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SAfrican Birding Spots
Doorndraai Dam Nature Reserve
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The reserve includes the large Doondraai dam and is set amidst hilly
country south west of Potgietersrus. It is about 60 km from Naboomspruit.
It's main attractions are good camping facilities and the freedom and space
to walk unhindered to a wide variety of habitats. Game viewing can also
be good, although summer weekends around the main campsite can be quite
busy.
While birding can be excellent, bushveld birds may require more effort
than at some other similar localities. In summer about 130 species a weekend
is possible, while in winter 100 can be achieved with effort.
Doorndraai offers a good variety of woodland habitats, from acacia,
hillside broadleaved vegetation and riverine woodland, as well as good
mature broadleaved woodland. Near the waters edge a range of grassland
and more open savannah habitats can be found, while the area below the
dam wall provides rock and riverine habitats.
Birding
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The campsite is a good place for bushveld species, especially during
the week when it is not busy. The eastern side of the camp is mostly acacia,
while the north and west end (up against the hill has broadleaved trees
and is good for bird parties. Look out in the thicker bush on the western
edge of the campsite for Fantailed Flycatcher, Grey-headed Bush Shrike,
Yellow-bellied and Terrestrial Bulbul (summer), Black Headed Oriole, Little
Sparrowhawk and Southern Black Tit. The campsite is also a good spot for
Striped Pipit, Black Flycatcher and Greencapped Eremomela.
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Dam Shoreline. Water birds can be good, and the eastern shoreline
can easily be accessed at a number of points, the very top of the dam usually
being the best. White Breasted Cormorant. Great Crested Grebe, Pied and
Giant Kingfisher, Fish Eagle and a variety of waders (in summer) are to
be seen. At the very top end of the dam, reedbeds and damp verges often
hold Squacco, Jacana or African Snipe
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Grasslands and open areas on the dam edge. Parts of the dam shoreline
border on grassland areas where, Grassveld Pipit, Orange-throated Longclaw,
Ant-eating Chat and Desert Cisticola as well as Quail Finch are found.
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Woodlands A wide variety of mixed woodland habitats are present.
Broadleafed woodland holds Striped Kingfisher, Pallid Flycatcher, Brubru
and Yellow-throated Sparrow. Wahlberg's eagle nest in a large Boekenhout
visible from the road, and Flappet Lark can be heard displaying in hilly
areas in summer. Acacia woodlands are frequented by Titbabbler, Barred
Warbler and various Waxbills. Plum Coloured Starling, Grey Penduline Tit
and three Hornbills species are present. Accipiters are plentiful, with
Little Sparrowhawk, Little Banded Goshawk and Gabar Goshawk all present.
Lizard Buzzard and Gymnogene are also present.
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Rocky Hillsides and cliffs Around the dam wall and the spectacular
koppie at the Southern end of the dam, as well as in the hills to the east.
Rock Bunting, Freckled Nightjar, Lazy Cisticola and Mocking Chat are typical
birds.
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The "below Dam route", takes one around to the downstream side of
the dam, and requires that you leave the park at the main gate, turning
left at the T junction. Follow the road, eventually crossing over the Sterk
river at the base of the dam wall to a once popular picnic spot. Look for
Swifts and Martins, Pied Wagtail and Mocking Chat around the dam wall.
Lawns around the Water Dept offices are good for Kurrichane Thrush and
in winter Striped Pipit. Familiar Chat and Spotted backed Weaver are to
be seen in this area. Views of pools in the river below the dam wall usually
provide sightings of Black Crake, Malachite Kingfisher or Squacco Heron.
Information
Doorndraai is 68 km from Naboomspruit via the "old" R101. Take the left
turnoff to Sterkrivier and after about 16km a well signposted left turn
leads to the reserve a further 6 km on.
Camping fees are R25 per site per night and a small entrance fee is
also charged. Gates open at 6:00 am and close at 6:00 pm (summer)
Winter Birding
This winter, the relative lush vegetation seems to offer a haven for
resident species and over 110 species were recorded in two
days in late May ('98) The campsite is a good place to start and winter
bird parties are best located by the calls of Southern Black Tit, White
Helmet Shrike or Redbilled Woodhoopoe. Birdparties are often excellent
in winter and should be scanned carefully for Orange and Grey-headed Bush
Shrike, Woodpeckers, Grey Penduline Tit, Tchagra's or even a Fantailed
Flycatcher. If birding from a car, a good strategy is to drive slowly,
stopping when any bird might indicate the presence of a bird party. A patient
watch will soon reward you as the rest of the bird party makes itself known.
During winter, the striped Pipit is prominent at the Campsite and presently
a good population of African Snipe inhabit the exposed mud areas, where
the shelter of small drowned bushes exists.
Checklist for Doorndraai Dam
Triplist 20-22 May1998
visitors since4 June '98
