This entails working from the adjoining Elaleni Estate in the North, through Brettenwood, Dunkirk and Simbithi Estates as far as Zimbali in the South. Unfortunately Covid did stall progress on the project but we are making ground trying to catch up. However, at 71 I find we run out of steam much quicker than we used to. Since Covid, I have designed and organised the erection of two African Fish Eagle perches on Kestrel Lake; one in March 2022 and the second in February 2023. We funded the construction of the perches via donations from the residents on the estate.

To date we’ve had many species use the perches including Goliath Heron, Grey Heron, Great White Egret, White-breasted and Common Cormorant and Darters. Sadly no

African Fish Eagles as yet but we often hear them circling the estate and I’m sure that sooner or later we’ll have them back fishing here.

I include below a personal account about the day in the life of one of the African Fish Eagle we had the priviledge of observing over the three year period prior to 2019.

When I first thought of using the cliche “A DAY IN THE LIFE” as the title for this short article about an African Fish Eagle, I was immediately reminded of the Beatles song with the same title - “A DAY IN THE LIFE”. This Lennon-McCartney composition is widely regarded as one of their best.

“Woke up, fell out of bed. Dragged a comb across my head. Found my way downstairs and drank a cup, and looking up I noticed I was late. Found my coat and grabbed my hat, made the bus in seconds flat”.

Pace, pressure and stress is still an ongoing characteristic of our urban human life. However life in the wild is full of trials and tribulations too. It took this African Fish Eagle nearly 4 hours of patient waiting, supreme physical exertion, one failed hunt and a second monumental effort to catch her well-earned brunch. Then she was relaxed enough to enjoy her meal here despite the noise of cars, trucks, angle-grinders and weed-eaters around her. WE ARE SO VERY FORTUNATE TO LIVE ON AN ESTATE THAT HAS AN ENVIRONMENT THAT BOTH ATTRACTS AND SUSTAINS SUCH WILD LIFE.

This beauty arrived at Kestrel at

It was a very windy day and she perched on top of the dead tree high up and fully exposed. The strong winds ruffled her feathers and gave this eagle a regal tiara crown.

She perched patiently scanning the water below. She had to hang on to her perch and was very often lifted up by the strong gusts of wind pumping down the valley. After perching for 40 minutes she suddenly bobbed her head up and down, focussed intently on the water at the northern end of Kestrel and took off into the wind.

With powerful wing beats she flew directly to the top of the Litchi tree on the west bank. She perched for a while, her gaze still focussed on the water below.

She focussed intently, eyes riveted on movement in the water directly below. After a couple of minutes she took off again and began to circle the water.

Whilst circling Kestrel Lake she began climbing ever higher. All the while she watched the water below.

tucked in. She uses her legs to steer and control her trajectory, speed and direction. She is hurtling downwards onto her prey. Her speed in free-fall is about 120km/hr. Still absolutely focussed on her target she begins to open her wings to slow down. She prepares for the final deadly swoop down onto her prey.

She starts to spread her wings and keeps them angled forward and down. She trails her legs to hold her angle of decline, direction and speed. Her head & neck are thrust forward. She holds her wings and tail parallel with the angle of her dive. She does this to minimise wind resistance and to silence her approach. Her legs and body are beginning to drop

water below. Then she folded her

There was a loud splash as she hit the water. Then silence. I waited to see her fly back to her perch with her catch. But she had missed her target. She returned to her perch. I’ve not seen an African Fish Eagle miss a catch before. After her failed attempt she perched right on top of the dead tree but then dropped down to a lower branch to get out of the strong wind. All the while she had to hold on tightly. When the wind gusted she adjusted her balance with her wings and grip continuously using up precious energy.

After perching and patiently scanning the water for another hour she suddenly took off and dived straight down to strike. This time she was successful

so she began to “swim” for the bank. She used her wings in a “butterfly” stroke all the while holding on to her prey which was struggling violently to get free.

Pulling herself out of the water with her left leg and flapping her wings she managed to drag the powerful flapping and struggling fish through the water lilies at the waters edge and onto dry land.

on her prey below. With the steep angle of her dive and her position in the sky her shadow is well away from the water. She is unseen by her prey. She dives head and neck straining forward, wings back and tightly

She had caught a huge Grass Carp (unfortunately an alien species) in the middle of the dam. When an African Fish Eagle catches a fish it will do so using only one leg and talon allowing the bird to fly off with the prey and land on a perch using the free leg and talon to do so. Fish up to 1kg are caught in this manner. However at about 3,5 kg this fish was much too large for her to lift and fly off with

this deadly grip when she has killed her prey and is ready to feed.

It had taken a monumental effort to swim her prize to shore and drag it out onto dry land. She rested briefly to summons her remaining strength and get the flapping fish away from the water. Then she faced a 300mm high step up onto the grass at the high water mark. Still tightly clutching her prey in her right talon she performed a macabre dance. A hop-flap, skipflap, step-flap, repeat-flap up and away from the water looking for a secure place to feed. Imagine holding and lifting a person who is the same weight as yourself with one hand, hopping up a vertical step one third of your own height and all the while your captive is struggling violently to get free. The power to weight ratio of these raptors is truly remarkable.

She continued her dance routine hop-flap, skip-flap, step-flap and repeat-flap further along the bank. Then feeling secure she huddled defensively over her catch and scanned all the way around her to check for any threats. Still grasping her prize in her right talon she waited until the fish finally stopped gasping and struggling. Then she huddled a while before feeding. Meanwhile weed- eaters and angle grinders scream from the sites nearby. Her prey is as long as she is. At about 3,5kg it weighs more than she does. She has caught, over- powered and killed it in about 8 minutes. Heavyweight boxers traditionally fight 12 rounds of 3 minutes each with 1 minute’s rest in between. With the wind gusting strongly, she used her wings to maintain her balance. Her left leg and talon firmly anchored her to the grass. Still her right talon is locked into her prey as she begins

to open the soft underbelly. She fought on her own for 8 minutes nonstop with no helpers in her corner to assist her. No bell sounded to allow her to rest. This is an ongoing and imperative battle for survival which she must undergo at least once a week to sustain just herself. If she has a chick to feed then she’ll have to hunt every 2 days or so to sustain both of them. She arrived at 08h50 and waited in high winds with patience and determination. Her first failed attempt was followed by a

second energy sapping hunt almost four hours later. She fed for an hour then returned to her perch to rest and preen. She flew off at 4pm over seven hours after her arrival.

Text and Photos

Nic Presland

Events and News BirdLife South Africa

BirdLife South Africa is looking to recruit a Birds and Agrochemicals Project Manager

BirdLife South Africa is looking to recruit a qualified, dedicated innovative and dynamic Birds and Agrochemicals Project Manager. The Birds and Agrochemicals Project Manager will assist with a longterm research and conservation project aimed at understanding and mitigating the impact of agricultural pesticides on birds within South Africa’s agricultural landscapes. The candidate will spearhead a strategic

review of the literature and policies linked to the governance and usage of agrochemicals in the South African food production industry. The incumbent will also establish and carry out field-based research with support from a Masters student (whom they will co-supervise) to further investigate which bird species are utilising the various agricultural landscapes and quantify this usage in relation to risk of exposure to

agrochemicals. The incumbent will be expected to engage and build relevant relationships within the agricultural, governmental and conservation sectors to affect increased awareness about the threats and opportunities facing birds in agricultural landscapes and develop an implementation strategy to mitigate the risk of agrochemical exposure on birds within South Africa.

Send your interesting sightings, rare bird photos or just great pics of birds seen while you are out and about birding. Send in any contributions following the guidelines and deadline dates on page 2.

Birds in Focus

Black-throated Wattle-eye|Brian Roberts

Half-collared Kingfisher |Brian Roberts

Lesser Moorhen|Brian Roberts

Bush Blackcap | Roger Hogg

Lemon Dove | Roger Hogg

From Simbithi Eco-estate, Ballito, KZN

The Saga of the Henpecked Twinspot

At about 11h15 on the 3 April 2023 I heard a Pinkthroated Twinspot calling from behind our lodge on Kube Yini Private Game Reserve. I looked and there was the local male bird hopping down the road and I went to have a look. We found the male busy collecting small Crested Guineafowl feathers, obviously to go and line his nest with ...

...he gave us some lovely views as he continued (unsuccessfully) to pick up even more feathers...

… he was an ambitious fellow and quickly had four downybased feathers in his beak...

.. and kept on dropping one as he tried to pick up more .....

... even when he managed the “quartet” again he still wanted more...

... eventually he was down to two feathers only ....

... but still he carried on trying ...

... three again ...

… Oh, dear, dropped one again ...

... oh well, just have to hope the missus will be satisfied with three ...

.. and finally after 7 minutes of picking up feathers he went up into the trees and darted off with his trophies.

Text and photos

Ian MacDonald

BirdLife eThekwini KZN Chair’s Chirps

Mid-winter is upon us as you get this issue. I hope this chirp finds you all in good spirits and filled with the joy of birdwatching as you read this update on the activities and progress of BirdLife eThekwini KZN (BeKZN) from March 2023 to June 2023.

Our dedicated committee has been hard at work, on a variety of fronts and I am thrilled to share some ofthe highlights with you all.

Activities: Our club is really proud that we are able to provide our members with a wide range of activities to choose from. We continue to provide between 6-8 activities a month ranging from walks to sit-ins, to outreach events and online learning and guest presentations. These are always well attended with most fully booked and showing little sign of declining. We are delighted that our members remain so enthusiastic about participating and this is really the grist for our mill to keep us looking for new and exciting ways to keep the interest going. Our June and July calendar have been published online and anyone interested in joining us may do so FREE as a member or with a donation to our conservation fund as a visitor - all welcome. The BeKZN Diary can by found at https://blpn. org/activities/birding-diary-2023/

Conservation: conservation efforts continue and include our Colour Me Green eThekwini Atlas activities with individual members contributing to this initiative as well as formal activities included as part of our calendar. This is an exciting citizen science project, inviting members to contribute their bird sightings, which will enhance our understanding of bird distribution in the region.

The monitoring of a created wetland offset area continues and we will be submitting a second report to eThekwini Municipality on this during July 2023. In addiion our concerns regarding the issue of House Crow invasion and spread has been formalised in a letter whcih will be sent to the relevant authorities.

Steve Davis continues to coordinate our summer and winter CWAC counts and these data continue to be important in understanding the state of estuaries, wetlands and other aquatic habitats in our region.and birdwatching events. These initiatives aim to raise awareness about the importance of bird conservation, promote sustainable birding practices, and foster a love for nature among people of all ages. Our winter CWAC count is scheduled for the 22 July and anyone interested in joining from any of the KZN Clubs is most welcome.

Outreach and Collaboration: BeKZN believes in the power of communication to inspire change. To that end, Nicolette Forbes as Chair was requested to present four or five bird talks to various garden clubs and others duirng May and June. Nicolette was also the invited guest speaker for BirdLife Sani’s AGM increasing the close collaboration between our two KZN clubs.

As we reflect on these activities I must acknowledge the dedication and passion of our members, volunteers, and partners who have contributed their time and expertise to make these endeavours a success. BirdLife eThekwini KZN is privileged to have such a vibrant community united by a common love for birds and their

conservation.

John Field from St Lucia Bird Club has managed to get a date for a birdingonly visit to the Zimanga Aloes and we have again mooted this as a KZN Rendezvous for all KZN birders and clubs. Please see the back page of this e-mag for more details. You can register to attend to be added to a temporary Whatsapp group to get messages about logistics, sightings, directions etc. A number of people will be staying over at uMkhuze Game Reserve to bird and get together as well as braai after the aloes. Please join us.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported BirdLife eThekwini KZN thus far. Your continued involvement, whether as members, volunteers, or advocates, is crucial to the success of all the bird conservation and awareness raising initiatives from a local club level through to our national partner BirdLife South Africa.

Happy birding!

Nicolette Forbes Chair BirdLife eThekwini KZN and Chair BirdLife KZN Forum

BirdLife KZN Midlands

I am very pleased that I don’t have to write stuff for a living as I sit here on a very cold and wet midlands day thinking of something to say!

One consolation is that despite the miserable weather, there are always birds to be spotted – gazing out the window at a juvenile Malachite Sunbird checking out our aloe. Hopefully the weather will improve and we can get down to some serious birding over the weekend. Birding possibilities was not one of the reasons we decided to retire to the Midlands but as I very happily have discovered, KZN is one of the best regions for a large variety of

birds. My life list plus knowledge of birds has improved substantially since becoming involved with the Midlands Bird Club and the Greater Ambers Natural Resources Club in Howick and am astounded at the birding knowledge and expertise located in the Midlands and the wonderful people here.

I am greatly enjoying going to new places and meeting new people whilst out birding and find that one learns something new about birds and birding with every outing. So, to those out there who haven’t yet been on a club outing for a while, I strongly urge you to join in with a

club outing wherever you are – you might be pleasantly surprised at how much you enjoy it!

Sean Glynn Chairperson BirdLife KZN Midlands

Ladysmith Birders

Autumn is a relatively quiet time for birding in the Ladysmith district, but this has not stopped the activities of members. Over 515 species were recorded by members locally and during trips through southern Africa, with nearly six and a half thousand birds recorded on BirdLasser during the two autumn months, April and May.

The most species recorded by an individual during this period was 272 by Rob Irons, followed closely by Carina Pienaar from BLSA who spotted 268 species. Members traveled the southern Cape, Kruger, the Kalahari, Mozambique and

Zululand, and saw more than 50% of the birds recorded in South Africa.

The seasonal challenges have helped members maintain a focus on birds and allows those left in the dry grasslands to experience the sightings of scarce species in South Africa. BirdLasser has certainly changed birding for the members. Members have also recorded 372 species, over 16 thousand sightings within 50 km of Ladysmith since July last year. Ladysmith Birders run an annual local count from July to June, allowing a comparison between years. This is an effective

monitoring tool showing the changes in local species over time. The winter challenge is running from May to August and has already served to record a high number of birds.

Alert members have recorded a few new species in the area, including Purple Crested Turaco. While a common bird along the coastal areas, this has not been seen in Ladysmith. Local birding spots, including Malandeni (aka the Ladysmith sewage works) Ingula and the two local reserves, Weenen and Spionkop, have contributed significantly to the local list. Attendees to the KZN Forum in March had the

opportunity to bird in these areas and contributed to the annual Ladysmith 50 km list. Everyone is welcome to join this challenge and contribute to this record. Contact Peter at the email below.

The Ladysmith Birders have two key objectives, to promote birding in the district, and to promote the district for birding. We are hopefully achieving these drivers, while serving as a forum for local birders to share the fun around birds. Anyone wanting more details on our small club is welcome to contact me on email nelson@bergmail.co.za, and to join us for a lark!

Peter Nelson Chairperson Ladysmith Birders

BirdLife Sani

We've had an exciting and eventful last quarter at BirdLife Sani, filled with engaging activities and noteworthy achievements.

At our AGM, we gathered to reflect on our accomplishments and set new goals for the future. It was a fantastic opportunity for members to come together and contribute their ideas and insights.

One of the highlights of the quarter was a captivating talk by Nicolette Forbes at our AGM on the Restoration of the Lake St Lucia estuary. Her presentation provided us with a deeper understanding of the estuary's ecological significance and the importance of its conservation. The talk was well-received by our members, sparking lively discussions and generating new ideas for our own conservation efforts.

In recognition of their exceptional contributions to birding and our club, we awarded honorary memberships to three extraordinary individuals: Malcolm Gemmell, Trish Strachan, and Stuart McLean. These individuals have been instrumental in shaping our club since its inception in 2002, and their dedication and passion for birding have left a lasting impact on our community.

We also welcomed Trish Strachan on to our Committee holding the portfolio of Events and Activities CoOrdinator.

As we move forward, let's celebrate the accomplishments of our club and the remarkable individuals who have played a pivotal role in our journey. Their commitment to birding and their tireless efforts in advancing our club's mission deserve our utmost

appreciation.

Together, we will continue to foster a vibrant birding community and make a positive impact on bird conservation. Let's embrace the spirit of collaboration and strive for even greater achievements in the coming months.

I am also looking forward to the KZN Forum at the end of September which is going to be held at Bonamanzi Game Reserve, Zululand, it is set to be a fantastic one so don’t miss out and go and register for it.

Tony Coetzer Chairman, BirdLife Sani

A view over the beautiful Ingula Nature Reserve, Ladysmith region taken during the BirdLife KZN Forum|Ladysmith during March 2023.

News from non-affiliated KZN bird clubs

At the AGM held on 24 a plea was made for an outing(s) to be held aimed primarily at less experienced birders. The first outing, was held on Saturday, May 6th. Led by Caroline Fox, the outing aimed to cater primarily to less experienced birders. The enthusiastic group, consisting of Caroline and other avid birders such as Ilze Coetzee, Sr ElisabethMarie, Sarie Erasmus, Lucy Erasmus, Alethea Rawson, Veronica Mthembu, and Sr Cecilia, embarked on a birdwatching walk starting at 6:00 in the morning.

Their efforts were rewarded as they identified an impressive total of 33 bird species throughout the day. Some of the notable species included Olive Sunbird, Greenbacked Cameroptera, and African Pied Wagtail.

Meanwhile, the Dolphin Coast Bird Club planned an outing to St Lucia, spanning several days in May. Members from both the Dolphin Coast Bird Club and the St Lucia Bird Club were invited to join forces for this adventure. The itinerary for the outing was packed with various activities aimed at immersing participants in the beauty of the local birdlife. The first day, included a morning arrival and accommodation

St Lucia Bird Club

arrangements in St Lucia Village, followed by a walk along the iGwalaGwala trail in the afternoon. In the evening, the group gathered for a delightful supper at John Dory. The following day, an exciting boat cruise was scheduled from 6:00 to 9:00, offering participants a unique perspective to observe birds along the estuary. This was followed by a visit to Eastern Shores, where everyone brought their own picnic lunches to enjoy amidst the natural surroundings.

The day concluded with a supper at the Skiboat Club, providing an opportunity for birders to connect and share their experiences.

On the third day, a beach walk to the estuary mouth. A light meal at the Georgiou Centre in the midday provided a chance to relax and refuel before indulging in leisurely birding activities. The day wrapped up with a traditional South African

braai, where participants savored delicious food while recounting their bird sightings.

Looking ahead, the St Lucia Bird Club is already making plans for another exciting outing. Originally intended as a visit to Kube Yini, the outing was redirected to Khuleni. Brian and Corlia Ring graciously offered their assistance in organizing the visit, which is scheduled for 10-11 June. Khuleni boasts an impressive list of 226 bird species, making it an attractive destination for birders.

John Field Chairman, St Lucia Bird Club

Below | Members of the St Lucia Bird Club enjoying birding with Dolphin Coast Bird Club in St Lucia Village

The Winter Solstice is approaching fast and the aloes are in full bloom

BirdLife KZN Forum 2023 Committee

Office Bearers

Chair | Nicolette Forbes (BirdLife eThekwini KZN)

Secretary | Carron Dove (BirdLife eThekwini KZN)

Treasurer | Tony Coetzer (BirdLife Sani)

Editor KZN Birds | Ticky Forbes (BirdLife eThekwini KZN)

BirdLife Affiliated Club Chairs (voting members)

Sean Glynn (BirdLife KZN Midlands)

Peter Nelson (Ladysmith Birders)

Otto Nel (BirdLife Northern KZN)

Nicolette Forbes (BirdLife eThekwini KZN)

Non-voting representatives invited to attend the BirdLife KZN Forum committee meeting:

Representatives from relevant KZN bird-related organisations invited to attend the committee meeting

KZN Rarities Committee Chair | Digby Cyrus

Natal Ornithological Trust | Steve Davis (BirdLife eThekwini KZN)

SABAP2 KZN representative | Cassie Carstens (BirdLife eThekwini KZN)

John Voelcker Bird Book Trust | Guy Upfold

Bird Club Chairs from non-affiliated clubs always invited to attend the committee meeting

John Field (St Lucia Bird Club

Chris MacDonald (Dolphin Coast Bird Club)

Harry Voorma (Mount Edgecombe Bird and Environment Club)

Carole Hills (Birdlife Zululand)

Memes to make you think ...