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Birding
Province: Zululand
Route: Charter's Creek
Charter's Creek is situated on the western shores of Lake St. Lucia, and
within the Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park, a World Heritage Site. The
spot is a popular holiday destination for birders and fishermen, and the
reserve lends itself to relaxing birding. The reserve is controlled by KZN
Wildlife.
Directions
To get there; take the Charter's Creek/ Fanies Island turn-off from the N2
highway between Mtubatuba and Hluhluwe. The tar road takes one straight to
the reserve entrance, a further 13km from the N2 turn-off.
Accommodation
Various types of accommodation are available in the reserve, including
chalets, huts and camping facilities.
Birding Specials
Charter's Creek is well known for its beautiful coastal/ sand forest. The
best birding is done on the main road leading to the camp, on the two
walking trails in the reserve or on the lake shore itself. Over 300
species have been recorded from the reserve.
The two trails (Isikhova and Umkumbe) lead through some prime habitat.
Both trails are between 5 and 7km long, and it is best to start them early
in the morning when the birds are most active. Typical forest species such
as Lemon Dove, Green Pigeon, Purple-crested Turaco, Trumpeter Hornbill,
White-eared Barbet, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Black-headed Oriole,
Red-capped Robin-Chat, Eastern Nicator, Brown Scrub-Robin, Yellow-breasted
Apalis, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Gorgeous Bush Shrike and
Red-backed Mannikin occur alongside rarer or shyer species such as Narina
Trogon, African Broadbill, Grey Waxbill, Pink-throated Twinspot,
Neergard's Sunbird, Scaly-throated Honeyguide and Green Twinspot.
Grassland specials are less conspicuous, but birds such as Rosy-throated
Longclaw, Quailfinch, White-winged Widowbird, Pale-crowned Cisticola,
Senegal Lapwing, Black-rumped Buttonquail and Black-bellied Bustard have
been recorded.
Wetland specials that could be seen include the ever-present African Fish
Eagle, Woolly-necked Stork, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Burchell's and Black
Coucals, Collared Pratincole, Painted Snipe, Goliath Heron and a host of
waders, terns, egrets, ducks, pelicans and flamingos.
Other raptors that could be seen include Long-crested Eagle, Crowned
Eagle, African Marsh Harrier, Little Sparrowhawk, Osprey and Southern
Banded Snake Eagle.
Other points of interest
Guided boat cruises are available on the lake. An information booklet is
available for the two trails. Mammals include the shy Red Duiker, Suni,
Bushbuck, Samango Monkey and plenty of hippos and crocs in the lake.
By Duncan McKenzie
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IN THE AREA:
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES
RECOMMENDED ATTRACTIONS
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS
RECOMMENDED BIRDING GUIDES
RECOMMENDED TOUR OPERATORS OFFERING BIRDING SAFARIS
RECOMMENDED BIRDING BOOKS
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