by Stephan Terblanche

Special birds: Black Duck, European Nightjar, European Bee-eater, Redthroated Wryneck, Sharpbilled Honeyguide, swallows and swifts, European Marsh Warbler, Grassbird, Crimsonbreasted Shrike, Cape Weaver.

(1) Situation
The Faerie Glen NR is situated in the east of Pretoria, just to the south of Lynnwood Road, about 11 km from Church Square. To reach it, turn south out of Lynnwood Road (1,6 km east of the N1 highway) into General Louis Botha Drive and drive for about 1 km, where the reserve is signposted. Parking is available on the eastern side of the road next to the Reserve. Entry is free and is not controlled.

The best time for birding is in summer, especially in the morning or late afternoon. Up to 75 species can be expected on a summer morning, but 40 species is guaranteed, even on a winter's afternoon. About 150 species has been recorded, including very rare birds such as Corncrake and River Warbler.

(2) Physical aspects
The FGN is dominated by two geographical features. The northern border is formed by die hills of the Bronberg Mountains, with Renosterkop (1489m) in the northeast the highest, and Faerie Glen Hill (1442m) the most accesible. The latter's southern hillside is steep and almost forms a cliff face. At the foot of the Bronberg Mountains the perennial Moreletta Spruit flows, and a large part of the reserve lies in the flood plain of this spruit. The major portion of the reserve lies between 1350m and 1380m above sea level. A shallow, wooded kloof stretches southwards from the eastern side of Faerie Glen Hill. The rest of FGN joins these features together.

(3) Habitat
The Bronberg Mountains are mainly covered with typical so-called bankenveld, that is mixed woodland. At the bottom of the Faerie Glen Hill a stand of White Stinkwood trees (Celtis africana) forms a thick bush, which extends into the shallow kloof. The flood plain is mainly covered in grassland. Acacia thornveld covers parts of the reserve, especially to the south of the spruit, whereas the rest consists of mixed woodland. Along the spruit tall grasses occurs, with a few reedbeds in the stream.

(4) Birds
In summer the grassland holds large numbers of Masked Weaver, Red Bishop, Whitewinged Widow and Red Collared Widow. Grassbird (common) and Levaillant Cisticola also occurs here. This is also the best area for swallows and swifts and a typical summers afternoon should produce Greater and Lesser Striped and Whitethroated Swallow, plus perhaps European Swallow, as well as Palm, Whiterumped and Little Swift, especially as the birds fly lower and lower as the insects are lowered with the cooling of the air. Rock Martin can also be expected, especially in winter. Tawnyflanked Prinia is common, and in late summer European Marsh Warbler is guaranteed (listen for their lowpitched "tchh" alarm call in grassland at the edge of bushveld). Other seed eaters are not common, but small groups of Bronze Mannikin and Common Waxbill should be found regularly. The grassland is burnt almost every winter, and then Crowned, Blacksmith and Wattled Plover, as well as Spotted Dikkop can be expected. In summer, especially late summer, Diederick Cuckoo is present in considerable numbers.

The spruit does not house many birds, but Black Duck is regularly found flying along the stream. Various kingfishers have been found next to the spruit, but this occurrence is exceptional. Cape Reed Warbler is resident, and Cape Weavers breed in isolated spots.

In the Acacia thornveld Titbabbler, Longbilled Crombec, Rattling Cisticola, Blackchested Prinia and Neddicky occurs in considerable numbers, and Crimsonbreated Shrike is a fairly recent resident. In summer these species are augmented with Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher. Amongst seedeaters Yelloweyed and Blackthroated Canary are the most common, especially in the morning. Helmeted Guineafowl keep to grassland in the thornveld. In winter the Yellowfronted Tinker Barbet moves into trees with mistletoe.

The mixed woodland houses various birds, of which the following can be expected with any visit: Redthroated Wryneck, Whitebellied and Black Sunbird and Streakyheaded Canary. A wide range other bushveld birds also occur regularly, even if they may not always be present: Pied Barbet (in small numbers), Cardinal and Goldentailed Woodpecker, Sharpbilled Honeyguide, Black Cuckooshrike, Arrowmarked Babbler, Whitethroated Robin (in denser areas), Whitebrowed Robin, Threestreaked and Blackcrowned Tchagra (the latter especially along the hillsides), Orangebreasted Bush Shrike, Plumcoloured and Cape Glossy Starling. Bokmakierie is almost always present in small numbers and can be found anywhere. In summer Redchested and Black Cuckoo often call from denser trees, and in late summer, during caterpillar outbreaks, Striped Cuckoo can be expected. The thick bush is the best spot for Southern Boubou and Barthroated Apalis, and in summer Paradise Flycatcher is regularly seen here.

The hills sometimes produces something rare, such as a rock thrush or Striped Pipit, but generally not much happens there. On the side of the kloof there are dead trees that are often used in summer as perches for European Bee-eaters. Raptors are scarce in FGN. Blackshouldered Kites can be expected from time to time, and in late summer Yellowbilled Kite and Steppe Buzzard may occur. Now and then a sparrowhawk, or even a young Gymnogene, can be seen.

At night Spotted Eagle Owl are common, and in summer European Nightjar can be found. Because these nightjars do not call they are seldom recorded.