York House B&B
Bird Watching
in Gillitts, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
GUIDED FOREST BIRD WALKS
Bird watching in the upper highway area is excellent. We have Shongweni Reserve, ten minutes drive from
Hillcrest. The dam is surrounded by valley bushveld and riverine forest that provide interesting birding (366 recorded species). The reserve is approx 1500 ha in extent. Pygmy Kingfisher is common in summer while the larger Giant and Pied Kingfisher are resident. Other species to look out for include Narina Trogon, Olive Thrush, Orange-Breasted Bush Shrike, Grey & Swee Waxbill. There are a few recordings of African Broadbill from this area. Mocking Chat, Stripped Pipit and Cape Rock Thrush are regularly found on the rocky outcrops overlooking the dam. African Fish Eagle, Lanner Falcon & Crowned Eagle are often seen flying along the cliff face. Crowned & Trumpeter Hornbills, Honeyguide, Golden-tailed & Cardinal Woodpeckers and Cuckooshrike are common.
Horseback Trails to the far side of the reserve can be arranged where Rhino and Buffalo can be viewed close up. Giraffe, Wildebeest, Kudu, Waterbuck and many smaller mammals are founf in the reserve.
Most of the above birds can also be seen at Krantzkloof Gorge Nature Reserve, one of the best spots in KwaZulu to watch forest birds.
Knysna & Purple Crested Loeries, Grey Cuckoo Shrike are common. Olive Woodpecker, Brown Robin, Starred Robin, Paradise & Blue Mantled Flycatcher, Cape & Chinspot Batis are fairly common. A good spot to see the longtailed wagtail who nests at the many waterfalls found in the Gorge.KKNR and Shongweni are Wahlberg's Eagle's most Southerly know breeding sites in Africa. Crowned & Martial Eagles are regularly seen soaring above the Gorge.
A full days birding can cover both Reserves comfortably.
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