Author Archives: DeWetsWild

About DeWetsWild

Nature and wildlife enthusiast and tour guide, based in Pretoria, South Africa.

April ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Isn’t it amazing how quickly the things we enjoy doing fly past!? I can’t believe another month of guiding drives at our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve is behind me already. Time then to take a look at what Rietvlei dished up in the month of April. Autumn is most definitely here and it is noticeable not only in the changing colours of the grass and leaves but also in the absence of most of the birds that visit our part of the world during summer.

Sunrise at Rietvlei

Julia Skimmer Dragonfly

Nile Monitor trying to swallow a huge crab

Reed seed

Black-chested Snake Eagle – with prey – in silhouette

Sharp-tooth Catfish at Marais Dam

Yellow-billed Duck in silhouette

Nile Monitor

Leopard Tortoise (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo in the wetland

Island View

I ticked 93 species of birds while guiding guests through the reserve this April.

Blacksmith Lapwing (photo by Joubert)

Immature Little Bittern

Bokmakierie

Red-knobbed Coot

Reed Cormorant (photo by Joubert)

White-breasted Cormorant

Pied Crow (photo by Joubert)

Cape Turtle Dove

Fork-tailed Drongo

African Black Duck

Yellow-billed Duck

African Fish Eagle

Immature Black-chested Snake Eagle

Cattle Egret

Peregrine Falcon

Black-necked Grebe

Little Grebe

Helmeted Guineafowl

Hadedas

Hamerkop

Black-headed Heron

Sacred Ibis

Giant Kingfisher (photo by Joubert)

Black-winged Kite

Wattled Lapwing

Rufous-naped Lark

Common Moorhen

Female ostrich (photo by Joubert)

Male ostrich (photo by Joubert)

Southern Pochard

Tawny-flanked Prinia

Streaky-headed Seed-eater

African Snipe

Cape Glossy Starling

African Stonechat

African Swamphen

Red-billed Teal

Cape Wagtail

Southern Masked Weaver

Long-tailed Widowbird male in transitional plumage

Red-throated Wryneck

One of the highlights of the month was watching this pair of Pied Starlings sharing tiny red berries.

African Pied Starlings

African Pied Starlings (photo by Joubert)

African Pied Starlings

African Pied Starlings (photo by Joubert)

African Pied Starlings

Fifteen species of mammal showed themselves during our drives in April.

African Buffalo

Blesbok (photo by Joubert)

Eland

Hippo

Black-backed Jackal

Black-backed Jackal (photo by Joubert)

Yellow Mongoose

Waterbuck

Waterbuck (photo by Joubert)

Black Wildebeest

Plains Zebras

Plains Zebra

Plains Zebras

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve in April 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Alcelaphus buselaphus	Rooihartbees	Red Hartebeest
Antidorcas marsupialis	Springbok	Springbuck
Canis mesomelas	Rooijakkals	Black-backed Jackal
Ceratotherium simum	Witrenoster	White Rhinoceros
Connochaetes gnou	Swartwildebees	Black Wildebeest
Cynictis penicillata	Witkwasmuishond	Yellow Mongoose
Damaliscus pygargus	Blesbok	Blesbuck
Equus quagga	Bontsebra	Plains Zebra
Herpestes sanguineus	Swartkwasmuishond	Slender Mongoose
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Hydrictis maculicollis	Kleinotter	Spotted-necked Otter
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland
Microchiroptera	Insekvretende vlermuis (spesie onbekend)	Insect-eating bat (species unknown)

List of birds seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve in April 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Acridotheres tristis	Indiese Spreeu	Common Myna
Acrocephalus gracilirostris	Kaapse Rietsanger	Lesser Swamp Warbler
Afrotis afraoides	Witvlerkkorhaan	Northern Black Korhaan
Alopochen aegyptiaca	Kolgans	Egyptian Goose
Amandava subflava	Rooiassie	Orange-breasted Waxbill
Amblyospiza albifrons	Dikbekwewer	Thick-billed Weaver
Anas erythrorhyncha	Rooibekeend	Red-billed Teal
Anas sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Apus caffer	Witkruiswindswael	White-rumped Swift
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Batis molitor	Witliesbosbontrokkie	Chinspot Batis
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Bubulcus ibis	Veereier	Western Cattle Egret
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Butorides striata	Groenrugreier	Green-backed Heron
Cecropis cucullata	Grootstreepswael	Greater Striped Swallow
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Ceryle rudis	Bontvisvanger	Pied Kingfisher
Chalcomitra amethystina	Swartsuikerbekkie	Amethyst Sunbird
Chrysococcyx caprius	Diederikkie	Diederik Cuckoo
Cinnyris talatala	Witpenssuikerbekkie	White-belled Sunbird
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Columba arquatrix	Geelbekbosduif	African Olive Pigeon
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Corythornis cristatus	Kuifkopvisvanger	Malachite Kingfisher
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Crithagra gularis	Streepkopkanarie	Streaky-headed Seedeater
Curruca subcoerulea	Bosveldtjeriktik	Chestnut-vented Warbler
Dessonornis caffer	Gewone Janfrederik	Cape Robin-Chat
Dicrurus adsimilis	Mikstertbyvanger	Fork-tailed Drongo
Elanus caeruleus	Blouvalk	Black-winged Kite
Estrilda astrild	Rooibeksysie	Common Waxbill
Euplectes albonotatus	Witvlerkflap	White-winged Widowbird
Euplectes ardens	Rooikeelflap	Red-collared Widowbird
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Falco biarmicus	Edelvalk	Lanner Falcon
Falco peregrinus	Swerfvalk	Peregrine Falcon
Falco rupicolus	Kransvalk	Rock Kestrel
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Hirundo albigularis	Witkeelswael	White-throated Swallow
Hirundo rustica	Huisswael	Barn Swallow
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Ixobrychus minutus	Klein Rietreier	Little Bittern
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Klein Glansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lybius torquatus	Rooikophoutkapper	Black-collared Barbet
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Megaceryle maxima	Reuse Visvanger	Giant Kingfisher
Microcarbo africanus	Rietduiker	Reed Cormorant
Mirafra africana	Rooineklewerik	Rufous-naped Lark
Motacilla capensis	Gewone Kwikkie	Cape Wagtail
Netta erythrophthalma	Bruineend	Southern Pochard
Numida meleagris	Gewone Tarentaal	Helmeted Guineafowl
Passer diffusus	Gryskopmossie	Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
Passer melanurus	Gewone Mossie	Cape Sparrow
Phalacrocorax lucidus	Witborsduiker	White-breasted Cormorant
Phoeniculus purpureus	Rooibekkakelaar	Green Wood-hoopoe
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Podiceps nigricollis	Swrtnekdobbertjie	Black-necked Grebe
Porphyrio madagascariensis	Grootkoningriethaan	African Swamphen
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparakiet	Rose-ringed Parakeet
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Quelea quelea	Rooibekkwelea	Red-billed Quelea
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Scopus umbretta	Hamerkop	Hamerkop
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Spilopelia senegalensis	Rooiborsduifie	Laughing Dove
Streptopelia capicola	Gewone Tortelduif	Cape Turtle Dove
Streptopelia semitorquata	Grootringduif	Red-eyed Dove
Struthio camelus	Volstruis	Common Ostrich
Tachybaptus ruficollis	Kleindobbertjie	Little Grebe
Tadorna cana	Kopereend	South African Shelduck
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Turdoides jardineii	Pylvlekkatlagter	Arrow-marked Babbler
Turdus smithi	Geelbeklyster	Karoo Thrush
Urocolius indicus	Rooiwangmuisvoel	Red-faced Mousebird
Vanellus armatus	Bontkiewiet	Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus coronatus	Kroonkiewiet	Crowned Lapwing
Vanellus senegallus	Lelkiewiet	Wattled Lapwing
Zosterops virens	Kaapse Glasogie	Cape White-eye

If you’d like to join me on a guided tour of Rietvlei – on a hike or on an open vehicle drive – you can book through melanie@rietvleicoffee.co.za / +27(0)74-820-9926.

Large-leaved Dragon Tree

12 Replies

Dracaena aletriformis

The Large-leafed Dragon Tree is an evergreen plant growing to a height of up to 5m, occurring in coastal and montane forests from the Eastern Cape to the escarpment in Limpopo. It is also a popular feature plant in shady gardens, its flowers being a magnet to bees, moths and butterflies and its berries being rather popular with frugivorous birds.

Large-leaved Dragon Plant

Broad-billed Roller

12 Replies

Eurystomus glaucurus

A bird of moist savannas, woodlands and forests, often found near large rivers and permanent water bodies, the Broad-billed Roller subsists on a diet that is mainly made up of termite and ant alates, beetles and other invertebrates caught in flight. They start breeding after good rains, nesting in holes in dead trees where clutches of 2-4 chicks are raised. Adults weigh about 100g and measure approximately 29cm in length.

The Broad-billed Roller has a wide distribution over Africa’s tropical and sub-tropical regions and is also found in Madagascar. They migrate to South Africa around mid-spring and depart again by the end of summer and have a very limited local range, occurring only in coastal northern Kwazulu-Natal, the Lowveld and escarpment of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and in the Limpopo River Valley. The IUCN lists the Broad-billed Roller as being of least concern.

Broad-billed Roller

Broad-billed rollers

Broad-billed Roller

Purple Roller

14 Replies

Coracias naevius

The Purple Roller occurs fairly widely in the woodland and savannah areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, and the IUCN considers it to be of least concern. Here in South Africa they’re found from the north of Kwazulu-Natal through the Lowveld and Bushveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo to the North West Province and Kalahari regions of the Northern Cape, but isn’t commonly encountered anywhere.

Purple Rollers feed mainly on insects but will also snap up other invertebrates and even small lizards, mice and baby birds! They’re usually seen alone or in monogamous, territorial pairs. Partners perform elaborate aerial courtship displays – hence the family name – and strengthen the pair bond by feeding each other. They usually nest in cavities in dead trees, laying clutches of 2-5 eggs, during spring and summer. Both parents take care of the chicks at the nest. Adults weigh above 150g and measure about 33cm in length.

Purple Roller

Purple Roller (photo by Joubert)

Purple Roller

Purple Roller (photo by Joubert)

Purple Roller

Caspian Tern

10 Replies

Hydroprogne (Sterna) caspia

While the IUCN considers the global population of the Caspian Tern as being of least concern, with the species being found on all the continents except South America and Antarctica, the South African population is considered to be vulnerable and is estimated at less than 1,000 adults birds with only about 300 breeding pairs in the country. Here they’re found along our entire coastline, preferring river mouths and bays, and at permanent water bodies on the Highveld. Caspian Terns feed almost exclusively on fish, caught by hovering and then diving to snatch the prey from the water. They’re mostly seen alone or in small flocks, often mixing with other kinds of water birds.

Caspian Terns form permanent pairs, breeding during the summer season in nests that are little more than a shallow scrape on the ground lined with a few pieces of dried plant material. The parents work together to incubate clutches of 1-3 eggs over a three week period. While the chicks leave the nest when they are only around a week old, they can’t fly till they’re about a month old and remain with their parents until about 8 months of age. Fully grown Caspian Terns, the largest species in the family, weigh almost 700g and measure around 50cm long.

Caspian Tern

Willow Warbler

10 Replies

Phylloscopus trochilus

The Willow Warbler is a bird that visits South Africa during our summer months, the first ones arriving towards the end of September and the last departing again by May. While they’re here they may be found in all our provinces, though they rarely venture into the dry western parts of the country. Willow Warblers breed across a large swathe of Eurasia. The IUCN estimates their total population at as many as 650-million birds and lists the species as being of least concern.

Willow Warblers eat insects and other invertebrates and lives in a variety of woodland and savanna habitats and also well planted parks and gardens. These are restless birds, usually seen singly, in pairs or small groups of 3 or 4 (rarely up to 30), and often associate with other small insectivorous birds in mixed “feeding parties”.

Adult Willow Warblers weigh only about 9g and measure only around 12cm in length.

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler (photo by Joubert)

Willow Warbler

Willow Warblers (photo by Joubert)

Willow Warbler

Pea Blue Butterfly

5 Replies

Lampides boeticus

One of the most widespread butterflies in the world, being found in Australia, Asia, Europe and Africa, the Pea Blue, or Long-tailed Blue, occurs all over South Africa. They’re quite catholic in their habitat requirements and very common in gardens. They can be a pest where peas and beans are farmed; the larvae feeding on plants from the legume family.

Adult Pea Blues are seen throughout the year and boast a wingspan of only 2-3cm. The IUCN considers it to be of least concern.

Pea Blue

Pea Blue butterflies

Long-tailed Blue

Long-tailed Blue Butterfly

Pea Blue

Southern Pochard

4 Replies

Netta erythrophthalma

The Southern Pochard is a species of duck found in both Africa and South America. They occur naturally in wetlands with deep water and lots of water plants but have also adapted to farm dams and sewage treatment works. They feed on seeds and leaves, usually taken from the water by diving and dabbling.

Southern Pochards may breed throughout the year in response to favourable conditions. Pairs are monogamous. The female constructs the bowl-shaped nest on the ground, well hidden by the surrounding vegetation, near the water’s edge. She may lay clutches of more than a dozen eggs, one per day, before starting to incubate them. The chicks then hatch after 3-4 weeks and can swim and dive almost straight away. The growing chicks can feed themselves and eat a lot more insects and other invertebrates than their parents do. They can fly by the time they’re about 2 months old.

Despite mentioning a declining population, the IUCN considers the Southern Pochard to be of least concern. In South Africa they’re found at suitable habitat in all our provinces with most of the population centred on the Highveld and in the Western Cape. These are nomadic birds, often making treks of up to 3,000km in search of watery habitats that suit their requirements.

Southern Pochard

Southern Pochard (photo by Joubert)

Southern Pochard

Southern Pochard female

Southern Pochards

Southern Pochard

Southern Pochards

Southern Pochard (photo by Joubert)

Southern Pochards

Female Southern Pochard

Southern Pochard

Southern Pochards

Southern Pochard

Southern Pochards

Southern Pochard

Sandmen Butterflies

9 Replies

Genus Spialia

The Sandmen is a familiar and widespread genus of tiny butterflies, with some species occurring in almost every corner of South Africa in almost every habitat, from forests to semi-deserts, while others have extremely limited ranges and very specific habitat requirements. They all look very similar and are difficult to identify to species level in the field. Adults have a wingspan of only 2-3cm and fly low to the ground, settling often on fresh dung, flowers, leaves, rocks or on the bare ground and regularly returning to the same spot. Their larvae feed on a wide range of indigenous plants.

South Africa is home to 14 species of Spialia Sandmen:
Boland Sandman (S. sataspes)
Bushveld Sandman (S. colotes)
Common Sandman (S. diomus)
Confusing Sandman (S. confusa)
Delagoa Sandman (S. delagoae)
Dwarf Sandman (S. nanus)
Forest Sandman (S. dromus)
Grassveld Sandman (S. agylla)
Mafa Sandman (S. mafa)
Mite Sandman (S. paula)
Mountain Sandman (S. spio)
Star Sandman (S. asterodia)
Wandering Sandman (S. depauperata)
Wolkberg Sandman (S. secessus)

Sandman Butterfly

Marsh Owl

16 Replies

Asio capensis

The Marsh Owl inhabits wetlands, covered by reeds and sedges, and tall grasslands, occasionally venturing into areas of thorny savanna, and are quite nomadic. Where it occurs it is seen more easily than most other kinds of owls as they are often active from early dusk till well after first light, especially when feeding chicks. They’re also much more social than others of their kind and may congregate in groups of more than 50 birds outside of the breeding season. Marsh Owls hunt mostly on the wing, gliding low to the ground and taking prey ranging in size from termites and snails to bats, rodents, snakes, lizards, frogs and birds up to the size of pigeons. They often store their captured prey in a larder to consume later.

Marsh Owls nest in shallow depressions on the ground, well hidden at the base of dense vegetation, usually during the dry season. They form monogamous pairs and the female takes sole responsibility for incubation of the clutch of 2-6 eggs while the male brings her food at the nest. The chicks stay in the nest for only about two-and-a-half weeks, even though they won’t be able to fly for several weeks more, staying well hidden in dense vegetation at ground level until they fledge. They probably remain dependent on their parents until they’re about 3 months old. Fully grown Marsh Owls measure about 35cm in length and weigh approximately 300g.

The IUCN considers the Marsh Owl to be of least concern. It is widely distributed in Madagascar and east, central and southern Africa, with isolated populations on various parts of West Africa and Morocco. Here in South Africa they’re mainly found in the grasslands of the Highveld (Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga and North West) where the Rietvlei Nature Reserve on Pretoria’s southern outskirts is an excellent location to find and view them.