by Faansie Peacock

Introduction:
This area is relatively unknown amongst most birders, but unfortunately it is being developed at a fast pace. Most birding is either on private land, or from the roadsides, but it is still a rewarding area with interesting birds pitching up from time to time. Many species have been squeezed into small strips of habitat due to development and may turn up right next to the suburbs. It is probably one of the last remaining areas where relatively pristine grassland can be found near to Pretoria.

Directions:
The area described here stretches from the most southernly and easternly suburbs of Pretoria (Moreleta Park, Elarduspark, Wapadrand and Mamelodi) to more or less Bapsfontein in the south. The best routes are:
1. R50 towards Delmas: Winds its way along the eastern boundary of Rietvlei NR, passing Grootfontein and joining the R25 at Bapsfontein.
2. R25 north-east of Bapsfontein:
3. Welbekend road: From R25, north-west to Moreleta Park.
4. Zwavelpoort road: Runs parallel to the Bronberge. Of course, there are many of alternative routes to explore. The use of a 1:50 000 map will prove invaluable.

Access to privately-owned land should be arranged with the land owners prior to entry. Please respect this birders code at all times!

Background:
Most of the area is covered by rolling grasslands, with extensive marshes, such as Rietvlei and Grootvlei, being found in the valleys. Much of the original vegetation has given way to agriculture and alien tress. Mountain birding can be good on the Bronberg. The plantations of Bluegums and stands of Wattles host some interesting species, although it is a factor that has a negative impact on the grassland species. Agricultural lands also host their own specific bird communities.

Specials:
Glossy Ibis, Whitebacked, Fulvous and Maccoa Ducks, Black and Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Redwinged and Orange River Francolin, Common Quail, Redchested Flufftail, Kittlitz's Plover, Marsh and Curlew Sandpipers, Ethiopian Snipe, Northern Black Korhaan, Whiskered Tern, Sharpbilled Honeyguide, Redthroated Wryneck, Capped Wheatear, European Marsh Warbler, Grassbird, 7 Cisticolas, 4 Pipits, Cuckoo Finch, Orangebreasted Waxbill and Melodious, Longbilled, Clapper Larks. Marsh and Grass Owls are present.

Birding:
Undeveloped areas close to the city, provide a clue as to what parts of the city were like before the suburbs were built. Behind the Pretoria East Hospital the veld provided habitat for typical highveld species such as African Marsh Harrier, Cuckoo Finch, Redwinged Francolin, Cardinal Woodpecker, African Black Duck, Malachite Kingfisher, Common Sandpiper, Common Quail and of course the famous Melodious Lark (also occurs locally at other spots in Themede triandra grass) have occured. The area has been substantially reduced through new development, but if one goes to the east of the development one can expect Rufousnaped Lark, Orangethroated Longclaw, Grassveld Pipit, Fantailed, Desert and Cloud Cisticolas, Common Waxbill, Redcollared and Whitewinged Widow, Tawnyflanked Prinia and Whiterumped and Little Swifts.

Capped Wheatear may be found in bare areas, along with Longbilled, Plainbacked and Buffy Pipits. Anteating Chats and Banded Martins compete for nesting sites in Antbear and Porcupine holes or in road cuttings, banks and sandworks. Prime, climax grassland supports limited and local species such as Spikeheeled and Clapper Larks, Ayre's Cisticola and Orange River Francolin, the latter mostly along rocky ridges, often in the presence of Longbilled Larks.

Some species are distinctly associated with gardens or exotic plantations. These include Bokmakierie, Bronze Mannikin (streamsides or in grasslands when feeding, Greyheaded Sparrow, Spotted Flycatcher. Whitefronted Bee-eaters occur near suitable breeding banks. Grassbirds are common in the tangled growth near streams.

Wooded koppies support Blackcrowned Tchagra and Rock Bunting, while patches of woodland support Black Cuckoo, Lesser Grey and Redbacked Shrike (summer), Puffback, Brubru, Crimsonbreasted Shrike and Pied Barbet and the occasional Purple Widowfinch near Jameson's Firefinch populations. Listen for the latter's calls and song incorporated into the male Widowfinch's song on the bare, highest branches of a tree.

The pans and vleis support distinct bird communities with species such as Redchested Flufftail, Purple Gallinule, Whitebacked, Maccoa, Whitefaced, Fulvous, African Black, Yellowbilled Ducks, Cape Shoveller, Southern Pochard, Spurwinged and Egyptian Geese, Hottentot and Redbilled Teals, Kittlitz's and Threebanded Plovers, Wood, Curlew and Marsh Sandpipers, Greenshank, Golden Bishops, Cape Weaver and Glossy Ibis being regular. A variety of herons and egrets occur, including Blackcrowned Night Heron and Yellowbilled Egret. Bailon's Crake should be looked for. Warblers are common in the reeds, sedges and weeds, and of particular interest is European Marsh Warbler at the edges of pans or thickets in grassland or woodland understorey away from water. Levaillant's Cisticola and Common Quails also prefer these edge habitats at sides of pans and Corncrake can be expected. Whiskered and Whitewinged Terns fly overhead, and Ethiopian Snipe frequent muddy edges. Blackwinged Pratincole can be expected anywhere. All three Grebe species are regualrly recorded, although the Blacknecked Grebe is somewhat nomadic and unpredictable.

Birds found in Agricultural lands include Northern Black Korhaan, Swainson's Francolin, Pied Starling, Spotted Dikkop, Wattled Plover, Quail Finch, European Swallow and more, with Redcapped Lark and Chestnutbacked Finchlark putting in an appearance every so often.

The plantations support breeding Ovambo and Black Sparrowhawks, Redthroated Wrynecks, Redbilled Woodhoopoe, Brownhooded Kingfisher, Southern Boubou, Fierynecked Nightjar, Forktailed Drongo, Sharpbilled, Lesser and Greater Honeyguides and Jameson's Firefinch.

Blue and Whitebellied Korhaans can occur, so look and listen out.

Raptors include Blackshouldered and Yellowbilled (summer) Kites, Eastern Redfooted Falcon, Greater Kestrel and Steppe Buzzard amongst others. Owls include Spotted Eagle (koppies) and Marsh and Grass Owls.

Facilities:
Accomodation is available at Inkwe Pleasure Resort, on route 4 described above, or alternatively consider one of the numerous good hotels and guesthouses in Pretoria, from where it is only a short drive to the area discussed here.