16 November 2024

The morning began with friendly chatter as the group gathered in the parking lot. A lovelly mix of newer and more experienced birders, those with long life lists and those just starting their birding journeys, young and old alike. It’s moments like these that remind us to pause and appreciate our incredible club!

Car by car, we navigated the somewhat tedious security check-in process. Once inside Umbogavango Reserve and assembled in the parking lot, the birding started almost immediately. We were spoiled for choice and had to stay alert to catch all the species being spotted. Klaas’s Cuckoo, Kurrichane Thrush, Cape White-eye, and Southern Black Flycatcher were quickly ticked off the list.

We decided to stay together as one group, though in hindsight, splitting into two might have been more practical. Winding our way through the grassland section of the reserve, we stopped frequently to peer into the trees above, listening for calls and spotting hidden gems. Black-backed Puffback, Olive Sunbird, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Southern Boubou, Yellow-fronted Canary, and Bar-throated Apalis kept everyone engaged. From a small bridge, we watched Eastern Golden Weaver and Thick-billed Weaver busily flitting to and from their nests.

Our walk took us through a forested area along the reed beds. Unfortunately, the sides of the reed beds were quite overgrown, making it challenging to get clear views. Nonetheless, we managed to observe several weaver species hard at work on their nests. The road section, made famous by a Thrush Nightingale a few years back, proved to be another productive birding spot. Although the Nightingale was absent, we enjoyed sightings of Red-backed Mannikin, Black-headed Oriole, and Yellow-fronted Canary. A Pink-backed Pelican flying overhead was an added bonus.

We slowly made our way to the last hide, a spot where Rufous-bellied Heron have been recorded in recent years. Along the way, we caught glimpses of Dark-backed Weaver and heard the distinctive calls of Red-faced Cisticola. Entering the hide quietly was a challenge for the whole group, but I managed to snap a quick photo of the heron before it took off, startled by the next group entering. Fortunately, some members who returned later to the hide were rewarded with excellent views. Other species spotted near the hide included Malachite Kingfisher, Little Grebe, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Reed Cormorant, African Fish Eagle, and a juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron.

As the morning wore on and stomachs began to rumble, we made our way back to the parking lot for some well-deserved food. When we arrived back at the parking lot, we were excited to see a few Black-throated Wattle-eye in the thickets. 

We ended the trip with lively conversations and some final birdwatching around the conservation center area. The group concluded the day with an impressive total of 91 species recorded.

Report by Adam Cruickshank