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BIRDING SAFARIS
Province: Zululand
Route: Mtunzini
Mtunzini, "place of shade," is a coastal town with a wealth of
treasures for the birding or wildlife enthusiast. The town, situated on a
hill overlooking the coastline, has pristine dune forest and an estuary
lined with mangrove swamp forest.
Avenues of indigenous trees lining the streets of the village create
corridors for wildlife movement and provide an excellent food source for
birds. A striking feature of this area are the stands of Raphia palm (Raphia
australis). Their fruits form an essential part of the diet of the Palmnut
Vulture of which 3 to 5 pairs breed in Mtunzini. The best spot to see this
species is at the Raphia palm monument, along the beach, or in the strips
of forest along the drainage lines around the town.
The birding spots are:
Mtunzini
Town Environs – Raffia Palm Monument, Mtunzini prawn farm, Valley Drive,
Wilderness Drive
Siyaya Area - Wilderness Drive, WESSA (Mick’s Park) Educational Centre,
Twinstreams Indigenous Tree Nursery
Umlalazi Nature Reserve
Ongoye Forest Reserve
Theunissen's Dam & St Kitts Dam
Amatigulu Nature Reserve
A walk along the edge of the estuary, which also includes the mangrove
forest, is good for African Finfoot, which may be flushed out into open
water. During the winter months this is the best place to try and track
down the elusive Mangrove Kingfisher. Walks in the coastal dune forest can
be very productive and it is here that the Spotted Thrush can be located
during the winter months. Mtunzini's warm climate and "holiday
style" appearance make it an excellent place for some productive
self-guided birding.
by Gareth Chittenden
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IN THE AREA:
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RECOMMENDED BIRDING GUIDES
RECOMMENDED TOUR OPERATORS OFFERING BIRDING SAFARIS
RECOMMENDED BIRDING BOOKS
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