North West – Kgaswane Nature Reserve

About the Birding

Kgwasane’s entrance gate is found in woodland and is a perfect stop for some initial birding and a leg stretch. Here you could get onto White-throated Robin-chat, Black-headed Oriole, Grey-backed Cameroptera in the understorey, Tawny-flanked Prinia and Brown-hooded Kingfisher.

Tall grassland areas interspersed with trees is the haunt of Rufous-naped Lark, Coqui Francolin, Striped Kingfisher and Black-crowned Tchagra. Dense woodland is favoured by the likes of Southern Boubou, Bar-throated Apalis, Kurrichane Thrush and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird. Rocky slopes are best scrutinised for Nicholson’s Pipit, Striped Pipit, Short-toed Rock Thrush and Lazy Cisticola. Several lookout points in the reserve provide access to this habitat and keep an eye overhead for Cape Vulture and African Black Swift.

The Sable Loop game drive route is tarred and traverses a sweeping valley with grassland and broad-leaved woodland dominated by wild seringa and common hook thorn trees. The grassy plains often has Ant-eating Chat, displaying Wing-snapping Cisticola, Cape Longclaw, African Quail-finch, African Pipit and ever-present Zitting Cisticola. Moist seeps are good places to listen for calling Cape Grassbird too.

The campsite is found in mixed woodland and also offers good birding for species such as Mocking Cliff Chat, Chinspot Batis, Blue Waxbill, Southern Black Flycatcher, Brown-backed Honeybird, yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Groundscraper Thrush, Golden-tailed Woodpecker and the stunning White-throated Robin-chat. This was also the location of vagrant Tree Pipits that caused much excitement amongst local birders and is an easily-missed species. The Vlei Ramble Trail from the camping area leads to a viewing hut over a wetland where one could see some waterbirds. The wetland supports amongst others Great Reed Warbler, African Reed Warbler, African Snipe and a large Barn Swallow roost in summer. The walk down can also be good for Grey Tit-flycatcher and Jameson’s Firefinch. The Peglerae Trail also leads from the camping area and climbs into rocky habitat good for Mountain Wheatear, Striped Pipit, Familiar Chat, Cape Bunting and Short-toed Rock Thrush. If you sleep over listen for Freckled Nightjar with their dog-like yelping call and African Scops-Owl.

The southern part of the Sable Loop drive goes through varied habitats and keeps an eye out for Red-winged Francolin, White-bellied Korhaan, Spike-heeled Lark, Wailing Cistiocola and Bokmakierie.

Black-chested Snake Eagle and Brown Snake Eagle are regular. Cape Eagle-Owl have bred here, and Eurasian Hobby is seen frequently in summer.

Key species:

Cape Vulture, White-bellied Korhaan, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Rock Kestrel, Verreaux’s Eagle, Cape Eagle-Owl, Eurasian Hobby, Black Cuckooshrike, Nicholson’s Pipit, Short-toed Rock Thrush

About the Birding Site

Kgaswane Mountain Reserve adjacent to the town of Rustenburg can be very rewarding as it gives one the opportunity to drive up into the mountainous areas. This 5300 hectare reserve is set in the biodiverse habitats of the northern slopes of the Magaliesberg Mountains. Habitats vary from quartzite peaks, broadleaved woodland to stands of protea trees, to wetlands and rolling grasslands. The principal wetland which forms the central area of the reserve is the catchment area for the Hex River.

Of the over 450 bird species recorded for the Magaliesberg area, 320 have been recorded in the reserve. The reserve is famous for its hiking trails. The Peglerae Trail is 5.5 km long and an option for the day. Two overnight trails, The Summit Route (25.3km) and Baviaanskrans Route (19.5km) are also popular.

Kgaswane has good numbers of sable antelope, eland, greater kudu, red hartebeest, zebra, impala, blesbok, common waterbuck, mountain reedbuck, oribi and Chacma baboon.

Key species:

Cape Vulture, White-bellied Korhaan, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Rock Kestrel, Verreaux’s Eagle, Cape Eagle-Owl, Eurasian Hobby, Black Cuckooshrike, Nicholson’s Pipit, Short-toed Rock Thrush

Other Related Information

Access and facilities:
The reserve is situated on the outskirts of the town of Rustenburg. An entrance fee is payable and there are camping sites.
http://www.parksnorthwest.co.za/kgaswane-mountain-reserve/

Other related information:

Recommended accommodation nearby:
No BirdLife Recommended Accommodations are in the area.

Local guide information:
No BirdLife Recommended Tour Operators are in the area.

Text prepared by:
Martin Benadie | Specialist Birding Guide

Key species:

Cape Vulture, White-bellied Korhaan, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Rock Kestrel, Verreaux’s Eagle, Cape Eagle-Owl, Eurasian Hobby, Black Cuckooshrike, Nicholson’s Pipit, Short-toed Rock Thrush

Contact details:

Kgaswane Mountain Reserve
Tel: +27 (0)14 533 2050
E-mail: kgaswane@nwpb.org.za
Website: http://www.northwestparks.org.za/