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During March we had the pleasure of taking a couple of "casual birders" from Wales on our 'Berg & Bush Safari' to the KwaZulu-Natal midlands and the foothills of the Drakensberg Mountains. On the first two nights we were very comfortably accommodated at Riverside Lodge in Umsuluzi Game Reserve, followed subsequently by an overnight stay at equally superb accommodation at Dragon Peaks Park. Both of these areas have impressive Bird Checklists.

Unfortunately (by South African standards) the weather conditions were "not great" for birding, with un-seasonal rain and drizzle, this accompanied on the first night by a heavy thunderstorm upstream in the catchment area of the Bloukrans River.  

The river level below our thatch on stone cottage at Riverside Lodge
rose by several meters in a matter of minutes, this accompanied by the
thunderous roar of the raging waters. Gradually the river level subsided
after mid-night and the aftermath of the high water level became visible
in the early dawn light. A minor access bridge in the Game Reserve had been washed away in the night, but this was swiftly repaired by staff at Umsuluzi.

Notwithstanding the adverse weather, our group was able to "tick" a total of 85 different species over the short trip - not a record, but not bad under the circumstances. Of the raptors, we had good sightings of African Fish Eagle, Steppe Buzzard, Jackal Buzzard, Cape Vulture, Eastern Red-Footed Kestrel, and Gymnogene. Some other sightings of interest included Titbabbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Fiscal Flycatcher, Orangethroated Longclaw, and Red-backed Shrike.

Anyone wishing to view the full bird checklist for the trip,  please write
to mike@bushveld-birders.co.za

Mike Johnston
Bushveld Birders