Keep your eyes and ears peeled for Monotonous Larks which become particularly vocal in the much wetter, summer months as they go about their display flights. The likes of Sabota Lark, Black-faced and Violet-eared Waxbill, Shaft-tailed Whydah, Black-backed Puffback, Southern White-crowned Shrike, and Brubru are all around in good numbers and generally easily encountered when birding the bushveld dominated areas. Make sure to stop at any river crossings, most noticeably those of the Eland’s and Pienaars River which both traverse the reserve, and keep your eyes peeled for Half-collared Kingfisher and the ever-elusive African Finfoot. These rivers are also great for the much more common residents including Tawny-flanked Prinia, African Black Duck, Black Crake, Southern Masked Weaver, and Common Waxbill.

A popular area to spend some time around if birders are only passing through as day visitors are any of the publicly accessible dams which often have lilies on them. These are great for White-backed Duck and the occasional African Pygmy Goose, whilst Water Thick-knee will inevitably be picked-up if one were to diligently scan the shoreline. Make sure to sift through the mixed hirundine flocks in summer for Pearl-breasted Swallow and Common House Martin which will inevitably be in amongst Little, White-rumped, and African Palm Swifts, Greater Striped, Lesser Striped, and Barn Swallows.

Acacia-dotted lawns should be scanned for Groundscraper Thrush, Arrow-marked Babbler, Burchell’s Starling, Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Striped Kingfisher, and Chinspot Batis. Birders should also check-out the electricity pylons for both Black-chested and Brown Snake-Eagle, Martial Eagle, and roosting Cape Vultures.

To maximize the number of species seen, birders are encouraged to make use of some of the many different lodges and accommodation options which will also give you access onto some of the private property in the area which will unlock a lot more birding opportunities and time to spend birding the area with both self-drive and guided game drive options available.

Key species:

Coqui Francolin, Red-crested Korhaan, African Cuckoo (summer), Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Southern White-faced Owl, Rufous-cheeked Nightjar (summer), Burnt-necked Eremomela, Pale Flycatcher, Purple Roller, Shaft-tailed Whydah, Monotonous Lark, Lizard Buzzard, Martial Eagle, Ashy Tit, Chestnut-vented Warbler