Birdwatching as a leisure activity is soaring in popularity, offering a refreshing escape from screen time, sedentary routines, and the everyday hustle. It brings together people of all ages, fostering connection, movement, and appreciation for birds and the natural world.
Last Sunday, more than 20 members of Birdlife Lowveld embraced this experience with a visit to Mountainlands, exploring diverse habitats – from riverine forests and mountainous grasslands to dense thickets – each increasing the chance of spotting a wider variety of birds. They were rewarded with sightings and sounds of 68 species throughout the morning, including a first-time encounter on the reserve with a Little Sparrowhawk and a White-starred Robin.
From left: A Little Sparrowhawk and White-starred Robin © W. Tarboton
Beyond the joy of discovery, their species list contributes to vital conservation efforts in the province. Mountainlands itself boasts an incredible array of birdlife, with 284 species recorded so far—and even more to be uncovered as surveys continue. With elevations ranging from 540m to 1640m above sea level, the reserve’s deep ravines, towering cliffs, perennial streams, low-lying bushveld, tree savanna, rolling grasslands, and mist belt forests create a haven for bird diversity. Who knows which fascinating species will be added in the future?
Below is the list of 68 species seen on Sunday.
|
1 |
Bar-Throated Apalis |
|
2 |
Yellow-breasted Apalis |
|
3 |
Black-collared Barbet |
|
4 |
Cape Batis |
|
5 |
Chinspot Batis |
|
6 |
Southern Boubou |
|
7 |
Dark-capped Bulbul |
|
8 |
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting |
|
9 |
Gorgeous Bushshrike |
|
10 |
Grey-headed Bushshrike |
|
11 |
Olive Bushshrike |
|
12 |
Jackal Buzzard |
|
13 |
Green Camaroptera |
|
14 |
Yellow Fronted Canary |
|
15 |
Familiar Chat |
|
16 |
Lazy Cisticola |
|
17 |
Wailing Cisticola |
|
18 |
Black Cuckooshrike |
|
19 |
Laughing Dove |
|
20 |
Emerald-spotted wood Dove |
|
21 |
Square-tailed Drongo |
|
22 |
African Firefinch |
|
23 |
African Paradise Flycatcher |
|
24 |
Ashy Flycatcher |
|
25 |
Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher |
|
26 |
Southern Black Flycatcher |
|
27 |
African Goshawk |
|
28 |
Cape Grassbird |
|
29 |
Sombre Greenbul |
|
30 |
White-crested Helmetshrike |
|
31 |
Scaly-throated Honeyguide |
|
32 |
African Hoopoe |
|
33 |
Brown-hooded Kingfisher |
|
34 |
Yellow-throated Longclaw |
|
35 |
Eastern Nicator |
|
36 |
African Olive Pigeon |
|
37 |
Drakensburg Prinia |
|
38 |
Tawny-flanked Prinia |
|
39 |
Black-backed Puffback |
|
40 |
White-starred Robin |
|
41 |
Black Saw-wing |
|
42 |
Streaky-headed Seedeater |
|
43 |
White-crested Helmet-Shrike |
|
44 |
Little Sparrowhawk |
|
45 |
Natal Spurfowl |
|
46 |
Red-winged Starling |
|
47 |
African Stonechat |
|
48 |
Gurney’s Sugarbird |
|
49 |
Amethyst Sunbird |
|
50 |
Collared Sunbird |
|
51 |
Greater Double-collared Sunbird |
|
52 |
Southern Double-collared Sunbird |
|
53 |
White-bellied Sunbird |
|
54 |
Greater-striped Swallow |
|
55 |
Lesser Striped Swallow |
|
56 |
African Palm Swift |
|
57 |
Little Swift |
|
58 |
Black-crowned Tchagra |
|
59 |
Kurrichane Thrush |
|
60 |
Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird |
|
61 |
Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird |
|
62 |
Souther Black Tit |
|
63 |
Purple Crested Turaco |
|
64 |
Green Twinspot |
|
65 |
Mountain Wagtail |
|
66 |
Common Waxbill |
|
67 |
Cape White-eye |
|
68 |
Olive Woodpecker |
