Earlier this year a Gauteng-based birder spotted a remarkable 155 bird species in and around the Sibaya Coastal Forest with some species identified for the first time. His new findings were added to the South African Bird Atlas Project 2 (SABAP2) website and the area now has a total of 279 documented sightings.
Pieter Verster was on holiday in KwaZulu-Natal and spent some time in the Sibaya area and during his five day stay, he identified 155 species including the Green Malkoha, Crested Guineafowl, European Honey Buzzard, Grey Waxbill and the Dark-backed Weaver. A European Roller was also identified for the first time in the precinct.
The location of Verster sightings falls within a five-kilometre radius of the Sibaya Coastal Forest extending to uMhlanga Lighthouse in the south and to the eMdloti lagoon in the north.
“My wife and I love spending time in the Sibaya Coastal Forest. We visit KZN regularly and are always pleasantly surprised with the bird species we find. This past visit was a record for us with an amazing number spotted. It’s truly a birder’s haven and we will surely be visiting again, hoping to exceed our last total, and hopefully spot more species,” Verster explained.
Sibaya Precinct Manager, Gray Braatvedt, who along with his team manages the forest, said it was refreshing seeing birders enjoying the area.
“Our team works hard daily to create a sustainable indigenous environment that attracts birds and other wildlife. The noteworthy number of bird sightings is testament to our ongoing effort to maintain the Sibaya Coastal Forest and surrounding areas. We always knew it was home to some wonderful bird species and it’s great that birders are spending time in the forest and documenting them. We hope to see many more of them come through to see what they can spot. They certainly won’t be disappointed,” said Braatvedt.
