Reflecting on Our First Full Summer Birding Season at Zaagkuilsdrift
- Farrah Higgs
- Apr 1
- 6 min read
Reflecting on Our First Full Summer Birding Season at Zaagkuilsdrift
As we look back on the 2024/2025 summer birding season at Zaagkuilsdrift Bird Sanctuary and Lodge, we are filled with pride and gratitude. While we technically took over the lodge during the 2023/2024 season, this past summer felt like our first true season—experiencing it fully from start to finish. From enduring the freezing winter temperatures to celebrating the arrival of late December rains like children on Christmas morning, this season has been a journey of learning, adapting, and thriving.
The transformation of the landscape into a lush, green paradise was nothing short of magical. With it came the return of migratory birds, filling the lodge with excitement and energy alongside hundreds of visitors, both familiar and new. The enthusiasm from the South African birding community has been humbling. Every group that checked in shared our passion for nature, reinforcing our mission and motivating us to push forward despite the challenges. As a family, we rolled up our sleeves, worked hard, and gave this season our all.
A Season to Remember: Insights from the Experts
To capture the essence of this special season, we reached out to some of the top bird guides who frequented Zaagkuilsdrift. Their reflections paint a picture of an unforgettable summer filled with unique sightings, shifting seasonal trends, and valuable lessons.
Top Highlights and Noteworthy Sightings
From thrilling encounters with River Warblers and Striped Crakes to an extraordinary abundance of warblers and Dwarf Bitterns along the birding route, this season has been particularly rewarding. We caught up with Bongani Ngwenya, a passionate birder and local guide who spent much of the season at Zaagkuilsdrift. Bongani shared his thoughts on the 2024/2025 birding season at Zaagkuilsdrift, offering his insights and personal experiences. He described his overall experience as "awesome!!!," capturing the excitement and enjoyment he felt throughout the season. When asked about his top bird sightings, Bongani highlighted several memorable encounters, including Striped Crakes, Lesser Moorhen, and the elusive Finfoot, which left a lasting impression on him.
Justin Rhys Nicolau described it as a "delightfully muddy adventure," recounting magical moments like sipping morning coffee while being serenaded by Striped Crakes. He noted an incredible number of River Warblers, a trend echoed by Jandre Verster, who called this season’s warbler activity "phenomenal." Jandre also had a particularly special moment discovering the first arriving Thrush Nightingales, capturing stunning photo opportunities in the process.
Meanwhile, Niall Perrins, a long-time Zaagkuilsdrift enthusiast, continued his tradition of visiting on Christmas morning. He observed fluctuating numbers of Black-winged Pratincoles, sometimes in the thousands—a testament to Kgomo Kgomo’s importance as a global hotspot for this species. The return of Dwarf Bitterns and early-arriving Thrush Nightingales added to the season’s highlights.
Doug Newman, who has been an incredible support at the lodge over the past year, also shared his thoughts. We have collaborated on many projects, including our delta hide, and have offered numerous LBJ Courses and Beginner Birding Courses throughout the year. With many projects still in the pipeline, his perspective is invaluable.
Doug described this season as "one of the best in a decade, particularly for migrant warblers." He noted that while excessive rain led to lower trip counts on certain days, the sheer number of warblers more than made up for it. His most memorable sighting? Recording the calls of Striped Crakes. While he didn’t observe any rare or unexpected species, the unusual abundance of certain birds made this season stand out.
However, Doug also raised an important conservation concern: the near-total absence of Amur Falcons, which he found both unusual and worrying. His advice for future birders? "Learn your calls. That’s the biggest difference between 100-115 species and lists of over 150 for a morning."
Etienne Marais, one of the authors of Birding Gauteng 2—the "birding bible" of the greater Gauteng area—has been instrumental in putting Zaagkuilsdrift on the birding map. He has been birding in the area for MANY years and hosts an annual Warbler Weekend, which this year marked its 21st anniversary. He described this season as one of the best warbler seasons to date. A personal milestone for Etienne was guiding 30 guests to excellent sightings of the elusive River Warbler—known as one of the most difficult birds to tick off lists.
Seasonal Trends and Challenges
This year’s birding season was heavily influenced by rainfall patterns. While the late arrival of rain may have limited waterbird diversity compared to previous years, it created ideal conditions for species like River Warbler, African Crake, and Dwarf Bittern. Jandre Verster noted that the timing of the flooding plays a crucial role in determining the abundance of specific species.
Conservation Concerns
One recurring concern raised by multiple guides was habitat clearing. Both Justin and Niall observed noticeable bush clearing, particularly in areas known for warblers and Thrush Nightingale. While some of these changes may create new opportunities for certain species like coursers and Caspian Plovers, there’s an ongoing need to balance development with conservation efforts. Doug emphasized the absence of Amur Falcons as a major concern, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring.
Personal Achievements and Looking Ahead
For seasoned birders, new lifers are increasingly rare, but personal milestones remain special. Jandre added Eurasian Golden Oriole to his Zaagkuilsdrift list, bringing his total to an impressive 329 species. Justin welcomed Half-collared Kingfisher, Lanner Falcon, Levaillant’s Cisticola, and Great Crested Grebe to his records within the region.
Looking ahead to next season, the guides are hoping for earlier rains and the return of rarities like Streaky-breasted Flufftail. Doug also voiced his hopes that the suspected El Niño doesn’t result in an extended dry spell. Continued monitoring of the river could also yield more sightings of elusive species like Finfoot and Half-collared Kingfisher.
Winter Birding at Zaagkuilsdrift
While summer often steals the spotlight, winter at Zaagkuilsdrift is an equally rewarding experience. Too often, birders in Gauteng overlook the magic of winter birding. Yet those who venture out are met with spectacular scenes: large flocks of bushveld species moving together, unobstructed views as foliage thins, and birds displaying behaviours rarely seen in summer. We’re particularly excited for the winter congregation of species such as Orange Breasted Waxbills, Southern Pied Babblers, Violet-eared Waxbills, and various lark species, which become more visible and active in the cooler months.
Winter also presents a fantastic opportunity for owling, as the longer nights and cooler temperatures create ideal conditions for spotting these elusive nocturnal hunters. With nine owl species recorded in our area, including the Pearl-spotted Owlet, African Scops Owl, Marsh Owl, and Spotted Eagle-Owl, birders have a unique chance to observe and listen to these incredible birds. During this season, owls become more vocal as they establish territories and call to potential mates, making them easier to locate. Whether you're an experienced birder or new to the thrill of nocturnal birding, winter is the perfect time to grab a flashlight, head into the bush, and experience the magic of owling.
One of the greatest advantages of winter birding at Zaagkuilsdrift is the comfort. No summer heatwaves, no mosquitoes, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy crisp mornings and golden afternoons by the fire. With much of the property’s tracks remaining accessible, birders can cover more ground with ease, increasing their chances of spotting those special species that might otherwise go unnoticed.
We invite the birding community to embrace this underrated season. Whether you’re an avid lister chasing lifers or a casual observer soaking in the serenity of the bushveld, winter at Zaagkuilsdrift promises a unique and memorable experience. Don’t let the cooler months slip by unnoticed—come and discover what makes winter birding here so extraordinary.
Gratitude and Excitement for the Future
As we wrap up our first full summer season at Zaagkuilsdrift, we are filled with gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead! A massive THANK YOU to everyone who visited, supported, and shared in the magic of this summer with us. The camaraderie of the birding community, the thrill of new discoveries, and the privilege of being immersed in nature have made this an unforgettable one.
To our incredible guides, passionate guests, and friends who have embraced our vision—you are the heart of Zaagkuilsdrift! Your enthusiasm and support inspire us every day, and we are beyond thrilled to announce that we have some fantastic projects on the horizon! Stay tuned, because the best is yet to come!
Happy birding,
The Zaagkuilsdrift Team
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