One of the best unknown birding spots in Gauteng.

In the Valley

Just north of Bronkhorstspruit lies a little dirt road which has become to be known as the Wilge River Valley road. Although it is only about 20km’s long , it travels through a wide range of habitats ranging from Wetlands, Bushveld ,Broadleaf Woodland, Forest patches and farm lands.

Relatively unknown and only starting to gain popularity recently it is by far one of the best birding spots within Gauteng. Not only does it have a big variety of species, which is great for Big Birding Day totals, but it is actually the number of specials and rarities that one may find on this road that has made it popular.

Turning into the road one drives by a large open typical Highveld grassland area and farm lands on the other side. If early enough one might be lucky to spot Marsh Owl or even Grass Owl. During summer Red Breasted Swallows, Barn Swallows and White Throated Swallows are all very common.

The real exciting birding starts as you descend down into the gorge where you have a very scenic view of the valley. Being here early in summer is well worth it, as the morning chorus is spectacular. Black, Red Chested and Diderick Cuckoo can all be heard echoing in the valley. Spotted Eagle Owl and Fiery Necked Night Jar may also be found here early in the morning.

Driving along the road, typical Woodland makes up most of the habitat and one can expect to find the following with relative ease:

Mocking Cliff Chat, Yellow Canary, Familiar Chat, Black Headed Oriole, Red Headed Weaver, Bar Throated Apalis, White Browed and Cape Robin Chat, Blue Waxbill, African Firefinch, Rattling Cisticola, White Bellied Sunbird, Black Cuckooshrike, White Fronted Bee-Eaters, Spotted, Fiscal and if lucky Pale Flycatchers.

More elusive species like the Green Capped Eremomela, Dark-Capped yellow Warbler and Cape Grassbird can be found.

Watch the skies above for Yellow Billed Kites, Steppe Buzzard, Brown  Snake Eagle, Lanner Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Verraux’s Eagle and Long Crested Eagle.

Once you get to the end of the cliffs, the habitat changes with more farm lands and alien trees dominating for a couple of Km’s. During this drive lookout out for possible Sparrowhawks. Francolins such as the Shelley’s, Coqui and Orange River Francolin can be found. Also a very good spot for Larks and Pipits that forage on the farm lands especially African Pipit and Rufous Naped Larks which are very common.

Reaching the low level bridge that crosses the Wilge River, one can expect to find Pied Wagtails, Malachite Kingfishers, Weavers and if very lucky African Finfoot, that has been found here.

Once again you find yourself in mixed woodland and typical bushveld habitat, and one can lookout for:

Black Cuckooshrike, Grey Headed and Orange Breasted Bush-Shrike, Brown Headed Kingfishers, Striped Kingfisher, Grey billed Hornbills, Green Woodhoopoe, Black Backed Puffback, Chinspot Batis, Brubru, Voilet backed Starling (summer), Grey Tit Flycatcher, Southern Black Flycatcher, Southern Black Tit and Cape Weavers.

Passing some Farmlands again be sure to look out for White , Yellow Billed and Abdims Storks. Ground Scraper Thrush and White Fronted Bee-Eaters are also quite common here in Summer.

The area is still quite unknown and it might hold many more specials waiting to be found. One could also combine the Wilge River with nearby sites such as Ezemvelo and Vlaklaagte where the Grassland birding is at its best. Montagu and Pallid Harrier, Barrow and Blue Korhaans are some of the specials to be found here.

Happy Birding.

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