OUR EXPERT
Lukas Niemand
“Faerie Glen Nature Reserve ( 012 358 1753) in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria is one of the more popular birding spots in the city because of its varying habitat types including the western Bronberg ridge and a section of the Moreletaspruit.
“Birders can see 80 – 100 species, including bushveld specials like whitethroated robin-chat, long-billed crombec, white-browed scrub-robin and chestnut-vented warbler. In summer, the reserve attracts several warblers – listen for their song in late summer especially. The very rare river warbler has even been recorded here.
“Another nice birding spot is Ezemvelo Nature Reserve ( 013 680 1399; ezemvelo.co.za) north-east of Bronkhorstspruit. It has open Highveld grassland, several ridges, and sections of Bankenveld, a transitional habitat between grassland and bushveld.
“Ezemvelo is home to plains game and birds including lark, francolin, widowbird and cisticola species. Sought-after species like white-bellied bustard, melodious lark, African grass-owl and southern bald ibis are also found here.”