Up with the sun, eyes on the horizon
The hilltops of Mountainlands were still bathed in the soft, bruised purple of twilight when the first engines cut out, replaced by the hushed whispers of anticipation. For more than twenty members of Birdlife Lowveld, yesterday wasn’t just a field trip—it was a sunrise pilgrimage into the heart of the reserve.
As the sun finally fractured over the jagged horizon, flooding the valleys with gold, the group set off in earnest. The morning was a rhythmic dance of “drive, stop, listen and scan,” a slow-motion safari where every rustle in the thicket and chirp promised a new discovery.
The Lemon Dove, Mountain Wagtail and Dark-backed Weaver. Photos: W Tarboton
The highlight of the day unfolded along the Hysslops Creek track also known as Fourteen Streams by locals. Here, the group traded their vehicles for stream crossings and the crunch of gravel underfoot, embarking on a leisurely trek where the world seemed to narrow down to the flash of a wing and the melody of a hidden call. The bush rewarded their patience with spectacular sightings such as the Dark-backed Weaver, the shy Lemon Dove and the Mountain Wagtail bobbing gracefully along the water’s edge.
Eyes on the canopy of the riverine thicket
The adventure culminated in the best way possible—a communal picnic under the tree canopy next to the creek. Surrounded by the echoes of the morning’s sightings, it was a moment to toast to the birds, the mountains, and the simple, vibrant joy of the find.
