There are three Mannikin species in South Africa and all can be seen in our area. The Red-backed and Bronze Mannikins are common on our farm. The Magpie Mannikin can be seen in Tzaneen. David Letsoalo and Paul Nkhumane are whizzes at finding them. The maps below show that the Bronze Mannikin is widespread. The … Read more
A few weeks ago the most recent nest platform and its supporting branch fell down. Ruan Viljoen from the Warriors Academy volunteered to erect a new platorm. The only suitable branch we found is 10m up. We sincerely hope the Bat Hawks accept the new platform. These pictures show Ruan climbing the tree, attaching the … Read more
Using the Roberts bird books on my shelf I have tried to trace the emergence of the Cape Parrot name, as we know it today. I scanned the maps from the books. The caption on the map indicates which version of Roberts that the map comes from. I have also selected some of the information … Read more
Walking and Birding on Dragonwyck Our cottages are surrounded by plants selected to attract birds. This is perfect for the birders who prefer the birds to come to them. Over the years we have developed many trails. Some follow the streams and pass through riverine bush. Others take you into our forest. Concrete benches have … Read more
Are you looking for bird guides to help you tick more lifers or help you enjoy a days birdwatching in new and unknown surroundings. Marianne McKenzie of Ecotrips offers a wide range of guided half-day and full-day trips in the Magoebaskloof disrtrict. Provides 4×4 transport and freshly prepared refreshments. Further afield and longer trips also … Read more
These excellent photographs were taken by Conrad Visser in the winter of 2021 in our Limpopo Escarpment Forest. The conditions were cold and mostly overcast. The Yellow-bellied Greenbul is a first for me on the farm. The other birds are typically seen when ever you go out birding. The SABAP2 pentad that covers the farm.
This morning, 19 September, I took a drive to the tallest planted tree in the world. David Letsoalo a local bird guide had given me directions to a Black Sparrowhawk nest located just behind the tallest tree. I found the nest without any difficulty but there was no sign of the birds. According to Roberts … Read more
The Rain Shadow Birding Route, as its name implies, is very dry compared to the Woodbush Forest and Magoebaskloof Birders Cottage only about 15km to the north east. I have assigned the beginning of the route as the point where the Annies Fortune road drops down in the dry Ga-Molepo region. The end of the … Read more
Where is the Bat hawk Nesting Site Important notice: This nest has fallen down but efforts are being made to put a platform back in the original position. The New Agatha Bat Hawk nest site is about a 30 minute drive from Magoebaskloof Birders Cottage. Google maps link https://goo.gl/maps/ Keep a look out for the … Read more
Birding in Magoebaskloof has resulted in over 300 species of indigenous birds sighted and recorded to date. Bird sightings on Dragonwyck Farm itself, has recorded 107 bird species
