Report by Sandi du Preez

20 February 2019

There were 11 birders keen to see the Jubilee Park special – the Magpie Mannikins. In the reeds at the entrance the Thick-billed Weavers were diligently constructing their nests as usual. I wonder what other bird species can claim to build a neater nest!

All three Mannikin species (Magpie, Bronze and Red-backed ) were present at the little pond , flitting around the grasses and reeds. I think that the Magpie was a lifer for three of the birders.

Magpie Mannikin

Magpie Mannikin

Red-backed Mannikin

Bronze Mannikin

As we started our walk along the path through the forest, we could hear a Buff-spotted Flufftail calling in the distance  – pity we couldn’t see it!

Birds were few as it was hot, but we managed to get White-eared and Black-collared Barbets; Fork-tailed and Square-tailed Drongos;  Dusky, African Paradise and Southern Black Flycatchers; Black-bellied, Cape Glossy and Red-winged Starlings; Amethyst, Greater Double- collared and Olive Sunbirds; and lovely Purple-crested Turacos flying through the trees.

White-eared Barbet

Southern Black flycatcher

Fork-tailed Drongo

Black-collared Barbet

Black-bellied Starling

Amethyst Sunbird

Yellow-fronted Canary

Speckled Mousebird

The biggest surprise was a Grey Cuckooshrike seen by some – the immaculate grey colour very distinctive. Unusual in summer in Durban?

Other birds of note were Lesser Honeyguide, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Black-headed Oriole, Red-capped Robin-chat and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird. See full list included by clicking here.

The trees are always a talking point in Jubilee Park and we were delighted to see a Cape Chestnut (Calodendrum capense) in full bloom.

At tea time we managed to add Common Buzzard and Crested Barbet. Altogether we recorded 47 species.

Thanks to John Bremner for the photos.

Sandi du Preez