Dune forest Birding.

Southern-banded Snake-eagle- a denizen of Dune forest.

The warm Agulhus current, flowing down the Mozambican channel and the North-East coast of South Africa, brings with it warm, moist air which ensures the coastline receives the highest rainfall in South Africa. Skirting the North-eastern coastline are some of the Earths’ highest vegetated sand dunes, some reaching 185m in height. As a result of the high rainfall, these dunes are covered in lush green forest known as ‘Dune forest,’ and are home to a staggering diversity of life. Samango monkeys feed and play in the forest canopy, inadvertently dropping fruits for the dainty Red duiker to feed on. The twitchy and nervous Tonga red bush squirrels scamper frenetically along the branches keeping a watchful eye for any danger whilst Gaboon adders, perfectly camouflaged, wait patiently in the leaf litter for unsuspecting victims to wander by. These are some of the creatures specially adapted to this Dune forest habitat (a very unique habitat within South Africa). 
 It is here in the dappled light of the forest that I am fortunate to lead birding tours. Forest birding can be challenging at times due to the dense undergrowth, tall canopy and secretive nature of many of the birds. Call identification is essential in finding birds as well as patience. Long periods of silence are abruptly broken by multi-species ‘bird parties’ which typically hold 20 or more bird species. These ‘bird parties’ are characterized by a cacophony of calls and flurry of feathers as birds fly between trees and busily feed or hawk insects. It is often difficult to decide where to look first as there is so much activity around. Typical species in these bird parties include tantalizing specials such as Woodwards batis, Rudds apalis, Yellow-rumped tinkerbird, White-eared barbet,  Olive sunbird, Blue-mantled crested flycatcher, Dark-backed weaver, Olive bush-shrike, Gorgeous bush-shrike, Black-bellied starling, Green twinspot, Square-tailed drongo, Thick-billed weaver and Green backed camaroptera. Livingstones turaco can be located by their hoarse calls which reverberate through the forest but they often only allow a brief glimpse as they fly away, revealing their dazzling red flight feathers. It is no wonder their Zulu name- ‘Igwalagwala’ means ‘the coward’! The strikingly coloured Narina trogon can be surprisingly difficult to find as it often presents its camouflaged green back to any perceived threat (such as us birdwatchers!) . Green malkoha are easy to locate in the breeding season when their far-carrying and unmistakeable call alerts us to their presence but for the rest of the year these secretive birds can be challenging to find in the dense tangles they so love! 
This dune forest forms the longest continuous belt of indigenous forest within South Africa, stretching 200km along the coastline from just South of St Lucia Village to the Mozambique border.  It is difficult to believe that this majestic forest was once almost lost to us had it not been for the heroic efforts of environmentalists in the mid-1990s. The sand dunes,which are rich in minerals such as Titanium, were being earmarked for mining (which would have resulted in the felling of all the forest) . A public petition to the government, signed by over 500 000 South African Citizens,  eventually put a halt to mining plans and can be remembered as one of the greatest conservation successes of the era. Shortly afterwards all the reserves along this stretch of coastline were amalgamated to form the ‘Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park’ and finally in 1999 the reserve became South Africa’s first designated UNESCO World Heritage Site- Isimangaliso Wetlands Park.
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A typical Dune forest scene. Red Duiker moving together with Crested guineafowl (safety in numbers)