Tag Archives: Rietvlei Nature Reserve

May ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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.

April ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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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.

March ’24 update from Rietvlei Nature Reserve

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Since late February I’ve been guiding hiking groups and game drives in our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve on a freelance basis. Regular readers of our blog will know that we are rather fond of Rietvlei, so it is especially rewarding to be showcasing this special reserve in this way. I thought I might start doing a monthly round-up of what Rietvlei revealed while I explored it with my guests (assisted by Joubert who accompanied me on several of the trips).

Storm clouds building up over Rietvlei

A quiet corner of Rietvlei Dam

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

An exotic fruit tree with a very pronounced browsing line!

Black Wildebeest, Plains Zebra and Eland share a hillside in Rietvlei

Black Wildebeest, Plains Zebra and Blesbok share a hillside in Rietvlei

Big herd of Eland

Green Milkweed Locust nymphs

Green Milkweed Locust

Red-veined Dropwing Dragonfly

Blue Pansy Butterfly

Broad-bordered Grass Yellow

African Leopard Butterfly

Black-tipped Acraea

Sandman Butterfly

Natal Acraea

Spotted Joker

Sooty Blue / African Grass Blue butterfly

Common Hottentot Skipper (male)

Long-tailed Blue Butterfly

Honey Bee on a Verbena flower

Sharptooth Catfish feeding on duckweed (photo by Joubert)

Nile Monitor

Speckled Rock Skink

Baby Speckled Rock Skink

Leopard Tortoise

All counted I managed to see and identify 111 species of birds at Rietvlei in the month of March, including a couple of summer visitors that will soon depart for warmer climes. You can find the complete list at the end of this post.

European Bee-eaters

Red Bishop male

Red Bishop female

Bokmakierie

Dark-capped Bulbul

Zitting Cisticola

Reed Cormorant

Diederik Cuckoo

African Black Duck

Carolina Wood Duck male in eclipse plumage

Carolina Wood Duck female (photo by Joubert)

Yellow-billed Duck

Yellow-billed Ducks

Black-chested Snake Eagle

Long-crested Eagle

Cattle Egret

Peregrine Falcon

Cuckoo Finch male

Spotted Flycatcher

Cape Grassbird

Helmeted Guineafowl chick (photo by Joubert)

Black-headed Heron

Green-backed Heron

Giant Kingfisher

Malachite Kingfisher

Northern Black Korhaan male

Eastern Long-billed Lark

Rufous-naped Lark

Blacksmith Lapwing

Crowned Lapwing

African Wattled Lapwing

Cape Longclaws

Cape Longclaw

Common Moorhen

Speckled Mousebird

Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron

Ostrich face

Ostriches

Marsh Owl

Southern Pochard female

Southern Pochards

Southern Pochard (photo by Joubert)

Common Fiscal

Crimson-breasted Shrike

Swainson’s Spurfowl

Pied Starlings pecking flies from the back of a rhino

Pied Starling

African Stonechat female

African Stonechat

White-throated Swallow

Red-billed Teals

Spotted Thick-knee

Cape Wagtail

Willow Warbler

Common Waxbills

Pin-tailed Whydah

Red-throated Wryneck

A recently independent Black-chested Snake Eagle has put on some amazing displays.

Immature Black-chested Snake Eagle

The males of various kinds of widow-birds were still displaying in their feathery finery early in the month, desperately trying to mate with as many females as possible before the end of the summer breeding season. By the end of the month they were rapidly transitioning into their drabber winter garb.

White-winged Widowbird

Long-tailed Widowbird

Long-tailed Widowbird female

Long-tailed Widowbird

Long-tailed Widowbird having lost much of its breeding plumage (photo by Joubert)

The biggest birding highlight of the month for me was my first ever sighting of an Orange River Francolin, taking my tally to 611 species of bird seen in South Africa.

At the end of the summer season Rietvlei’s mammals are in excellent condition and during the month of March I recorded 16 species. The tall grass made it difficult to spot the smaller species though and the list might grow as we progress through autumn and winter.

Black-backed Jackal

Black-backed Jackals

Black Wildebeest

Blesbok

Buffalo calf

Buffalo family

Buffalo calf

Buffalo bull

Buffalo cows and calf

Buffalo bull

Buffalo cow

Buffalo bull

Cheetah

Eland

For their size eland are remarkable jumpers!

Hippopotamus

Red Hartebeest

Waterbuck

Plains Zebra

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 March 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Acridotheres tristis	Indiese Spreeu	Common Myna
Acrocephalus gracilirostris	Kaapse Rietsanger	Lesser Swamp Warbler
Afrotis afraoides	Witvlerkkorhaan	Northern Black Korhaan
Aix sponsa	Carolina Eend	Wood Duck
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
Anomalospiza imberbis	Koekoekvink	Cuckoo-Finch
Anthus cinnamomeus	Gewone Koester	African Pipit
Apus apus	Europese Windswael	Common 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
Calendulauda sabota	Sabota Lewerik	Sabota Lark
Caprimulgus pectoralis	Afrikaanse Naguil	Fiery-necked Nightjar
Cecropis cucullata	Grootstreepswael	Greater Striped Swallow
Centropus burchellii	Gewone Vlieloerie	Burchell’s Coucal
Certhilauda semitorquata	Grasveldlangbeklewerik	Eastern Long-billed Lark
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 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
Coturnix coturnix	Afrikaanse Kwartel	Common Quail
Crinifer concolor	Kwevoel	Grey Go-Away Bird
Crithagra gularis	Streepkopkanarie	Streaky-headed Seedeater
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 afer	Goudgeelvink	Yellow-crowned Bishop
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
Fulica cristata	Bleshoender	Red-knobbed Coot
Gallinago nigripennis	Afrikaanse Snip	African Snipe
Gallinula chloropus	Grootwaterhoender	Common Moorhen
Glaucidium perlatum	Witkoluiltjie	Pearl-spotted Owlet
Hirundo albigularis	Witkeelswael	White-throated Swallow
Hirundo rustica	Huisswael	Barn Swallow
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
Laniarius ferrugineus	Suidelike Waterfiskaal	Southern Boubou
Lanius collaris	Fiskaallaksman	Common Fiscal
Lanius minor	Gryslaksman	Lesser Grey Shrike
Lophaetus occipitalis	Langkuifarend	Long-crested Eagle
Lybius torquatus	Rooikophoutkapper	Black-collared Barbet
Macronyx capensis	Oranjekeel Kalkoentjie	Cape Longclaw
Megaceryle maxima	Reuse Visvanger	Giant Kingfisher
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
Netta erythrophthalma	Bruineend	Southern Pochard
Numida meleagris	Gewone Tarentaal	Helmeted Guineafowl
Nycticorax nycticorax	Gewone Nagreier	Black-crowned Night Heron
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
Plectropterus gambensis	Wildemakou	Spur-winged Goose
Ploceus velatus	Swartkeelgeelvink	Southern Masked Weaver
Prinia flavicans	Swartbandlangstertjie	Black-chested Prinia
Prinia subflava	Bruinsylangstertjie	Tawny-flanked Prinia
Psittacula krameri	Ringnekparakiet	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
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
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
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

List of mammals seen at Rietvlei Nature Reserve during March 2024:

Scientific	Afrikaans	English
Acinonyx jubatus	Jagluiperd	Cheetah
Alcelaphus buselaphus	Rooihartbees	Red Hartebeest
Antidorcas marsupialis	Springbok	Springbuck
Canis mesomelas	Rooijakkals	Black-backed Jackal
Ceratotherium simum	Witrenoster	White Rhinoceros
Chlorocebus pygerythrus	Blouaap	Vervet Monkey
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

The school is on the move!

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During a visit in November to Rietvlei Nature Reserve on Pretoria’s outskirts, along with friend and colleague Hannes Rossouw, we were treated to the show of hundreds of Sharptooth Catfish trying to move upstream following a good downpour the day before. What an amazing spectacle it was!

Sharptooth Catfish moving upstream in the Rietvlei Nature Reserve

The reason why they’re moving upstream is to mate and lay eggs in newly inundated areas. These catfish were videoed at the Marais Dam in the reserve, vying for mating rights and the best spots to lay and fertilise their eggs.

Remember that I am available to escort you on a guided tour of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve when you visit Pretoria, and that Hannes will gladly accompany us if you’re looking for tips from an expert wildlife photography tutor!

Rietvlei on a winter’s day

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Just some photographs from a serene Sunday spent in our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve yesterday.

Sunrise over Marais Dam in Rietvlei Nature Reserve

African Stonechat male

Massive White Rhino bull

Long-tailed Widowbird male in transitional plumage

African Black Duck in flight

Yellow Mongoose on a trot

Cape Glossy Starling

Arrow-marked Babbler

Blacksmith Lapwing

Fiscal Flycatcher

Male ostrich

Buffaloes on the move

Portrait of a buffalo cow.

Plains Zebra

Blesbok in a hurry

Resting buffaloes

Thirsty buffalo calf

Helmeted Guineafowl

Eland youngsters

Male ostrich eyeing us from above

Winter scenery at Rietvlei Nature Reserve

Cape Longclaw

Common Moorhen

This buffalo bull watched us walking nervously between our vehicle and the Island View hide

Red Hartebeest

Capped Wheatear

Black Wildebeest trio

Respite from the pandemic; Rietvlei 18 June 2020

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Early morning sunshine over Rietvlei

Strongly flowing stream feeding the Rietvlei Dam

Winter scenery at Rietvlei

Under South Africa’s current “COVID-19 lockdown restrictions” our nature reserves and national parks are allowed to open their gates to local day visitors, and so Joubert and I used the opportunity to visit Pretoria’s Rietvlei Nature Reserve this past week (Marilize is back at work at the local Primary School). It was our first time out in natural surroundings since our visit to the Royal Natal Park in March and, despite all the new formalities of temperature checks and health declarations at the entrance and the constant aggravation of face masks fogging up the lenses of my glasses in the crisp winter’s air, still an experience to be treasured – perhaps even more so now that it is clear how easily freedoms like these are forfeited in a time of crisis. Being just 13km from our home and surrounded by development in South Africa’s most industrialised province, it is easy to underestimate the value of Rietvlei as a place where tired souls can find a temporary reprieve from the onslaught of seemingly ever escalating bad news.

African Pipit

African Stone-chat (photo by Joubert)

Ant-eating Chat

Black Wildebeest

Black-backed Jackal

Blesbok

Burchell’s Coucal (photo by Joubert)

Cape Glossy Starling

Cattle Egret

Crimson-breasted Shrike (photo by Joubert)

Crowned Lapwing

Egyptian Geese

Eland in the long, dry grass

Eland

Fiscal Shrike

Fork-tailed Drongo

Cape Grassbird

Hadeda Ibis

Helmeted Guineafowl

Long-tailed Widowbird female

Marsh Owl in flight (photo by Joubert)

Curious Meerkat

Common Moorhen and almost fully grown chick

Neddicky

Cape Longclaw

Ostrich male

Ostrich close-up

Pied Starling

Red Bishop in winter plumage

Red Hartebeest

Reed Cormorant

Rufous-naped Lark

Slender Mongoose

Speckled Mousebirds

Springbok and Blesbok mixing

Swainson’s Spurfowl

African Reed Warbler

Waterbuck

Wattled Lapwing

Southern Masked Weaver in winter plumage

White Rhino herd (their horns have been removed to protect against poachers)

White Rhinoceros

White Rhinoceros (its horns have been removed to protect against poachers)

White-breasted Cormorant

Yellow-billed Duck

Birthday outing to Rietvlei

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This past weekend saw us, accompanied by good friends and close family, heading to our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve to celebrate Joubert’s tenth birthday. The highlight of the day for Joubert and his mates was a tour to Rietvlei’s lions, with the birthday boy getting the seat of honour next to the very knowledgeable ranger-guide.

White Rhino Bull (horns humanely removed to deter poachers)

Cormorant colony at Rietvlei Dam (photo by Joubert)

Reed Cormorant in flight

African Wattled Lapwing

Crowned Lapwing

Blacksmith Lapwing

Waterbuck bull

Swainson’s Spurfowl

Rufous-naped Lark in full song

Rose-ringed Parakeet – these exotics seem to have become established in the reserve.

Red Hartebeest with an itch

Two very dusty zebras (photo by Joubert)

Male ostrich

Immature Dabchick

Lazy lioness (photo by Joubert)

Lioness

Rietvlei’s lions live a life of leisure

Groundscraper Thrush

Grey Go-away Bird

Green, or Red-billed, Wood-Hoopoe

Fork-tailed Drongo

Eland herd

Egyptian Goose

Crimson-breasted Shrike

Common Moorhen

Spotted Dikkop (Spotted Thick-knee)

Cape Longclaw

Buffalo

Blesbok

Black Wildebeest (photo by Joubert)

African Stonechat (photo by Joubert)

African Stonechat male

10 years old: August 2019. Joubert at Rietvlei Nature Reserve celebrating his 10th birthday party

Very special birthday cake

All aboard the safari vehicle!

10 years old: August 2019. Joubert sitting next to the ranger-guide on a tour to see Rietvlei’s lions

Celebrating our natural heritage

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It is the Heritage Day long weekend in South Africa, and yesterday we packed the Duster with picnic baskets and grandparents and set out for a most enjoyable morning at our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve. Large sections of the reserve have recently received management burns to clear moribund grass cover (fire being an essential component of Africa’s grassland and savanna landscapes), and the first spring rains have spurred the growth of new grass, attracting a wide range of birds and animals to these areas.

Reed Cormorant

Cattle Egret

Reed Cormorant

Yellow Mongoose

Yellow Mongoose being chased by a Capped Wheatear

Black-backed Jackal

Crowned Lapwing

Yellow-billed Ducks

Red Hartebeest

Long-tailed Widowbird (female)

Spotted Thick-knee

Buffy Pipit

Spur-winged Geese

Ostrich

Hadeda

Capped Wheatear

Blesbok

Lesser Swamp Warbler

Eland

White Rhinoceros

Black Wildebeest

Plains Zebra

Red Hartebeest

Blesbok lying on their path

Birthday celebrations at Rietvlei

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Yesterday we celebrated Joubert’s ninth birthday at our local Rietvlei Nature Reserve, just a few kilometers from home. Combining family and friends, wildlife, photography, a picnic and birthday cake just seems like the best way to celebrate the special day, don’t you agree?

African Reed Warbler

Black-backed Jackal

Black Wildebeest

Blesbok

Buffalo

Buffalo bull

Buffalo attraction

Buffalo horn

Buffalo with an itch

Capped Wheatear

Common Moorhens

Crowned Lapwing

Little Grebe

Eland Herd

Eland Bull

Fiscal Shrike

Grey-headed Sparrow

Groundscraper Thrush

Hadeda

9 Years old: August 2018. Celebrating his 9th birthday at Rietvlei Nature Reserve!

The Birthday Boy!

The Birthday Boy and his proud mom

The Birthday Boy and his friends ready to go visit the lions

Lion Jarvis

Lioness Bassie

Neddicky

Cape Longclaw

Ostrich

Pied Crow

Red-billed Teal

Red Hartebeest

Reed Cormorant

Speckled Pigeon fledgling

Springbok

Waterbuck bull

White Rhino discussion

White Rhinos causing a traffic jam

Yellow-billed Ducks

Plains Zebra on the move

Rietvlei is home to a small pride of lions housed in a 150-hectare enclosure in a corner of the reserve. Normally we wouldn’t support any “reserves” in which lions are kept in confined quarters nor any that offer “cub petting” as an attraction due to the very real possibility that these establishments are involved to a greater or lesser extent in the breeding of lions for the canned hunting and bone exporting business, despite their claims of “conservation” and “education”. Rietvlei’s lions however were rescued from exactly such circumstances, cannot be introduced to the wild and will live out their lives here. It was a special birthday treat for Joubert and his friends to visit Tau, Jarvis, Bassie and Tawane at their home.