As we aspire towards yet another fast approaching festive season, much needed rest and relaxation is surely on the cards for many of us. For others, this time constitutes one of the busiest periods of the year, but also one of the most energetic and joy-filled. Warm and humid summer days by the pool, bring back childhood memories of lamb on the spit, thunderstorms in the afternoon, and a wealth of greenery, ecological prosperity, and vibrant energy all abound.
With local migrants, as well as residents, having mostly completed their breeding, or still being busy and in full swing – perhaps with a second brood if they were successful earlier in the season, birding is once again at maximum capacity. There are also a handful of migrants like Amur Falcon and Southern Carmine Bee-eater still to appear. Once these have arrived, there will be a complete full house of expected species for us here in the north east of the country.
As far as birding in the region goes, there are a number of aspects to assimilate in a wider context, in order to understand some of the parameters that birders work within. The first is to consider what is in fact, our region. Southern Africa refers to all regions south of the Kunene and Zambezi Rivers, as well as within 200 nautical miles (about 370 kilometres) from shore into both the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. According to the field guides, most birders in the country are largely focused on their Southern African lists.
Despite both South Africa and Mozambique having more area to their respective areas than the region dictates, with the limitations of the geographical boundaries, we essentially separate the essential from non-essential areas of these two countries. In the former there are the islands like Tristan, Gough, Inaccessible and Marion, Mozambique however has more landmass above the imaginary line of birding as there is below.
For many international visitors, the most important birds that are on their “hit list” are endemics. Endemics, as mentioned, are those species that occur in South or Southern Africa, but nowhere else. Although several are truly special, many of these are actually common throughout the country, and thus offer little or no appeal to local, home-grown enthusiasts. Species like Cape White-eye, Southern Boubou, Cape Robin-Chat and Cape Starling offer little to birders whose list exceeds a level of 100 to 150 species, and who regularly are out birding.
Whether in the garden or at local spots, there are is only so much that widespread species do to capture those who see them on a day-in and day-out basis, despite setting travellers pulses racing. As mentioned before, keeping a list is both a vital and exhilarating part of birding as a whole. For many people, listing within their native region means that birds remain familiar, and yet there are some that require a certain level of adventure in order to clasp eyes on.
For many who pour over bird books in their spare time, there are always those few that draw emotion beyond the rest. Species like Narina Trogon, Pink-throated Twinspot, Wandering Albatross, Bat Hawk, Gorgeous Bush Shrike and Blue Swallow are a few, which from the very first glance, have a high place on many a ‘most wanted’ list. Whether keeping a year list or simply a record of all the birds seen so far, or, in birding nomenclature, one’s life list, the keeping of lists helps to push one’s birding ever forwards.
What has become clear over the past several years of regional, in other words, Southern African listing, has been the appearance of concentric rings of what the region has to offer upcoming and energetic birders. For both those new to the hobby, as well as those who are wishing to explore more or even perhaps see a lifetime target or two, there is an easy way to carve up the region into short but intrepid adventures in search of the country’s avian treasures. The magic number, revered by birders throughout the area, is 800. To reach 800 species within the confines of Southern Africa represents no small feat, to reach this number, takes commitment and dedication but offers many jewels in the crown of those who reach this local milestone.
So, knowing how incredible the birding is within the region, and, with a wide variety of species throughout the realm, how does one begin to eat the proverbial elephant ahead? In other words, how does one go about the planning process of increasing one’s experience and lists? This, as well as getting into places where some of their greatest targets can be met and enjoyed with as little difficulty as possible. Luckily, when it comes to birding, much of the trail has been blazed by those before, and during the last half a century that modern day birding has existed. Thus today, there are reliable sites and places for almost all species found in the field guide, apart from vagrants obviously, which are once-off records and random by nature. In many cases, simply by travelling to the right places and by knowing what to look for, or who to connect with, there are great chances to see all but a handful of protected species.
One major benefit of travelling for the purpose of birding, is being able to immerse oneself within a host of amazing places, both wilderness or within the bounds of what seem like concrete jungles. This is especially true when thinking on a local scale, and each region with its amazingly diverse biological terrains and assets. This means that there is hardly a place in South Africa that doesn’t constitute an incredible starting point.
Within one’s immediate area, in birding terms this usually refers to a roughly 100km radius around a city or municipality. Most consistent citizens could log between 250 and 300 species with some regular targeted birding. This applies to Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, alongside regions such as Nelspruit, Polokwane and even Hoedspruit. Simply by exploring known birding spots and areas of varying habitat within an hour or two’s drive from home, active birding can yield a wealth of new and exciting species only dreamed of while flicking through a copy of Roberts, Newman’s or Sasol.
From a Kruger to Canyons biosphere perspective, there are several hubs that intertwine within the region surrounding Hoedspruit. Perhaps the most obvious of these is the Greater Kruger, both public and private. This national park with its pristine savannah, harbours a number of endangered species like Hooded and White-headed Vulture, Secretarybird and Steppe Eagle. Localised specialities like Brown-headed Parrot, Retz’s Helmetshrike, Stierlings Wren-Warbler, Olive Tree Warbler, and much, much more, mean that day lists in summer can easily reach over 200 species for those alert to calls and sounds. Another hotspot in the area is the sourveld alongside the rocky gorges of the biosphere reserve, as well as Moholoholo, mentioned in our last article. These areas are great for transitional species and offer a link to the montane grasslands above. These grasslands that surround Graskop and beyond, become more and more significant and pristine as one heads to the pleateau of the Vorlerenvallei Nature Reserve outside Dullstroom.
Even more alien, the afrotropical forests of Magoebaskloof, with its excellent local community guides, are a mecca for birders heralding from all over the country. Yet for those in this area of the lowveld, here they are, sitting almost as a dormant neighbour at the footstep of Hoedspruit. These specialist guides are both professional and capable of providing specials such as Cape Parrot, Black-fronted Bush Shrike and Bat Hawk to those keen on even just a morning’s birding in this, a totally new environment.
The ability for those hoping to increase their lists, even for those travelling through the area for the holiday season, is prime. A few active days of birding in various regional spots, each being stress free day trip destinations, can easily rocket a basic list to the realms of 350 to 400, or even higher. This is especially true if visitors are coming from Gauteng or the Cape. If experiencing a new habitat, the potential for a rapid accumulation of new and exciting birds is surprisingly possible in a short space of time.
Local guides are incredibly valuable. Even in regions like the big cities of Cape Town and Gauteng, there are a number of excellent guides who charge a fair rate, and who offer excellent chances of seeing very difficult or secretive birds. This daily guiding rate for any bird guide throughout the country, is best offset by travelling small groups. It is important to do some homework in order to enjoy the birds when seen, knowing what to look and listen for, adds huge value when able to see specials for the first time, maximizing the hours dedicated to, and spent out birding.
In general once having attained the realm of 400 or so, then it is time to stretch one’s legs to one or other of the South African quadrants. These quadrants are The Cape Region, Gauteng, which is surprisingly excellent for birding, Kwa-Zulu Natal and The Lowveld. In terms of list numbers, if one has extensively birded in two of these regions, they can roughly expect lists of up to 450 to 500 species. By filling in the next gaps, the remaining untapped regions of new birds, often results in climbing up to 650 or just higher, all still within the nation of South Africa alone.
What is great about this, is that while travelling for birding, it also means travelling through places of great appeal and lustre for many patriotic patriots. The experience of great vistas and expanses such as the Karoo, Namaqualand, Zululand, coast to coast, and even wildlife havens amidst the sprawl of humanity, offer an independent and in-depth view of what South Africa has to offer. Birding offers a focal point from which to experience the country itself in all of its magnificent beauty and variety. Yes, the list is important and a driving factor, but the benefits are far more than the birds themselves.
Having said this, to reach the realms of 700 and 800, those who can travel yet further have the best opportunity to do so. Whether by design, for the purpose of birding, or for those who get the opportunity to visit areas within Southern Africa for work, family or pleasure, simply being in areas of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Botswana, offer a wealth of new species. Passive travel is bound to offer a number of new birds, but for those who are now hooked, the best way to get the best out of each destination is to focus on birding. This can be by self-driving with mates to well-known sites, or by joining dedicated tours led by specialists who have their craft to a tee.
From 650 to 800 is a slow climb of three to four major, two week or more, dedicated trips. Pilgrimages to the likes of the Panhandle of the Okavango Delta, the Zambezi Delta of Mozambique, the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe and the north-western tip of the Namib Damaraland, are all areas requiring an adventurous spirit, and have the allure not just to birders, but intrepid travellers of any kind.
There will always be birds missed and reasons to come back and visit favoured places, but the joy of capturing ever difficult new birds in such a variety of settings, is truly a goal on its own.
The road to 800 offers a legitimate and arduous challenge for any avid birder, one that can take years to achieve, and can be the focal point of many trips, as well as time spent with friends and family ahead. Support of local guides offers great chances to get glimpses of birds that each individual holds as special. The best way to begin is to explore one’s area, from there, perhaps taking advantage of travel when there is a chance, for a sneaky day out birding with a specialist. From there, taking chances to see what is possible with the opportunities and planned trips birders have, can continuously offer a wealth of cherished memories.
No matter whether your list sits at 300, 100 or even if starting at zero with the onset of this new year, this festive season, get out to some local hotspots not yet visited, especially those that have local guides, and try to add a bird or two, or even a secret life-long target of yours, to your ever-growing life list.
