Birding at Nylsvley
By Etienne Marais
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BIRDING ON THE NYL FLOODPLAIN

The Nylsvley Nature Reserve and surrounding wetland area can be a wonderful birding experience. When inundated, the floodplain offers undoubtedly the best wetland birding in South Africa. The very wide variety of waterbirds, combined with a good range of woodland and grassland species brings the total species recorded here to around 400.

The largely flat country bordering the floodplain provides good acacia bushveld and Burkea and Terminalia (broad-leaved) woodland habitats. Extensive flooding occurs only every second year (on average) and the number of waterbird species present is dependent on the scale and timing of the inundation. The last few years (96-98) have seen exceptional flooding and the full complement of breeding waterbirds has been present. At these times the floodplain offers a birding spectacle unequalled in Southern Africa as up to 1 000 breeding pairs of various heron species arrive. Nevertheless the dry season can also be good with over 100 species a day possible in July.

SPECIALS

It is the wetland specials, which attract the most attention as this is the best (or only), place in the region to the see them. These include Slaty Egret, Bittern, Dwarf Bittern, Rufousbellied Heron, White-backed Duck, Pygmy Goose, Lesser Moorhen, Lesser Gallinule, Striped Crake, Streakybreasted Flufftail, and European Marsh Harrier. Most of these species are to be found at "peak season" in the good years, when the rarer herons species breed on the floodplain. Blackwinged Pratincole, African Rail, Corn Crake and Grass Owl are some of the other species often present.
Acacia woodland provides habitat for a range of acacia species such as Whitefaced Owl, Cape Penduline Tit, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Barred Warbler, Pied Babbler, Ashy Tit, Kalahari Robin, Marico Flycatcher and Waxbills such as Violet-eared and Blackcheeked. Scaly Feathered Finch is found in open dry woodland and Bronzewinged Courser is a seldom - seen resident. Moist acacia woodland in summer is the best place to flush Kurrichane Buttonquail. Broad-leafed Woodland offers birds such as Redheaded Weaver, Greyheaded Bush Shrike, Pallid Flycatcher, Southern Black Tit and White Helmet Shrike. Less common are European Golden Oriole, Tinkling Cisticola, Meyer's Parrot, Greyhooded Kingfisher and Olivetree Warbler.

BIRDING

(1) VOGELFONTEIN HIDES
The prime wetland birding spot in South Africa has to be Vogelfontein. Three hides are well located overlooking flooded pools and flanked by raised dykes and reedbeds. This is the best place for rallids, ducks and herons. In addition to the hides, the raised dykes across the floodplain provide a good vantage point from which Fulvous, Whitebacked and Whitefaced duck are seen. Occasionally, Pygmy Goose is also present. Patience is required for rails and crakes, which are often located by their calls, while Lesser Gallinule, Lesser Moorhen and a range of warblers are to be seen at the water fringes. Patches of thornbush often provide roosts for Blackcrowned Night Heron, Dwarf Bittern or even a Rufous-bellied Heron. Bittern is a regular but hard to locate visitor to the floodplain in wet seasons. Vogelfontein is worth visiting throughout the year, as it usually holds some water - even in the driest season. Birds seen more easily in winter include the Marsh Owl, which is very numerous at the time of writing (July '98)


(2) THE BRIDGE HIDE A hide amidst a reedbed inside Nylsvley reserve, can be reached along a walkway from a parking area (see map). This Hide offers similar waterbirds to Vogelfontein, as well as being a good area for Great Reed Warbler and African Rail (summer). Parts of the path are frequently flooded in wet seasons.


(3) WOODLANDS
Within Nylsvley reserve, good examples of both broadleaf and acacia woodland can be accessed. Good Acacia Woodland (marked "A" on the map) can be found around the bridge hide (on both sides of the stream-bed - eastern side not accessible during high water) Species such as Crimson-breasted Shrike, Titbabbler and Waxbills can be located here. Walk along the vlei edge from the bridge hide parking area.

Other spots outside the reserve are surprisingly better for birding (see eastern "mosdene" route below). A good patch of acacia is on the main road to Vogelfontein hide, just before one reaches the grass/floodplain proper. The last farm gate on the left is a good area for Barred Warbler.

Broadleaf Woodland (B on the map) occurs to the north-east of the campsite and around the picnic spot. The area around the Reserve offices is also usually worth a visit A good route is to go back towards the gate from the Campsite. Just before the big gate and office, turn right and follow the fence. Take the first available right turn and keep a watch for bird-parties.

(4) MIXED AREAS - open grassland and transitional woodland. (Marked "O" on the map) Within Nylsvley areas of more open country should be scanned for Long-tailed Shrike, Rufousnaped Lark, Lilacbreasted Roller, Western Redfooted Kestrel (summer), Northern Black Korhaan and Fantailed/Desert Cisticola

(5) THE EASTERN "MOSDENE" ROUTE.
This is often an excellent drive where a range of birding can be done from a car. It will add a number of species to your list if you have stayed within Nylsvley Reserve. From Vogelfontein travel south across the floodplain. Initially the road passes through excellent acacia woodland. The road passes a quarry on the left followed by a more open area. Secretary bird and various bee-eaters (summer) can be seen here. The road then passes through prime Broadleaf (Burkea/Terminalia Woodland) before again passing farmland. A sharp turn to the left takes one towards Mosdene. (now closed due to the introduction of big game !)
Mixed farmland, grassland and roadside woodland offer excellent birding and this is a good route for Burchell's Glossy Starling, Whydah's, White Crowned Shrike and if dry, Chestnut Backed Finchlark and Temminck's Courser. Keep a sharp lookout for raptors! If you carry straight on you eventually reach a tar road where a left turn takes you back to Naboomspruit across the floodplain. Returning via the same route to the sharp turn where the road goes NW, travel as far as a powerline, which crosses the road. Look out here for a sandy track (suitable for cars) to the left. This track follows the SE boundary of Nylsvley Reserve, and takes you through some prime Broadleaf Woodland. Look out here for Pallid Flycatcher. Look out too for raptors such as Wahlberg's (summer), African Hawk and Brown Snake Eagle. This road eventually joins a bigger road and you turn right to get back to Nylsvley, crossing a secondary grassland/floodplain.

DIRECTIONS to Vogelfontein:
From Nylsvley nature reserve go west towards the railway line. Just before the railway, turn right towards "Rutland". Follow the railway line for about 3km (looking out for Lizard Buzzard on the lines) until the road turns sharply to the right. The floodplain starts just over than 1km further on, and the parking area and paths to the hides are visible in the open. The Sasol Kingfisher Hide on the left is accessible for wheelchairs.

WEBPAGE CREATED 24 July 1998 © ZABIRDSTUFF e-mail your sightings !