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 Magpie and Red-backed Mannikins are much more restricted in their distribution. I have sourced these maps from the SABAP2 project. https://sabap2.birdmap.africa/

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 platform in place and a final image of the platform decorated with a few sticks to entice the birds to make their nest there.

Thank you Ruan, hope we can put more nests platforms up.

Our Blog describing the original nest platform erection.

See the YouTube video of Ruan Viljoen climbing and attaching the platform.

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 that helps place the thinking at that time. The name at the top of each “blurb” is the name used for that edition. The map of the Brown-necked Parrot from the Roberts Bird Guide 2nd edition still indicates that the Cape and Brown-necked parrots share a similar distribution. I will describe in a later post that this is no longer thought to be the case.

Brown-necked Parrot Poicephalus robustus Distribution: Alexandria forest eastwards to Natal and Zoutpansberg; Damaraland and Rhodesia northwards to West Africa and Tanzania. Habits: Not uncommon, but rather restricted in its habitat, being common in some areas and rare in others quite close by. Essentially a bird of the forests and thick bush.

Cape Parrot(Brown-necked Parrot) Poicephalus robustus Distribution: Africa S of Sahara; in s Africa confined to E, SE and Caprivi. Habitat: Evergreen and riverine forest, well developed woodland. Roosts and nests above 900 m in most of S Africa, but in Baobab and riverine woodland in Limpopo Valley; roosts singly, not in flocks. May fly over 100 km to feeding areas, usually lower-lying and coastal forests, using set flight paths; forages by clambering about high in trees.

Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus Status: Locally common to rare nomadic resident; seasonal migrant in n Zimbabwe, August to December. Vulnerable (RDB). Northern subspecies P. r. suahe- licus has grey head and probably discontinuous distribution, so could be separate species.

Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus STATUS Rare and localised endemic with a total population of under 1000 birds (2004). Regarded as Endangered with numbers still decreasing due to low br success and losses to captive bird trade. Sedentary but undertakes long-distance feeding forays between forests. Usually in small flocks or family groups. HABITAT Afromontane forest; occasionally forages elsewhere, such as in pecan nut plantations.

Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus Blurb almost identical to 1st edition Roberts Bird Guide

Brown-necked Parrot Poicephalus fuscicollis Habitat Riparian and lowland savanna, usually with Baobab trees; does not usually enter Afromontane forest in our region. Food Primarily kernels of unripe fruit from Marula (Sclerocarya), Mobola Plum (Parinari), Nyala-tree (Xanthocercis), and corkwoods (Commiphora); also fruit flesh. Br Nests high in Baobab cavities.

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 been placed at spots where you can relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Walk the trails in the at first light and soak up the sounds of the morning bird chorus. Find a bench and wait for the birds to come to you while you sip your coffee. In the afternoons and evenings, the birding from your veranda can be very entertaining.

This is the map of all the walks and spots for birding on Dragonwyck Farm. The total distance is about 4km. Because of the mountainous nature of the farm, only the roads are suitable for guests who have disabilities.

Bird Hide

We have recently built a bird hide in our house forest. Twenty years ago this area was a litchi orchard. We removed the litchis as the monkeys were not keen to share the fruit. We allowed the natural regrowth of local shrubs and trees and also planted selected specimen trees.

The hide was made using old creosote poles and corrugated roofing sheets found in our shed.

This is the view from inside the hide

The forest trees and grass in front of the hide.

Birds photographed from the hide.

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 offered. Cell: 0653591516 email: info@ecotrips.co.za https://www.ecotrips.co.za

David Letsoalo and Paul Nkhumane will help you find the birds of Magoebaskloof and surrounds.. They have years of experience guiding in the region and know their birding areas and birds very well.

Follow this link to get more background info on these excellent birding guides.

David Letsoalo can be contacted on 0835684678

Paul Nkhumane can be contacted on 0843549710

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 Bird Guide 2, their peak nesting season is July-September. This Black Sparrowhawk nest is so high that there is no chance to get a view into the nest, the Sparrowhawks could well be in residence. According to David, Crowned Eagles are also nesting in this copse of giant Eucalypts. They were calling but I could not find their nest.

Other birds I heard calling: Narina Trogon, Barratt’s Warbler, Terrestrial Brownbul, African Emerald Cuckoo, Sombre Greenbul.

These trees were planted in 1906 by Mr Eastwood. My blog article gives some background as to why these Eucalyptus trees were planted so many years ago. Although Eucalypts provide us with much needed poles and saw wood they are highly invasive and threaten our water resources. Here is a very interesting Link.

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 route is where it joins the R71. The route runs through mostly commercial cattle farming area. The route passes an interesting Prickly Pear plantation, reinforcing the dryness of the area. The vegetation is acacia thornveld. In winter, the flowering aloes provide lots of colour.

The route covers part of the SABAP2 pentad 2355_2950 wherein 212 bird species have been recorded over the years.

My suggestion for birding is that you drive slowly until you hear a bird calling. Stop, park on the side of the road and walk up and down the road. Please do not go through fences to follow a bird! You might be approached by a farmer checking up on a strange car. This is a public, road so birders are well within their rights to use the road.

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 SAFCOL Woodbush Plantation (Agatha) signboard. Turn right onto the dirt road. Drive under a avenue of massive gum trees then a gap and then a second avenue of gum trees. In the fifth tree of the second set of gum trees you will find the Bat Hawk nest first discovered in 1967.

The Bat Hawk nest is on a branch facing the opposite side of the road, about 25m up. Note the metal frame that underpins the nest.

Usually you will find one or both of the birds sitting quietly on a branch high up in one of the adjacent gum trees. Early morning and early evening will probably find the birds off on a hunt. Recently the birds have been reported to be roosting in the adjacent pine tree plantations!

History of the Bat Hawk Nest Site

The New Agatha Bat Hawks were first noticed by Dave Steyn in 1967 whilst collecting Eucalyptus seeds in the course of his work for the Department of Forestry. Over the next few years Archie van Reenen and Peter Williams noticed that the Bat Hawk nest was never completed. Even a slight wind would blow the nest down. Probably because gum trees have very smooth bark and they had chosen a very wide fork in the tree.

Frank van Reenen, Archie’s 10 year old son, was hauled up 25m to the branch in a mielie-meal bag. In the picture he can be seen attaching a platform of chicken wire to the branch. He was hauled up a second time to place some sticks that had previously fallen off the nest on the wire platform.

Within two days they continued building the nest and 1969 was the first year the birds had a successful breeding season. Bat Hawks have been breeding at the same site ever since.

Source: FOR THE LOVE OF BIRDS by ARCHIE VAN REENEN

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 to date. Many of these can be seen from the birders cottages on the
farm.

Birds of Magoebaskloof include Black-fronted Bush-Shrikes, Olive Bush-Shrikes, Narina Trogons, Yellow-streaked Greenbuls, Olive Thrushes, Orange Ground-Thrushes, Yellow-throated Woodland-Warblers, Green Twinspots, Mountain Wagtails, Forest Buzzards, Scaly-throated Honeyguides, White-starred Robin-Chats, Chorister Robin-Chats, Blue-Mantled Crested flycatchers, Barrats Warblers and Black Saw-wings.

Within a 50km radius of woodbush there are a number of different vegetative types. Birding in the greater Magoebaskloof district covers forests, grassland, dry thornveld and riverine habitats, all within easy driving distance of Magoebaskloof Birders Cottages.

Birding in Magoebaskloof

• Swartbos Trail is an excellent 3km trail which passes through a mistbelt forest.
• Woodbush Forest is one of the premier birding spots in South Africa, and is a short drive away in the adjacent valley.
• Haenertsburg Common (or Louis Changuion) is a 10km trail which passes through grassland and forest patches of the Haenertsburg Common.
• Serala Drive takes you through the Haenertsburg rain shadow characterised by dry thornveld before climbing up into the Wolkberg Mountains. This spot offers wonderful views of the Wolkberg Wilderness area from the Serala picnic site.