Tag Archives: Rietvlei Nature Reserve

July ’25 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

June and July was busy months for me and there wasn’t much opportunity to guide walks and drives at Rietvlei Nature Reserve the past two months. Still, on the few occasions I could, we had marvelous sightings even if the winter weather was bitterly cold!

Spotted-necked Otter

Malachite Kingfisher

African Darter

White-breasted Cormorants

Island View at Rietvlei in the early morning

Sacred Ibis

Dabchick

Sacred Ibis

White-breasted Cormorant

Grey-headed Gull

Reed Cormorant

Greater Flamingo

Egyptian Goose

Reed Cormorant

Lesser Swamp Warbler

Red-knobbed Coot

Reed Cormorant

Crimson-breasted Shrike

Malachite Kingfisher

Wattled Lapwing

Spotted Dikkop

African Stone-chat

Common Duiker

Cape Glossy Starling

Yellow-eyed Canary

Ring-necked Parakeet

Black Sparrowhawk with a dove it killed being mobbed by a Pied Crow

Black Sparrowhawk with a dove it killed

Young Buffalo

Red Hartebeest

Island View Hide

African Stone-chat

Reed Cormorant

Buffalo bull

Crimson-breasted Shrike

Frost covering a wooden railing

Blesbok

African Pipit

Ostriches

Buffalo bull

Young buffalo

Waterbuck bull

Black-chested Prinia

Arrow-marked Babbler

Blesbok

Buffalo bull

White Rhino’s ear

Yellow-billed Duck

Green-backed Heron

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.

List of birds seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during June & July 2025:

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 undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Ardeola ralloides	Ralreier	Squacco Heron
Astur melanoleucus	Swartsperwer	Black Sparrowhawk
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Butorides striata	Groenrugreier	Green-backed Heron
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Ceryle rudis	Bontvisvanger	Pied Kingfisher
Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus	Gryskopmeeu	Grey-headed Gull
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola fulvicapilla	Neddikkie	Neddicky
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Corythornis cristatus	Kuifkopvisvanger	Malachite Kingfisher
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Crithagra mozambica	Geeloogkanarie	Yellow-fronted Canary
Curruca subcoerulea	Bosveldtjeriktik	Chestnut-vented Warbler
Dendrocygna viduata	Nonnetjie-eend	White-faced Whistling Duck
Dendropicos fuscescens	Kardinaalspeg	Cardinal Woodpecker
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 orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Kleinglansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lophoceros nasutus	Grysneushoringvoel	African Grey Hornbill
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Megaceryle maxima	Reusevisvanger	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
Phoenicopterus roseus	Grootflamink	Greater Flamingo
Phoeniculus purpureus	Rooibekkakelaar	Green Wood-hoopoe
Platalea alba	Lepelaar	African Spoonbill
Ploceus capensis	Kaapse Wewer	Cape Weaver
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Prinia flavicans	Swartbandlangstertjie	Black-chested Prinia
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparkiet	Rose-ringed Parakeet
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
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
Vanellus armatus	Bontkiewiet	Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus coronatus	Kroonkiewiet	Crowned Lapwing
Vanellus senegallus	Lelkiewiet	Wattled Lapwing
Zapornia flavirostra	Swartriethaan	Black Crake
Zosterops virens	Kaapse Glasogie	Cape White-eye

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during June & July 2025:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Alcelaphus buselaphus	Rooihartbees	Red Hartebeest
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
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Hydrictis maculicollis	Kleinotter	Spotted-necked Otter
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Sylvicapra grimmia	Grysduiker	Common Duiker
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

May ’25 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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With May drawing to a close I can reflect on the blessing of more chances to explore our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve with guests interested in learning more about this little piece of paradise right on our capital city’s doorstep. Winter’s definitely starting to bite, and sightings of of reptiles and butterflies are dwindling.

Eland, with Rietvlei Dam in the background

Painted Lady Butterfly

Puff Adder

Speckled Rock Skink

Juvenile Mole Snake

The migrant birds that spend the summer in our part of the world have disappeared, and the resident birds have exchanged their best summer breeding plumage for drabber colouration. Nevertheless, Rietvlei is still an amazing place for bird watchers and I ticked off 96 species in the past month.

African Darter

African Pipit

Arrow-marked Babbler

Bearded Woodpecker

Black-chested Snake Eagle

Blue-billed Teal

Brown-crowned Tchagra

Cape Glossy Starling

Crimson-breasted Shrike

Fiscal Flycatcher

Fork-tailed Drongo

Green-backed Heron

Green Woodhoopoe

Grey Go-away Bird

Northern Black Korhaan

Orange River Francolins

Reed Cormorant – feeding time!

Reed Cormorant

Streaky-headed Seed-eater

Swainson’s Spurfowl

White-breasted Cormorant

Zitting Cisticola

With the veld opening up as the grass starts drying the mammal viewing at Rietvlei is definitely getting easier, with the larger herbivorous animals starting to congregate near water and in areas with greener pastures.

Eland

Waterbuck cow

Red Hartebeest

Black-backed Jackal

Plains Zebra drinking

Waterbuck bull

Hippopotamus

Black Wildebeest

Buffalo

Serval

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.

List of birds seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during May 2025:

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
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Ardea purpurea	Rooireier	Purple Heron
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Bubulcus ibis	Veereier	Western Cattle Egret
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Butorides striata	Groenrugreier	Green-backed Heron
Campethera bennettii	Bennettse speg	Bennett’s Woodpecker
Cecropis cucullata	Grootstreepswael	Greater Striped Swallow
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Ceryle rudis	Bontvisvanger	Pied Kingfisher
Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus	Gryskopmeeu	Grey-headed Gull
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
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 ardens	Rooikeelflap	Red-collared Widowbird
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Falco biarmicus	Edelvalk	Lanner Falcon
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Hirundo rustica	Europese Swael	Barn Swallow
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Indicator minor	Kleinheuningwyser	Lesser Honeyguide
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Kleinglansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lophoceros nasutus	Grysneushoringvoel	African Grey Hornbill
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Microcarbo africanus	Rietduiker	Reed Cormorant
Micronisus gabar	Kleinsingvalk	Gabar Goshawk
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
Platalea alba	Lepelaar	African Spoonbill
Plectropterus gambensis	Wildemakou	Spur-winged Goose
Ploceus capensis	Kaapse Wewer	Cape Weaver
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Porphyrio madagascariensis	Grootkoningriethaan	African Swamphen
Prinia flavicans	Swartbandlangstertjie	Black-chested Prinia
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparkiet	Rose-ringed Parakeet
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Riparia paludicola	Afrikaanse Oewerswael	Brown-throated Martin
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Scleroptila gutturalis	Kalaharipatrys	Orange River Francolin
Scleroptila levaillantii	Rooivlerkpatrys	Red-winged Francolin
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Spatula hottentota	Gevlekte Eend	Blue-billed Teal
Sphenoeacus afer	Grasvoel	Cape Grassbird
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
Tchagra australis	Rooivlerktjagra	Brown-crowned Tchagra
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Trachyphonus vaillantii	Kuifkophoutkapper	Crested Barbet
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

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during May 2025:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Alcelaphus buselaphus	Rooihartbees	Red Hartebeest
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
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Leptailurus serval	Tierboskat	Serval
Suricata suricatta	Meerkat	Suricate
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

April ’25 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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March and April knell in the autumn season in our part of the world, and while we still had lots of rain in both months temperatures have also declined noticeably of late with the sun rising ever later and setting ever earlier. Misty mornings are the order of the day now at our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve and the colours in the leaves are matched by a large number of autumn butterflies. I’ve had the pleasure of guiding several groups on drives through the reserve the past two months, and in conjunction with Hannes Rossouw Photography we also hosted learners from Joubert’s high school’s photography club on a wildlife and nature photography workshop.

Rietvlei sunrise

Rietvlei scenery

Eyed Pansy

Dotted Blues

Broad-bordered Grass Yellows

Net-winged Beetles

Sooty Blue

Citrus Swallowtail

Giant Bullfrog juvenile

Heavily gravid female Common Green Mantis

Rain storm passing over Rietvlei

Sunset at Rietvlei

Rietvlei sunset

As mentioned, we’re experiencing many misty mornings at this time of the year and, while it makes early morning game-viewing tricky the multitude of wet spiderwebs illuminated by the first rays of sunlight are a sight to behold!

Waterbuck in the mist

Eland in the mist

Spiderwebs on a misty morning

Spiderweb (photo by Joubert)

Spiderweb

Spiderweb (photo by Joubert)

African Stone-Chat in a misty sunrise

A most remarkable sighting this past month was of a Black-headed Heron that had caught a Brown House Snake!

Black-headed Heron with a snake it caught

Rietvlei is still delivering lots of interest for bird lovers, not least of which was a flock of cuckoo finches that spent several weeks in the reserve before moving on.

African Darter

African Fish Eagle

Pair of African Fish Eagles calling

African Paradise Flycatcher

African Snipe

African Stone-chat

Banded Martin

Black-winged Kite

Burchell’s Coucal

Cape Glossy Starling

Cape Grassbird

Cape Longclaw

Cape Robin-Chat

Cape Wagtail

Cattle Egret

Crowned Lapwing (photo by Joubert)

Cuckoo Finch male

Dark-capped Bulbul

Fiscal Shrike

Green-backed Heron

Jacobin Cuckoo

Levaillant’s Cisticola

Long-tailed Widowbird male in flight

Malachite Kingfisher (photo by Joubert)

Marsh Owl

Northern Black Korhaan female

Orange-breasted Waxbill

Smiling Ostrich

Pin-tailed Whydah male

Female Pin-tailed Whydah

Reed Cormorants

Southern Masked Weaver

Swainson’s Spurfowl chicks

African Wattled Lapwing

White-breasted Cormorants

Zitting Ciscticola

Ostrich family gathering (photo by Joubert)

Rietvlei’s densely vegetated grasslands is still making it very difficult to see any of the smaller kinds of mammals that call the reserve home, but thankfully the large population and wide variety of larger animals are still playing their part to make our guided drives and walks most memorable.

Black-backed Jackal

Black Wildebeest

Blesbok

Blesbok running across Otter Bridge (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo bull looking fearsome (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo cow

Buffalo calf (photo by Joubert)

Buffaloes crossing a road in Rietvlei (photo by Joubert)

Buffalo rushing through the long grass (photo by Joubert)

Young eland cows

Eland bull

Spotted-neck Otter

Plains Zebra portrait

Waterbuck

Waterbuck cow

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.

List of birds we saw at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during March and April 2025 (109 species):

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 sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Anomalospiza imberbis	Koekoekvink	Cuckoo-Finch
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Apus apus	Europese Windswael	Common Swift
Apus caffer	Witkruiswindswael	White-rumped Swift
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Asio capensis	Vlei-uil	Marsh Owl
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
Caprimulgus pectoralis	Afrikaanse Naguil	Fiery-necked Nightjar
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
Circus ranivorus	Afrikaanse Vleivalk	African Marsh Harrier
Cisticola fulvicapilla	Neddikkie	Neddicky
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Corythornis cristatus	Kuifkopvisvanger	Malachite Kingfisher
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Crithagra mozambica	Geeloogkanarie	Yellow-fronted Canary
Dendropicos fuscescens	Kardinaalspeg	Cardinal Woodpecker
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 axillaris	Kortstertflap	Fan-tailed Whydah
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Falco biarmicus	Edelvalk	Lanner Falcon
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	Europese Swael	Barn Swallow
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Kleinglansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lanius minor	Gryslaksman	Lesser Grey Shrike
Lophoceros nasutus	Grysneushoringvoel	African Grey Hornbill
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Merops apiaster	Europese Byvreter	European Bee-eater
Microcarbo africanus	Rietduiker	Reed Cormorant
Mirafra africana	Rooineklewerik	Rufous-naped Lark
Motacilla capensis	Gewone Kwikkie	Cape Wagtail
Muscicapa striata	Europese Vlieevanger	Spotted Flycatcher
Neophedina cincta	Gebande Oewerswael	Banded Martin
Numida meleagris	Gewone Tarentaal	Helmeted Guineafowl
Oena capensis	Namakwaduifie	Namaqua Dove
Ortygospiza atricollis	Gewone Kwartelvinkie	African Quail Finch
Oxylophus jacobinus	Bontnuwejaarsvoel	Jacobin Cuckoo
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
Phylloscopus trochilus	Hofsanger	Willow Warbler
Ploceus capensis	Kaapse Wewer	Cape Weaver
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Prinia flavicans	Swartbandlangstertjie	Black-chested Prinia
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Quelea quelea	Rooibekkwelea	Red-billed Quelea
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Scleroptila gutturalis	Kalaharipatrys	Orange River Francolin
Scopus umbretta	Hamerkop	Hamerkop
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Sphenoeacus afer	Grasvoel	Cape Grassbird
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
Tchagra senegalus	Swartkroontjagra	Black-crowned Tchagra
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Terpsiphone viridis	Paradysvlieevanger	African Paradise Flycatcher
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Trachyphonus vaillantii	Kuifkophoutkapper	Crested Barbet
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
Vidua macroura	Koningrooibekkie	Pin-tailed Whydah
Zosterops virens	Kaapse Glasogie	Cape White-eye

List of mammals we saw at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during March and April 2025 (14 species):

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
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Hydrictis maculicollis	Kleinotter	Spotted-necked Otter
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Sylvicapra grimmia	Grysduiker	Common Duiker
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

February ’25 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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We’ve been having loads of rain in Pretoria since mid-December and our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve has turned into a lush green paradise where even rhinos and buffalo can disappear among the tall grass, in striking contrast to the fire-ravaged veld in early spring. The reserve was even closed due to flooding for a few days in February! Nature’s resilience is remarkable! The month of February marks a year since I started guiding guests on drives and walks through this special reserve on a freelance basis, and in conjunction with Hannes Rossouw Photography we presented another “introduction to wildlife photography” workshop for aspirant wildlife photographers from Gauteng at the reserve in February as well.

Early morning at Rietvlei, on my way to meet my guests for the morning drive

Sunrise at Rietvlei

Sooty Blue butterfly pair

Speckled Rock Skink

Mosquito Fish

Common Diadem butterfly

Swainson’s Spurfowl landing on a dead branch

Storm building over Rietvlei

Heading home in the evening

The young Black-chested Snake Eagle is venturing further afield of the nest in which it was raised, though still returning to it regularly. I haven’t seen its parents at the nest at all during January and February, and suspect they’re probably coaxing the youngster to roam more widely by feeding it at other places.

Adult Black-chested Snake Eagle

Juvenile Black-chested Snake Eagle

Aside from the Black-chested Snake Eagles, Rietvlei’s grasslands, thorny thickets and wetlands are positively bursting at the seams with a wide-variety of other birds, several of them in enormous numbers.

African Black Duck

African Darter

African Quail Finch

African Stonechat

Amur Falcon

Banded Martin

Black-chested Prinia

Bokmakierie

Cape Grassbird

Cape Longclaw

Cattle Egret

Crowned Lapwing

Diederik Cuckoo

Fan-tailed Widowbird

Giant Kingfisher

Hamerkop

Orange-breasted Waxbills

Ostriches dustbathing

Ostriches

Ostriches females in a tiff

Pin-tailed Whydah male displaying to the female

Pin-tailed Whydah

Red Bishop

Red-billed Quelea

Red-collared Widowbird

Red-throated Wryneck

Reed Cormorant

Rufous-naped Lark

Southern Masked weaver

Spotted Thick-knee

Wattled Lapwing

Willow Warbler

Yellow-billed Duck

Yellow-fronted Canary

Zitting Cisticola

List of birds seen at Rietvlei in January and February 2025:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Coturnix coturnix	Afrikaanse Kwartel	Common Quail
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Elanus caeruleus	Blouvalk	Black-winged Kite
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Tricholaema leucomelas	Bonthoutkapper	Acacia Pied Barbet
Vanellus armatus	Bontkiewiet	Blacksmith Lapwing
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Buteo buteo	Bruinjakkalsvoel	Common Buzzard
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Chrysococcyx caprius	Diederikkie	Diederik Cuckoo
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Merops apiaster	Europese Byvreter	European Bee-eater
Hirundo rustica	Europese Swael	Barn Swallow
Muscicapa striata	Europese Vlieevanger	Spotted Flycatcher
Apus apus	Europese Windswael	Common Swift
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Neophedina cincta	Gebande Oewerswael	Banded Martin
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Turdus smithi	Geelbeklyster	Karoo Thrush
Crithagra mozambica	Geeloogkanarie	Yellow-fronted Canary
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Dessonornis caffer	Gewone Janfrederik	Cape Robin-Chat
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Ortygospiza atricollis	Gewone Kwartelvinkie	African Quail Finch
Motacilla capensis	Gewone Kwikkie	Cape Wagtail
Passer melanurus	Gewone Mossie	Cape Sparrow
Tringa hypoleucos	Gewone Ruiter	Common Sandpiper
Numida meleagris	Gewone Tarentaal	Helmeted Guineafowl
Streptopelia capicola	Gewone Tortelduif	Cape Turtle Dove
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Plegadis falcinellus	Glansibis	Glossy Ibis
Sphenoeacus afer	Grasvoel	Cape Grassbird
Streptopelia semitorquata	Grootringduif	Red-eyed Dove
Cecropis cucullata	Grootstreepswael	Greater Striped Swallow
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Passer diffusus	Gryskopmossie	Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
Lophoceros nasutus	Grysneushoringvoel	African Grey Hornbill
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Scopus umbretta	Hamerkop	Hamerkop
Upupa africana	Hoephoep	African Hoopoe
Phylloscopus trochilus	Hofsanger	Willow Warbler
Acridotheres tristis	Indiese Spreeu	Common Myna
Zosterops virens	Kaapse Glasogie	Cape White-eye
Acrocephalus gracilirostris	Kaapse Rietsanger	Lesser Swamp Warbler
Ploceus capensis	Kaapse Wewer	Cape Weaver
Scleroptila gutturalis	Kalaharipatrys	Orange River Francolin
Tachybaptus ruficollis	Kleindobbertjie	Little Grebe
Lamprotornis nitens	Kleinglansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Alopochen aegyptiaca	Kolgans	Egyptian Goose
Vidua macroura	Koningrooibekkie	Pin-tailed Whydah
Euplectes axillaris	Kortstertflap	Fan-tailed Whydah
Vanellus coronatus	Kroonkiewiet	Crowned Lapwing
Trachyphonus vaillantii	Kuifkophoutkapper	Crested Barbet
Corythornis cristatus	Kuifkopvisvanger	Malachite Kingfisher
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Vanellus senegallus	Lelkiewiet	Wattled Lapwing
Dicrurus adsimilis	Mikstertbyvanger	Fork-tailed Drongo
Falco amurensis	Oostelike Rooipootvalk	Amur Falcon
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Cypsiurus parvus	Palmwindswael	African Palm Swift
Turdoides jardineii	Pylvlekkatlagter	Arrow-marked Babbler
Microcarbo africanus	Rietduiker	Reed Cormorant
Amandava subflava	Rooiassie	Orange-breasted Waxbill
Anas erythrorhyncha	Rooibekeend	Red-billed Teal
Phoeniculus purpureus	Rooibekkakelaar	Green Wood-hoopoe
Quelea quelea	Rooibekkwelea	Red-billed Quelea
Estrilda astrild	Rooibeksysie	Common Waxbill
Spilopelia senegalensis	Rooiborsduifie	Laughing Dove
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Euplectes ardens	Rooikeelflap	Red-collared Widowbird
Amadina erythrocephala	Rooikopvink	Red-headed Finch
Mirafra africana	Rooineklewerik	Rufous-naped Lark
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Urocolius indicus	Rooiwangmuisvoel	Red-faced Mousebird
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Prinia flavicans	Swartbandlangstertjie	Black-chested Prinia
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Anas sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Chalcomitra amethystina	Swartsuikerbekkie	Amethyst Sunbird
Apus barbatus	Swartwindswael	African Black Swift
Bubulcus ibis	Veereier	Western Cattle Egret
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Asio capensis	Vlei-uil	Marsh Owl
Struthio camelus	Volstruis	Common Ostrich
Phalacrocorax lucidus	Witborsduiker	White-breasted Cormorant
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Hirundo albigularis	Witkeelswael	White-throated Swallow
Apus caffer	Witkruiswindswael	White-rumped Swift
Euplectes albonotatus	Witvlerkflap	White-winged Widowbird
Afrotis afraoides	Witvlerkkorhaan	Northern Black Korhaan

The tall grass and lush vegetation is making it very difficult to see most of the mammals and especially the smaller kinds. One exception is the zebras, seeming to now prefer the reserve’s roads for walking from one grazing area to the next and giving me and my guests wonderful up-close encounters with these beautiful animals.

Black-backed Jackal with a bullfrog

Black Wildebeest

Blesbok

Buffalo

Plains Zebras

Plains Zebra

Plains Zebra female and foal

Plains Zebra foal getting a tail in the face

Plains Zebra

Plains Zebras

Red Hartebeest calf

Eland running across the road

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei in January and February 2025:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Damaliscus pygargus	Blesbok	Blesbuck
Equus quagga	Bontsebra	Plains Zebra
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland
Sylvicapra grimmia	Grysduiker	Common Duiker
Suricata suricatta	Meerkat	Suricate
Alcelaphus buselaphus	Rooihartbees	Red Hartebeest
Canis mesomelas	Rooijakkals	Black-backed Jackal
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Antidorcas marsupialis	Springbok	Springbuck
Connochaetes gnou	Swartwildebees	Black Wildebeest
Leptailurus serval	Tierboskat	Serval
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Cynictis penicillata	Witkwasmuishond	Yellow Mongoose
Ceratotherium simum	Witrenoster	White Rhinoceros

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.

Our 2024 in Pictures

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Join us as we reminisce about the places DeWetsWild visited while exploring Southern Africa’s wild places in 2024!

May 2025 be a year to remember for all the best reasons. Happy New Year, everyone!

Chalet 4 at Boschkop, on the shores of the Vaal Dam, January 2024

Skukuza Rest Camp, Kruger National Park, January 2024

Skukuza Bungalow #210, Kruger National Park, January 2024

Skukuza Safari Tent #316, Kruger National Park, January 2024

Cliffhanger Lodge

Leopard Rock Lodge

Recce Lodge

Sunrise at Rietvlei

Camping at Elephant Sands

Elephants drinking from the waterhole in Elephant Sands Lodge

Camping at Domtshetshu Pan

Camping under the stars on Sua Pan

On the horizon lies our campsite on Sua Pan, surrounded by emptiness

Elephant Sands’ Eco Lodge

Campsite #19 at Senyati Safari Camp

Elephants at the waterhole seen from the deck above Senyati’s restaurant

Game-viewing by boat on the Chobe River

Elephants making their way to the Chobe River

Victoria Falls

Lilydale Unit#1, Mokala National Park, June 2024

Sunset Kudu at Mokala

Buffelshoek Safari Camp, Manyeleti Nature Reserve, June 2024

Two of the Kambula Lions at Manyeleti

Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel, Boardwalk Shopping Centre and Bertha’s Restaurant

View from my room at the Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel

African Penguin

Ostriches on the beach at the Cape of Good Hope

Kirstenbosch Spring Annuals Display

Table Mountain cableway

Big old elephant bull between Satara and Olifants in the Kruger National Park

Jamie Mulhovo Guest House, Skukuza, October 2024

Sunset scenery around Skukuza

Research Camp Chalet 5, Skukuza, October 2024

Buffalo at sunset

Research Camp Guest House, Shingwedzi, October 2024

Elephant cow walking past Shingwedzi Camp’s entrance

Gariep N1 Chalets in the Great Karoo

Camping at Karoo National Park, December 2024

Karoo Scenery

Camping at Aloe Canyons

Aloe Canyons

Entrance to Bontebok National Park

Bontebok National Park scenery

De Hoop Vlei

Agulhas Lighthouse

African Penguins on the boardwalk at Betty’s Bay

Camping at Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp in the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park

Wilderness

Camping at Storms River Mouth

Rough seas at the Tsitsikamma coast

November ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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Summer has now firmly returned to our part of the world and our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve has turned into a green paradise boasting with a wide variety of colourful blooms. What a pleasure it was conducting guided drives through landscapes so vibrant with life this past month!

Serene scenic spot in Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Large herd of Eland

Hypoxis flowers

Hypoxis flowers dotting a recently burned grassland

Wild Penstemom (Graderia-sp)

Chocolate Bells

Sweet Thorn blossoms

Sweet Thorn tree in bloom

Helichrysum species

Rorippa species

Red-hot Poker (Kniphofia) species

Gnidia species

Ipomoea species

Bloubietou

Poison Bulb (Boophane)

Solanum species

Doll’s Powderpuff

Fine-leaved Verbena (naturalised weed from South America)

Clerodendrum species

Berkheya species

Dog Rose (must be a garden escapee)

Unidentified bloom

Bloumelkbos

All around birds are nesting and many males are sporting their splendid breeding plumage, showing off their finery, doing display flights and singing loudly to attract their mate’s attention.

Rufous-naped Lark

Cattle Egret

Northern Black Korhaan male displaying

Long-tailed Widowbird

Southern Red Bishop male in breeding plumage

Southern Masked Weaver

Pin-tailed Whydah male

Red-collared Widowbird

Whiskered Tern

These Glossy Starling males were caught in the midst of a bloody fight, which could only be about a female or a prime nesting site – or both!

Cape Glossy Starlings in a vicious fight

The spring season has brought a baby boom to Rietvlei! From tiny lapwing chicks and newly hatched leopard tortoises to the newest addition to Rietvlei’s rhino population; these cute little creatures are sure to make your heart melt!

White Rhino calf

Crowned Lapwing chicks

Crowned Lapwing chick

Ostrich family with newly hatched chicks

Baby Ostrich

Red Hartebeest with newborn calf

Black-backed Jackal pup

Newborn buffalo

Eland calves with the herd

Newly hatched Leopard Tortoise

Zebra foal

Curious baby Yellow Mongoose

White Rhino calf

The resident pair of Black-chested Snake Eagles are also nesting again and providing a steady stream of serpentine sustenance to their new chick.

Black-chested Snake Eagles at their nest

After the first heavy rain shower at the end of October, Sharp-tooth Catfish started congregating at Otter Bridge, ready to move into their spawning grounds in the marshy area upstream.

Sharptooth Catfish at Otter Bridge

We’re also now seeing lots of insects and reptiles out and about on the reserve thanks to the warm weather.

Speckled Rock Skink

Leopard Tortoise

Nile Monitor

Green Milkweed Locust

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei in October & November 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
Hippopotamus amphibius	Seekoei	Hippopotamus
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Suricata suricatta	Meerkat	Suricate
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

Plains Zebras

Black-backed Jackal

Black Wildebeest

Blesbok

Black Wildebeest

Black-backed Jackal

Yellow Mongoose

Black-backed Jackal and Blesbok

Meerkat

Waterbuck

Eland

Blesbok

Eland on the run

List of birds seen at Rietvlei in October & November 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
Amblyospiza albifrons	Dikbekwewer	Thick-billed Weaver
Anas erythrorhyncha	Rooibekeend	Red-billed Teal
Anas sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Anthus vaalensis	Vaalkoester	Buffy Pipit
Apus barbatus	Swartwindswael	African Black Swift
Apus caffer	Witkruiswindswael	White-rumped Swift
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Ardeola ralloides	Ralreier	Squacco Heron
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Bubulcus ibis	Veereier	Western Cattle Egret
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Buteo buteo	Bruinjakkalsvoel	Common Buzzard
Camaroptera brevicaudata	Grysrugkwekwevoel	Grey-backed Camaroptera
Cecropis cucullata	Grootstreepswael	Greater Striped Swallow
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Ceryle rudis	Bontvisvanger	Pied Kingfisher
Chlidonias hybrida	Witbaardsterretjie	Whiskered Tern
Chrysococcyx caprius	Diederikkie	Diederik Cuckoo
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Corythornis cristatus	Kuifkopvisvanger	Malachite Kingfisher
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Crithagra gularis	Streepkopkanarie	Streaky-headed Seedeater
Crithagra mozambica	Geeloogkanarie	Yellow-fronted Canary
Curruca subcoerulea	Bosveldtjeriktik	Chestnut-vented Warbler
Cypsiurus parvus	Palmwindswael	African Palm Swift
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
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Hirundo albigularis	Witkeelswael	White-throated Swallow
Hirundo rustica	Europese Swael	Barn Swallow
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Indicator indicator	Groot Heuningwyser	Greater Honeyguide
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Kleinglansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lybius torquatus	Rooikophoutkapper	Black-collared Barbet
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Merops apiaster	Europese Byvreter	European Bee-eater
Microcarbo africanus	Rietduiker	Reed Cormorant
Mirafra africana	Rooineklewerik	Rufous-naped Lark
Motacilla capensis	Gewone Kwikkie	Cape Wagtail
Neophedina cincta	Gebande Oewerswael	Banded Martin
Numida meleagris	Gewone Tarentaal	Helmeted Guineafowl
Oenanthe pileata	Hoeveldskaapwagter	Capped Wheatear
Onychognathus morio	Rooivlerkspreeu	Red-winged Starling
Passer diffusus	Gryskopmossie	Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
Passer domesticus	Huismossie	House Sparrow
Passer melanurus	Gewone Mossie	Cape Sparrow
Phalacrocorax lucidus	Witborsduiker	White-breasted Cormorant
Phoeniculus purpureus	Rooibekkakelaar	Green Wood-hoopoe
Phylloscopus trochilus	Hofsanger	Willow Warbler
Plectropterus gambensis	Wildemakou	Spur-winged Goose
Ploceus capensis	Kaapse Wewer	Cape Weaver
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Quelea quelea	Rooibekkwelea	Red-billed Quelea
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Sphenoeacus afer	Grasvoel	Cape Grassbird
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
Tchagra senegalus	Swartkroontjagra	Black-crowned Tchagra
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Terpsiphone viridis	Paradysvlieevanger	African Paradise Flycatcher
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Turdoides jardineii	Pylvlekkatlagter	Arrow-marked Babbler
Turdus smithi	Geelbeklyster	Karoo Thrush
Upupa africana	Hoephoep	African Hoopoe
Urocolius indicus	Rooiwangmuisvoel	Red-faced Mousebird
Vanellus armatus	Bontkiewiet	Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus coronatus	Kroonkiewiet	Crowned Lapwing
Vanellus senegallus	Lelkiewiet	Wattled Lapwing
Vidua macroura	Koningrooibekkie	Pin-tailed Whydah
Zosterops virens	Kaapse Glasogie	Cape White-eye

Ostrich

Red-billed Teals

Common Sandpiper

Northern Black Korhaan male

Capped Wheatear

Banded Martin

Cape White-eye

Fiscal Flycatcher

White-throated Swallow

Spotted Dikkop

Capped Wheatear

Black-crowned Tchagra

Pied Crow

Ostrich

African Black Duck

Cape Grassbird

Capped Wheatear

Willow Warbler

Ostrich

Bokmakierie

Cattle Egret

Northern Black Korhaan

Cape Grassbird

Ostrich Male

European Bee-eater

Rufous-naped Lark

Female Pin-tailed Whydah

Levaillant’s Cisticola

African Darter

Black-headed Heron

Malachite Kingfisher

Banded Martin

Yellow-billed Duck

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.

September ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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Except for one horrific cold front moving over the country over the Heritage Day long weekend we’ve enjoyed pleasant Spring weather and scenery at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve this September. Many plants are already in bloom and a green tinge is flushing over the moister parts of the reserve.

Sacred Ibises coming to roost

Island View at sunset

Rietvlei Dam at sunset

Black Locust Tree blooms

White Evening Primrose

Rietvlei scenery (photo by Joubert)

I expected that we might see some different birds at Rietvlei following the fires last month, as well as some early summer migrants, and on both scores I was not disappointed. The number of species I’ve now recorded at Rietvlei since February has swollen to 148.

Capped Wheatear

African Stonechat

Cape Longclaw

White-throated Swallow

Southern Pochard

Arrow-marked Babbler

Streaky-headed Seed-eater

White-throated Swallow

Ostrich male chasing female

Hadeda

Fiscal Shrike

African Spoonbill

African Stonechat

Cape Sparrow female (photo by Joubert)

Capped Wheatear (photo by Joubert)

Swainson’s Spurfowl (photo by Joubert)

Swainson’s Spurfowl

Yellow-billed Ducks

Spur-winged Geese

Wattled Lapwing

African Snipe

Male Ostrich

Female Ostrich

Sacred Ibises

Spotted Dikkop

Black Heron

Grey-headed Gull

Blue-billed Teal

Long-tailed Widowbird

Ostrich Toe & Nail

I recorded 19 species of mammals during the month of September, most of any month since I joined the reserve’s guiding staff on a freelance basis. No doubt the denuded state of the vegetation so long after the rainy season and the areas opened up by veld fires have aided this. It was also nice to see some reptiles again, the warm spring weather must have woken them from their slumber.

Black-backed Jackal

Buffalo

Eland

Eland herd on the run

Eland Bull (photo by Joubert)

Eland Bulls

Black Wildebeest

Black Wildebeest (photo by Joubert)

Bushpig (photo by Joubert)

Red Hartebeest

Yellow Mongoose

Plains Zebra

Waterbuck cows

Water Monitor

Flap-necked Chameleon

Our inaugural “introduction to wildlife photography” course presented in conjunction with Hannes Rossouw Photography early in the month was another highlight and we hope to offer another session before the year is done. Let me know if you’d be interested in receiving more information!

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei in September 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
Microchiroptera	Insekvretende vlermuis (spesie onbekend)	Insect-eating bat (species unknown)
Potamochoerus larvatus	Bosvark	Bushpig
Raphicerus campestris	Steenbok	Steenbok
Suricata suricatta	Meerkat	Suricate
Sylvicapra grimmia	Grysduiker	Common Duiker
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

List of birds seen at Rietvlei during September 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
Amblyospiza albifrons	Dikbekwewer	Thick-billed Weaver
Anas sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Apus barbatus	Swartwindswael	African Black 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
Charadrius tricollaris	Driebandstrandkiewiet	Three-banded Plover
Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus	Gryskopmeeu	Grey-headed Gull
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Columba guinea	Kransduif	Speckled Pigeon
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Crithagra gularis	Streepkopkanarie	Streaky-headed Seedeater
Cypsiurus parvus	Palmwindswael	African Palm Swift
Dendropicos fuscescens	Kardinaalspeg	Cardinal Woodpecker
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 ardens	Rooikeelflap	Red-collared Widowbird
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Hirundo albigularis	Witkeelswael	White-throated Swallow
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Kleinglansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lybius torquatus	Rooikophoutkapper	Black-collared Barbet
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
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
Oenanthe pileata	Hoeveldskaapwagter	Capped Wheatear
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
Platalea alba	Lepelaar	African Spoonbill
Plectropterus gambensis	Wildemakou	Spur-winged Goose
Plegadis falcinellus	Glansibis	Glossy Ibis
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparkiet	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
Scleroptila gutturalis	Kalaharipatrys	Orange River Francolin
Scopus umbretta	Hamerkop	Hamerkop
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Spatula hottentota	Gevlekte Eend	Blue-billed Teal
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
Upupa africana	Hoephoep	African Hoopoe
Vanellus armatus	Bontkiewiet	Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus coronatus	Kroonkiewiet	Crowned Lapwing
Vanellus senegallus	Lelkiewiet	Wattled Lapwing
Vidua macroura	Koningrooibekkie	Pin-tailed Whydah
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.

August ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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I can’t believe how quickly August has flown past but I am very grateful that tomorrow represents the start of the Spring season in South Africa!

It’s time for another update from our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve where I’ve guided several drives this past month. Early in the month the reserve suffered a terrible fire that started along a public road on its eastern border and was then pushed into the reserve by a strong wind. Thankfully no infrastructure was damaged and no animals killed, and the grasslands of the highveld are very resilient to fire – already the green growth is sprouting!

Shortly after the fire we found this African Hoopoe searching for charred insects, with some success!

African Hoopoe searching for burned insects on charred grassland

The warmer weather has encouraged mating behaviour in the reserve’s Ostriches and we’ll have a boom in their population pretty soon!

Ostrich male “dancing” for the female

The female relents…

Mating ostriches

Rietvlei’s bird population as always provided wonderful viewing and photography opportunities. I ticked 83 species in August.

African Snipe

Bokmakierie

Cape Longclaw

Capped Wheatear

Common Moorhen

Common Dikkop (aka Thick-knee)

Crimson-breasted Shrike

Crowned Lapwing

Crowned Lapwings and Pied Starlings at an ants nest

Karoo Thrush

Levaillant’s Cisticola

Long-tailed Widowbird

Ostrich face

Reed Cormorant

Rufous-naped Lark

Southern Red Bishop

Southern Red Bishop female

Southern Boubou

Speckled Mousebirds

Swainson’s Spurfowl

Wattled Lapwing

The fact that Rietvlei sustains healthy populations of large African mammals within sight of the capital city’s southern suburbs is a wonderful boon to residents of Pretoria and surrounding towns and cities.

Blesbok

Buffalo family

Buffalo cow

Eland

Red Hartebeest

Black-backed Jackal

Slender Mongoose

Spotted-necked Otter

White Rhinos walking in the road

White Rhinoceros ear

White Rhinoceros tail

Waterbuck

Black Wildebeest

Plains Zebra and Blesbok

Plains Zebra foal

Along with Hannes Rossouw Photography we’re presenting an introductory wildlife photography session for new photographers early in September at Rietvlei and interest has been so healthy that we’ll soon organise another session or two – get in touch if you’d like to be added to the mailing list!

List of mammals I’ve seen on Rietvlei in August 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
Hydrictis maculicollis	Kleinotter	Spotted-necked Otter
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

List of birds I’ve seen on Rietvlei in August 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Accipiter ovampensis	Ovambosperwer	Ovambo Sparrowhawk
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
Anas sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Asio capensis	Vlei-uil	Marsh Owl
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Certhilauda semitorquata	Grasveldlangbeklewerik	Eastern Long-billed Lark
Ceryle rudis	Bontvisvanger	Pied Kingfisher
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Curruca subcoerulea	Bosveldtjeriktik	Chestnut-vented Warbler
Dendropicos fuscescens	Kardinaalspeg	Cardinal Woodpecker
Dessonornis caffer	Gewone Janfrederik	Cape Robin-Chat
Elanus caeruleus	Blouvalk	Black-winged Kite
Estrilda astrild	Rooibeksysie	Common Waxbill
Euplectes ardens	Rooikeelflap	Red-collared Widowbird
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Falco peregrinus	Swerfvalk	Peregrine Falcon
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Halcyon albiventris	Bruinkopvisvanger	Brown-hooded Kingfisher
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Kleinglansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
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	Reusevisvanger	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
Oenanthe pileata	Hoeveldskaapwagter	Capped Wheatear
Passer diffusus	Gryskopmossie	Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
Passer domesticus	Huismossie	House Sparrow
Passer melanurus	Gewone Mossie	Cape Sparrow
Phalacrocorax lucidus	Witborsduiker	White-breasted Cormorant
Phoeniculus purpureus	Rooibekkakelaar	Green Wood-hoopoe
Platalea alba	Lepelaar	African Spoonbill
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparkiet	Rose-ringed Parakeet
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Riparia paludicola	Afrikaanse Oewerswael	Brown-throated Martin
Sagittarius serpentarius	Sekretarisvoel	Secretarybird
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Scopus umbretta	Hamerkop	Hamerkop
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Spilopelia senegalensis	Rooiborsduifie	Laughing Dove
Stenostira scita	Feevlieevanger	Fairy Flycatcher
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
Trachyphonus vaillantii	Kuifkophoutkapper	Crested Barbet
Turdoides jardineii	Pylvlekkatlagter	Arrow-marked Babbler
Turdus smithi	Geelbeklyster	Karoo Thrush
Upupa africana	Hoephoep	African Hoopoe
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.

July ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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As I was away on other tours for most of June I didn’t spend enough time at our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve to warrant a month-end update from there at the end of last month, but having now spent quite a bit more time guiding guests on drives and walks through Rietvlei this past month there’s lots to share since the previous update at the end of May. Winter’s cold has really gotten its claws into Rietvlei now – we measured a minimum temperature of -10°C (14°F) at one of the river crossings at sunrise one morning! It was therefore really surprising to see the cold blooded Nile Monitor Lizards still out and about and not hibernating. The deciduous trees have lost their leaves and the grass is now dry and brown and much thinner, making game-viewing a lot easier.

Nile Monitor

Buffaloes striding through the shallow water of Marais Dam

Rietvlei’s birds are always a treat, even when some of them sport frosty plumage in the early mornings – check the back of the wattled lapwing in this gallery! The count of bird species seen during our July drives and walks tallied to 79 (there’s a complete list at the end of this post) but, with the male Long-tailed Widowbirds starting to cultivate their summer finery already, that list should start expanding in the next month of two as the summer visitors arrive.

Arrow-marked Babbler

Reed Cormorant

White-breasted Cormorant colony

White-breasted Cormorant

Red-knobbed Coots

Black Crake

Red-eyed Dove

African Black Duck (photo by Joubert)

Yellow-billed Duck

Yellow-billed Duck at sunrise

African Fish Eagle

Bokmakierie

Common Fiscal

Egyptian Goose

Little Grebe (photo by Joubert)

Pied Kingfisher

Helmeted Guineafowl

Sacred Ibis

Black-winged Kite (photo by Joubert)

Black-winged Kite

Northern Black Korhaan male

Northern Black Korhaan female

African Wattled Lapwing covered in frost

Cape Longclaw

Common Moorhens

Common Moorhen

Common Moorhen (photo by Joubert)

Neddicky

Ostrich head

Ostrich feathers (female)(photo by Joubert)

Ostrich foot

Southern Pochards

Southern Pochard

South African Shelducks

Cape Sparrow (female)

Cape Robin-Chat

Swainson’s Spurfowl

African Swamphen

Spotted Thick-knee

Cape Wagtail

African Reed Warbler (photo by Joubert)

African Reed Warbler

Long-tailed Widowbird

Male Long-tailed Widowbird starting to sprout his summer plumage

These Pied Starlings using a White Rhino bull as a catwalk for showing off was a rather amusing sighting!

Pied Starlings on their Rhino catwalk

As per usual Rietvlei was not going to disappoint us when it comes to the game-viewing experience!

Cape Buffalo

Curious Buffalo

Cape Buffalo

Eland

Red Hartebeest at sunrise

Hippo

Black-backed Jackal

Black-backed Jackal soaking up the first rays of the morning

Slender Mongoose

Yellow Mongoose

Serval walking away

Springbok

Waterbuck

Black Wildebeest

Black Wildebeest carcass – perhaps fell prey to the cheetah?

Plains Zebra

List of birds I’ve seen at Rietvlei during June and July 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
Amblyospiza albifrons	Dikbekwewer	Thick-billed Weaver
Anas capensis	Teeleend	Cape Teal
Anas erythrorhyncha	Rooibekeend	Red-billed Teal
Anas sparsa	Swarteend	African Black Duck
Anas undulata	Geelbekeend	Yellow-billed Duck
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Bostrychia hagedash	Hadeda	Hadeda Ibis
Burhinus capensis	Gewone Dikkop	Spotted Thick-knee
Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus	Gryskopmeeu	Grey-headed Gull
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola fulvicapilla	Neddikkie	Neddicky
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Colius striatus	Gevlekte Muisvoel	Speckled Mousebird
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Curruca subcoerulea	Bosveldtjeriktik	Chestnut-vented Warbler
Dendropicos fuscescens	Kardinaalspeg	Cardinal Woodpecker
Dessonornis caffer	Gewone Janfrederik	Cape Robin-Chat
Dicrurus adsimilis	Mikstertbyvanger	Fork-tailed Drongo
Dryoscopus cubla	Sneeubal	Black-backed Puffback
Elanus caeruleus	Blouvalk	Black-winged Kite
Estrilda astrild	Rooibeksysie	Common Waxbill
Euplectes orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
Falco peregrinus	Swerfvalk	Peregrine Falcon
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Klein Glansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
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
Oena capensis	Namakwaduifie	Namaqua Dove
Passer diffusus	Gryskopmossie	Southern Grey-headed Sparrow
Passer melanurus	Gewone Mossie	Cape Sparrow
Phalacrocorax lucidus	Witborsduiker	White-breasted Cormorant
Plectropterus gambensis	Wildemakou	Spur-winged Goose
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Porphyrio madagascariensis	Grootkoningriethaan	African Swamphen
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparkiet	Rose-ringed Parakeet
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Scleroptila gutturalis	Kalaharipatrys	Orange River Francolin
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Spatula hottentota	Gevlekte Eend	Blue-billed Teal
Spatula smithii	Kaapse Slopeend	Cape Shoveler
Sphenoeacus afer	Grasvoel	Cape Grassbird
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
Trachyphonus vaillantii	Kuifkophoutkapper	Crested Barbet
Turdoides jardineii	Pylvlekkatlagter	Arrow-marked Babbler
Urocolius indicus	Rooiwangmuisvoel	Red-faced Mousebird
Vanellus armatus	Bontkiewiet	Blacksmith Lapwing
Vanellus coronatus	Kroonkiewiet	Crowned Lapwing
Vanellus senegallus	Lelkiewiet	Wattled Lapwing
Zapornia flavirostra	Swartriethaan	Black Crake
Zosterops virens	Kaapse Glasogie	Cape White-eye

List of mammals I’ve seen at Rietvlei during June and July 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
Kobus ellipsyprymnus	Waterbok	Waterbuck
Leptailurus serval	Tierboskat	Serval
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

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.

May ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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Another month of guiding guests visiting our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve has passed, and with temperatures at sunrise now touching the 0°C mark near the water and the grass slowly turning brown and less dense there’s no denying that winter is upon us in our corner of the southern hemisphere. Sightings have been excellent as usual and I’ve had some thoroughly entertaining and very memorable drives with my guests.

A quiet corner of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Autumn colours in Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Phragmites Reeds thrive at Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Grass influorescence

Doll’s Protea is in fact a member of the daisy family, despite its resemblance to protea flowers

Female Giant Mantis / Common Green Mantis

Green Milkweed Locust

Painted Lady Butterfly

Brown-veined White Butterfly

Grasshopper of the family Pamphagidae

Nile Monitor

Puff Adder

Rietvlei sunrise

Island View on a misty may morning (photo by Joubert)

We managed to identify 94 bird species while out on guided drives this past month.

African Black Duck

African Darter (photo by Joubert)

Immature African Fish Eagle

African Pipit

African Reed Warbler (photo by Joubert)

African Snipe (photo by Joubert)

African Stonechat

African Stonechat female

African Wattled Lapwing (photo by Joubert)

Black-chested Snake Eagle (photo by Joubert)

Immature Black-chested Snake Eagle (photo by Joubert)

Immature Black-chested Snake Eagle in flight (photo by Joubert)

Blacksmith Lapwing

Black-winged Kite

Buffy Pipit

Cape Longclaw (photo by Joubert)

Cape Sparrow (male)

Cape Wagtail

Cattle Egret

Chestnut-vented Warbler

Common Fiscal

Common Moorhen

Common Waxbills

Crowned Lapwing (photo by Joubert)

Greater Flamingoes

Green-backed Heron (photo by Joubert)

Grey Go-away-bird

Helmeted Guineafowl

Levaillant’s Cisticola

Little Grebe (photo by Joubert)

Long-tailed Widowbird (non-breeding)

Northern Black Korhaan male

Northern Black Korhaan pair

Northern Black Korhaan female

Orange River Francolin

Ostrich at sunrise

Ostriches at sunset

Red-billed Teal

Red Bishop

Red-throated Wryneck

Reed Cormorant

Secretary Bird (photo by Joubert)

Swainson’s Spurfowl

Tawny-flanked Prinia

White-breasted Cormorant

Yellow-billed Ducks

Yellow-billed Ducks (photo by Joubert)

And most of the mammals also played along nicely, although the resident cheetah kept herself well hidden!

Blesbok

Buffalo Calf

Buffalo Bull

Buffalo Cow

Buffalo cow

Buffalo Bull

Buffaloes fighting

Common Duiker

Eland

Eland herd (photo by Joubert)

Red Hartebeest

Black-backed Jackal

Slender Mongoose (photo by Joubert)

Yellow Mongoose

Spotted-necked Otters

Waterbuck bull

Waterbuck cow and calves

Black Wildebeest

Plains Zebra

List of birds seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during May 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
Anhinga rufa	Slanghalsvoel	African Darter
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Anthus vaalensis	Vaalkoester	Buffy Pipit
Apus barbatus	Swartwindswael	African Black Swift
Ardea melanocephala	Swartkopreier	Black-headed Heron
Ardeola ralloides	Ralreier	Squacco Heron
Asio capensis	Vlei-uil	Marsh Owl
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
Calendulauda sabota	Sabota Lewerik	Sabota Lark
Cecropis cucullata	Grootstreepswael	Greater Striped Swallow
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vleiloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Chalcomitra amethystina	Swartsuikerbekkie	Amethyst Sunbird
Circaetus pectoralis	Swartborsslangarend	Black-chested Snake Eagle
Cisticola juncidis	Landeryklopkloppie	Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola tinniens	Vleitinktinkie	Levaillant’s Cisticola
Corvus albus	Witborskraai	Pied Cow
Corythornis cristatus	Kuifkopvisvanger	Malachite Kingfisher
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Crithagra mozambica	Geeloogkanarie	Yellow-fronted Canary
Curruca subcoerulea	Bosveldtjeriktik	Chestnut-vented Warbler
Dendropicos fuscescens	Kardinaalspeg	Cardinal Woodpecker
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 orix	Rooivink	Southern Red Bishop
Euplectes progne	Langstertflap	Longtailed Widowbird
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
Glaucidium perlatum	Witkoluiltjie	Pearl-spotted Owlet
Icthyophaga vocifer	Visarend	Fish Eagle
Jynx ruficollis	Draaihals	Red-throated Wryneck
Lamprotornis bicolor	Witgatspreeu	Pied Starling
Lamprotornis nitens	Klein Glansspreeu	Cape Glossy Starling
Laniarius atrococcineus	Rooiborslaksman	Crimson-breasted Shrike
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lophaetus occipitalis	Langkuifarend	Long-crested Eagle
Lophoceros nasutus	Grysneushoringvoel	African Grey Hornbill
Lybius torquatus	Rooikophoutkapper	Black-collared Barbet
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
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
Phoenicopterus roseus	Grootflamink	Greater Flamingo
Phoeniculus purpureus	Rooibekkakelaar	Green Wood-hoopoe
Plectropterus gambensis	Wildemakou	Spur-winged Goose
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparkiet	Rose-ringed Parakeet
Pternistis swainsonii	Bosveldfisant	Swainson’s Spurfowl
Pycnonotus tricolor	Swartoogtiptol	Dark-capped Bulbul
Sagittarius serpentarius	Sekretarisvoel	Secretarybird
Saxicola torquatus	Gewone Bontrokkie	African Stonechat
Scleroptila gutturalis	Kalaharipatrys	Orange River Francolin
Scopus umbretta	Hamerkop	Hamerkop
Sigelus silens	Fiskaalvlieevanger	Fiscal Flycatcher
Sphenoeacus afer	Grasvoel	Cape Grassbird
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
Tachymarptis melba	Witpenswindswael	Alpine Swift
Telophorus zeylonus	Bokmakierie	Bokmakierie
Threskiornis aethiopicus	Skoorsteenveer	African Sacred Ibis
Turdoides jardineii	Pylvlekkatlagter	Arrow-marked Babbler
Turdus smithi	Geelbeklyster	Karoo Thrush
Upupa africana	Hoephoep	African Hoopoe
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

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during May 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
Sylvicapra grimmia	Grysduiker	Common Duiker
Syncerus caffer	Buffel	Cape Buffalo
Taurotragus oryx	Eland	Eland

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.