Birding at False Bay

By Ryan Tippett

False Bay Park is situated about 16 km North of Hluhluwe and is one of the best birding spots in Zululand. The park is a fantastic spot for forest birds in particular, but there are also some interesting water birds to be found along the shores of the lake.

The main attraction for birders is without doubt the pristine sand forests and the reserve protects some of the finest remaining stands. There are two types of sand forest in the reserve – Tall forest with large trees and an open understory, and shorter, dense forest with smaller trees and very thick undergrowth. Both contain many exciting species.

The big advantage here, over most other Zululand reserves is that the key habitats can be accessed on foot, either along the roads or the well-appointed walking trails.

Dark- Backed Weaver

A morning spent birding in the forest should produce many typical forest birds like : Dark-backed Weaver,  Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Red-capped Robin-chat, Crowned Hornbill, Tambourine Dove, Crested Guineafowl, Square-tailed Drongo, Black Saw-wing, and Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, amongst others. Trumpeter Hornbills and Black-bellied Starlings are often heard as they move across the forest and remember to keep a look out for Crowned Eagles as they display high above the canopy

The winter months bring altitudinal migrants that are mostly absent during summer. These include White-starred Robin, Chorister Robin-chat, Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, Grey Cuckooshrike and Dark-mantled Crested Flycatcher.

Grey Cuckooshrike

The summer months bring in the migratory birds, including African Emerald Cuckoo which can be heard everywhere but is remarkably hard to see.  Scan any exposed dead trees for Broad-billed Rollers. Their raucous calls usually give them away.

Many of the regions specials can be found here without too much difficulty. Eastern Nicator, Bearded Scrub Robin, Rudd’s Apalis, Gorgeous Bushshrike and African Yellow White-eye are all quite common. Green Malkoha, Narina Trogon and Olive Bushshrike, while also common, are more often heard than   seen.

Pink-throated Twinspots are present in good numbers but are sometimes difficult to find. They like forest clearings with grassy patches. Watch for them as they fly off from the pathways in these areas. It’s a good idea to learn to recognise their thin insect-like calls.

Pink- Throated Twinspot

Sunbirds are well represented at False Bay with several species occurring. Neergaard’s Sunbirds are conspicuous when calling, but can be difficult to observe because they never sit still for too long. Plain-backed Sunbirds have been seen in the reserve. They are undoubtedly rare here, but I have seen them on two separate occasions in the tall climax sand Forest. Both sightings were of calling males. Look for them on the Ingwe and Mpophomeni trails.

False Bay is one of the very best locations for the peculiar African Broadbill. They are most easily detected in the early morning when they utter their strange frog-like calls during display. They are best searched for in the densely wooded drainage gullies along the entrance road and on the 10km long Mpophomeni trail. 

African Broadbill

 Other special or scarce species to search for include Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Retz’s Helmetshrike , Sooty Falcon, Cuckoo Hawk, Grey Tit Flycatcher, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Brown-backed Honeybird and Woodward’s batis.

Southern Banded Snake Eagle

The open water at False Bay is actually the north western extension of Lake St. Lucia. Look out here for both Greater and Lesser Flamingos and Pink-backed and Great White Pelicans. All of which can form large aggregations on the lake when conditions are right. Pied Avocets are also regular in large numbers, especially during winter. Many Caspian Terns breed here during winter but at least some birds are present all year round.  Be alert for the endangered Saddle-billed Storks as they stride purposely along the shore. At least one pair is resident on this part of the lake.

Rosy- throated Longclaw

The narrow strip of grass and scrub between the water and the forest is good for Black-bellied Bustard, and with luck, Swamp Nightjar. This grassy strip is widest in the south, below the Dugandlovo Rustic Camp. Scan this area for Collared Pratincoles and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters in summer. All three Longclaw species occur here, and the Rosy-throated Longclaw can be plentiful after the rains.

I would recommend using the services of a specialist birding guide. This is a reliable way to get difficult species as the guides know how and where to find them.
For more information about local birding guides, you can contact Bhejane Nature Training on info@bhejanenaturetraining.com . Office number: 081 539 0391 or after hours 083 726 3826.

To travel to the reserve, travel north from Durban on the N2 until the Hluhluwe turn off. Continue into the village and follow the signposts for 16km on good tar roads to the reserve.  A nominal entrance fee is charged at the gate.