The Gaborone area provides the birder with variety of species and habitats to explore, and gives one an opportunity to pick up a number of typical bushveld species, including several Kalahari specials. Depending on rainfall, a full midsummer day birding could yield anything up to 230 species.
The following sites can easily be visited in a day and are well worth the effort if you are passing through or have a day to spend in Gaborone. An early start to any birding day is essential, particularly in summer, where mid-day temperatures often climb into the forties.
Situated 11km south of Gaborone, on the Lobatse road, Notwane Siding is a good place to start the day. Notwane is dominated by Acacia and Terminalia woodland and is easily accessible by car. Numerous roads lead to many parts of the suburb, but walking provides the best results. Some of the interesting species that you can expect in the early hours of the morning include Pearlspotted and Barn Owl and Rufouscheeked Nightjar. A pair of Giant Eagle owls nest on the Notwane River, and can be heard calling in late summer. After dawn, Scimitarbilled Woodhoopoe, Pied Barbet, Ashy Tit, Brubru, Great Sparrow, Marico Sunbird, Crimsonbreased Shrike, Whitebacked Mousebird, Titbabbler and Jacobin Cuckoo as well as both Kalahari and Whitebrowed Robins are common and may be heard calling. The Rattling Cisticola and Marico Flycatcher are particularly common, the latter being identified by its white underparts and contrasting darker upperparts.
Acacia thickets are particularly productive for many of the smaller species. Keep your eyes and ears open for Burntnecked Eromomela, Violeteared and Blackcheecked Waxbill as well as Melba, Redheaded, Scalyfeathered and Cutthroat Finch, and in winter look out for the delicate Fairy Flycatcher. A few of the more colorful migrants to enter the area during summer include Bluecheecked and Carmine Bee-Eater, Woodlands Kingfisher and European Golden Oriole. Whitethroat and Icterine Warbler are both present as well as the beautiful Barred Warbler. The larger but more secretive Olivetree Warbler, which has been returning to the same Acacia mellifera thicket in Notwane for the last three seasons can also be seen. Keep your eyes open for Pintailed, Shafttailed and Paradise Whydah, which can be seen flying above the treetops or sitting on the power lines. Pied Babbler may be seen moving through the trees, listen for their babbling calls.
The Notwane River, which is flanked by private estates, is lined with large Acacia Karoo and Combretum trees. As already mentioned, Giant Eagle Owl have bred along the river for the past few years, and they may be seen on most winter evenings hunting in the surrounding bush. Malachite, Brownhooded, Pied and Woodland Kingfisher all frequent the river, while Blackcrowned Night Heron roost in large numbers in trees overhanging the water. Quiet shores provide an excellent home for Black Crake, Little Bittern, Black Egret and Greenbacked Heron. The large trees fringing the river are home to many Cuckoo species. African, Redchested, Striped, Klaas, Diederic, Black and Jacobin are all seen regularly.
