… Livingstone’s Turaco, Green Malkoha, Dark-backed Weaver, Narina Trogon, Olive Sunbird, Black-throated Wattle-eye (usually near water), African Emerald Cuckoo (summer), Southern Boubou, and Terrestrial Brownbul. Nosy flocks of both the Crowned and Trumpeter Hornbills move through the forest, searching for ripened figs. Seeding grasses attract the Grey Waxbill, Green Twinspot, Red-backed Mannikin and occasionally Pink-throated Twinspot (rare here, at the southern limit of its range). The Red-capped Robin-chat and Brown Scrub-robin are both common within these forests and are best located by their rich songs. In summer, listen too for the haunting calls of the Buff-spotted Flufftail as several pars of these shy birds reside in the forest. The localized Mangrove Kingfisher and Spotted Ground Thrush are mainly winter visitors and may be seen in both the forest, as well as the mangroves near the mouth to the St. Lucia estuary. Search for many of the same species near the Iphiva campsite and trail, where African Wood Owl calls regularly at night.

The estuary itself supports small numbers of the regal Saddle-billed Stork, together with both the Yellow-billed and Woolly-necked Storks. Reedbeds flanking the estuary should be checked for the Rufous-winged Cisticola and Southern Brown-throated Weaver, both of which are common. Scour the extensive mudflats in the summer months for Ruff, Ruddy Turnstone, Grey Plover, Pied Avocet, both Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers, Whimbrel, and occasionally Eurasian Curlew. A large tern roost also often forms near the mouth supporting the Swift (Greater Crested), Caspian, Sandwich, Little (mainly in summer), Common (mainly in summer), and Lesser Crested (late summer) Terns. Birders should also remain mindful of vagrant species including the Eurasian Oystercatcher, Great Frigatebird, Brown Noddy and Sooty Tern.

The road to Cape Vidal is perhaps the best area anywhere in South Africa to search for the threatened Southern Banded Snake-eagle. These impressive birds are usually seen perched on telephone poles near forest in the late afternoon, together with both the Brown and Black-chested Snake-eagles. African Cuckoo-hawk is also regular in the area and may turn up anywhere, while a pair of Palmnut Vultures breed in the Raphia Palms near the Crocodile Farm and Cape Vidal offices. Coveys of Crested Guineafowl emerge at the roadside to feed, while patches of forest here support many of the same species as in St. Lucia town. Grassland habitats should yield the Yellow-throated Longclaw, Grey-rumped Swallow and Croaking Cisticola. When wet, look for both Rosy-throated Longclaw and Swamp Nightjar; the latter usually found on a night drive with one of the many tour operators in St. Lucia. Recently burnt areas may hold both the Black-winged and Senegal Lapwings. Pans within the reserve could hold both the Lesser Jacana and African Pygmy Goose, with both species sharing a preference for well-vegetated habitats dominated by floating lily pads. Note that one must remain within their vehicle at all times given that this is a dangerous game area, except at the fenced Cape Vidal camp site near the northern limit.

Cape Vidal is the best area anywhere in South Africa for Woodward’s Batis, Green Twinspot and Brown Scrub-robin; all of which can easily be seen on a short walk through the campsite. Brown Scrub-robin is especially vocal in the early mornings, Green Twinspot visits leaking taps to drink but can otherwise be found feeding on seeding grasses at the forest edge, and Woodward’s Batis is best detected by its regularly uttered calls from the midstratum. Many of the other forest specials can also be seen in this area including African Broadbill and Olive Bush-shrike.

Key species:

Woodward’s Batis, Green Twinspot, Livingstone’s Turaco, Rudd’s Apalis, Buff-spotted Flufftail, Green Malkoha, Mangrove Kingfisher, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Narina Trogon, Gorgeous Bush-shrike