Birding in the Karkloof

The Karkloof is endowed with a wide range of habitat and bird species, all within a surprisingly short range. At the top of the Karkloof, are the mist-belt forest and grassland sites of Benvie  and the Karkloof Nature Reserve. These sites offer birders the opportunity to see species such as the endemic Crested Guineafowl, Eastern Bronzed-naped Pigeon, Cape Parrot, Orange Ground-Thrush, Wattled and Blue Crane and many others. As the valley follows the course of the Karkloof and Yarrow Rivers, it reaches Gartmore Farm and the Karkloof Conservation Centre and Hides. The centre provides visitors with a wealth of information on the fauna and flora found in the Karkloof and the hides are something to behold! The Crowned Crane Hide looks over a beautiful little dam bordered by fragmites and bulrush reed beds. The backdrop beyond the dam is the mountainous Karkloof Nature Reserve  and what makes this hide such a pleasure is the fact that the front is made from one-way glass which allows birders to take in panoramic views of this stunning scenery, and a fantastic spot to enjoy a sun downer!

The specials one should look out for are the Blue and Wattled Crane and sometimes you may be lucky enough to see the Lesser Jacana. The Karkloof River then flows towards one of the best kept secrets in the Midlands, the Karkloof Falls. The upper reaches of Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve lie beyond this impressive natural feature where the landscape transforms into grassland, thornveld and cliffs. With this change in habitat comes a different variety of birds including Cape Eagle-Owl, African Emerald Cuckoo, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Brown-backed Honeybird , Verreauxs' Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, Cape Rock-Thrush, Southern Tchagra & Olive Bush-Shrike.

Habitats: The Karkloof range of hills is one of the most scenic and spectacular areas of KwaZulu-Natal, and famed for its extensive mist belt forests. The significance of these forests is attested by the presence of an isolated population of Crested Guinea fowl which belong to a subspecies endemic to the Karkloof. The forest is also surrounded by extensive wetlands, grasslands and rocky outcrops.

Specials: African Crowned Eagle, Forest Buzzard, Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk, Red-necked Spurfowl, Crested Guinea fowl, Buff-spotted Flufftail, African Wood-Owl, Bush Blackcap, Yellow-throated Woodland-Warbler, White-starred Robin, Chorister Robin-Chat, Narina Trogon, African Emerald Cuckoo, Red-backed Mannikin, Green Twinspot, Drakensberg Prinia, Half-collared Kingfisher, Buff-streaked Chat and Mountain Wagtail. All three species of Crane are regularly seen here. Scarcer visitors include Denham's Bustard and Southern Ground-Hornbill. The wetlands and pans in this area support Red-chested Flufftail, African Rail, Baillon's Crake and in wetter years, Lesser Jacana.

source: www.kznbirding.co.za