Birding update for St Lucia- July/August 2026

It has been a mixed bag of weather in St Lucia the past couple of months with sunny, warm Winter days interrupted by spells of cold, blustery and rainy weather. Rainfall has been much less than the past couple of Winters and- following a dry Summer- has resulted in many of the wetlands drying up. We experienced an early eruption of Celtis leaf beetle larvae this year. The larvae usually appear late July/early August when the White stinkwood trees push out new leaves whereas this year they appeared early June and into July on the Pigeonwood trees. 

Celtis leaf beetle larvae clustered on the trunk of a Pigeonwood tree

The larvae are a rich food source for insectivorous birds and are especially enjoyed by African emerald cuckoo and Klaas' cuckoo. We had in influx of both cuckoo species during June and July. One memorable sighting included 3 adult male African emerald cuckoo sitting alongside eachother on a branch with a few Klaas' cuckoo surrounding them! It's a mystery where the cuckoo's come from and how they know the larvae are present on the trees in the first place!

African emerald cuckoo perched in a pigeonwood tree

Other birds lured into the Pigeonwood trees by the feast of larvae included Green malkoha, Square-tailed drongo, Olive bush-shrike, Black cuckooshrike, Terrestrial brownbul, White-starred robin and Red-capped robin-chat.

White-starred robin lured up into a Pigeonwood tree by the feast of larvae

There has also been an influx of Red-fronted tinkerbird this Winter. They are usually sparse and uncommon in St Lucia whereas this Winter they are pleasantly common.

Red-fronted tinkerbird in St Lucia

In recent weeks, action in the forest has been centred around fruiting Natal fig trees. The fruit-laden trees have been attracting large flocks of Black-bellied starling, African green pigeon, Livingstone's turaco, Trumpeter hornbill, Yellow-bellied & sombre greenbul, White-eared & Black-collared barbet and Yellow-rumped tinkerbird to name a few. Predatory birds such as African goshawk, Black sparrowhawk and Little sparrowhawk have been staking out the fig trees too, attracted by the buffet of birds. 

Livingstones turaco seeking sunshine in close vicinity to a fruiting fig

On the chilly mornings during cold snaps, birds have been hunting the warm sunshine at forest edge and usually skulking species such as Green malkoha have been providing fantastic photo opportunities whilst happily exposed!

Green malkoha soaking in the warm sunshine at the forest edge

We have been privileged this Winter to have an incredibly confiding Spotted ground-thrush on the trail, providing us with fantastic views as it flicks through leaf litter on the forest floor. It is often in the company of Brown scrub-robin, Red-capped robin-chat and Terrestrial brownbul.

Spotted ground-thrush in St Lucia

Seeding Casuarina (Beefwood) trees have been attracting a nice variety of seed-eaters including Green twinspot, Red-backed mannikin, Grey waxbill and Yellow-fronted canary.

Green twinspot feasting on Casuarina seeds

Today (5th August) we heard the first calling Narina trogon, a sign that Spring is on it's way! 

Male Narina trogon are calling again!

On the Eastern shores of Isimangaliso we have enjoyed regular sightings of Secretarybird during the month

Secretarybird on the Eastern shores

Shrinking wetlands are providing easy pickings for Black-headed & Grey herons, Pied & Malachite kingfishers, Yellow-billed and Great white Egrets, Hamerkops and Saddle-billed storks. 

Saddle-billed stork hunting in a shrinking wetland

Collared pratincole have returned to the Eastern shores where they are often encountered perched in the road.

Collared pratincole in the road, Isimangaliso Wetlands Park

The long-staying Sentinel rock thrush (a very unusual record for the area) is still lingering on the Eastern shores.

Sentinel rock-thrush on the eastern shores

Large hunting flocks of Great White Pelican have been visible on the Lake (St Lucia) from places such as Catalina bay and Charters creek.

Great white pelican on Lake St Lucia

The estuary mouth closed during July due to dropping lake water levels and reduced flow from the uMfolozi river. The tern roost is still present opposite the mouth and is holding Greater crested, Sandwich and Caspian tern. Other birds commonly seen on the beaches surrounding the mouth and out at sea include Cape Gannet, Kelp gull, African oystercatcher, Eurasian whimbrel & White-fronted plover. Southern brown-throated weavers are regular in the reedbeds surrounding the mouth.

Southern brown-throated weaver in the reedbeds opposite the mouth

Lastly, we have had regular good sightings of Winter-visiting Mangrove kingfisher.