St Lucia Birding Update- February '24

African emerald cuckoo

It was an uncharacteristically dry February with only 62mm of rain (compared to 471 last year). The wetlands have shrank as a result but are still supporting good numbers of African pygmy-goose, White-backed duck, Great white & Intermediate egret, Red-billed teal, Yellowbilled duck, White-faced whistling duck, African jacana, Black crake, Striated heron, Little grebe. Collared pratincole are regular at Wetland edges within the Isimangaliso Wetlands park.

White-backed duck

The lake St Lucia estuary mouth has been rather quiet this month with no rarities showing up but still some excellent birding to be had. Palm-nut vulture have been seen at the mouth and surrounding beaches regularly -mostly singly and sometimes as a pair. Regular Terns at the roost have included Lesser crested, Greater crested, Little, Sandwich, Common and Caspian. Other regulars at the mouth this month have included Common-ringed, Grey and White-fronted plover, Sanderling, Common and Curlew sandpiper, Little stint, Common greenshank, Eurasian curlew, African black oytsercatcher, Western osprey, Southern brown-throated, Thick-billed & Eastern golden weaver; African reed & Lesser swamp warbler. The odd Sand martin was sometimes present amongst the many Barn swallows on the beaches surrounding the mouth.

Palm-nut vulture pair at the Lake St Lucia estuary mouth

In the forest we have enjoyed great sightings of Narina trogon, Green malkoha, African emerald cuckoo, Black-throated wattle-eye, Woodwards batis, Grey waxbill, Green twinspot, Lemon dove, Tambourine dove, Garden warbler, Rudd's apalis, Livingstone's turaco, African pygmy-kingfisher and the other specials. More perseverance has been required (as is normal this time of year) due to many of the birds being less vocal and the forest being lush and dense. 

Grey waxbill

The Buff-spotted flufftail have been very consistent this month with regular sightings.  ​

In the grasslands we have started to see the a couple of Senegal lapwing

Senegal lapwing

As far as rarities go:

An African crake was discovered 1.5km North of the Isimangaliso Eastern shores entrance gate.

Also of interest, nearby in Monzi (unfortunately on private land and therefore inaccessible), a Buff-breasted sandpiper and Pectoral sandpiper were discovered. Both huge rarities.

African crake