Birding tips for iSimangaliso Wetland Park

iSimangaliso is one of those unusual places in Southern Africa where the birding is remarkable all year round. For the average recreational birder wanting to see the “specials” of the area, particularly the “east coast endemics”, birds such as Neergard’s Sunbird and Wooward’s Batis, which only occur in a handful of places around world, can be found relatively easily in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park any time of year.

The majority of the park’s sought after species are also resident, birds such as southern-banded snake eagle, Livingstone’s Turaco, Brown Scrub-Robin and Eastern Nicator are active and easily found throughout the year. For this reason the autumn months (although autumn is a relative concept in this neck of the woods) April, May and June are spectacular, simply because the weather is perfect for all day birding, there is generally very little wind and the days are warm, pleasant and most the birds remain active throughout the day.

In comparison, the summer months do provide for a few ‘extra’ migratory bird species, especially the more unusual waterbirds such as crab plovers and other exciting vagrant waders which have been recorded annually in the park from November to February. If it’s the more unusual waterbirds you are after, then the summer months are great. The downside to the summer months however is that the days are generally hot and humid which makes for difficult birding in the forests and savannahs as the birds are only active for short periods in the mornings and evenings.

So, best times to visit then would be autumn months if you want a casual birding experience to see the resident specials and the summer months if you are a more “hardened twitcher” looking for rare and unusual species.

There are also excellent and affordable community bird guides at most sites around iSimangaliso who can add a lot of value to your birding holiday!