Walter Sisulu Botanic Gardens nestle beneath a rocky bluff in a well-heeled, well-guarded
neighbourhood in the western suburbs of Johannesburg. Its finest feature is a
beautiful waterfall that cascades down the face of the cliff, providing
protection on one side for the nest of a resident pair of Black Eagles.
Being a Sunday morning, I expected
the gardens to be busy, but the early morning chill of July kept the gardens
quiet for the first couple of hours until the sun had time to warm the air.
A small flock of Speckled Mousebirds were perched in a leafless bush soaking up the warmth from the early morning sun. I noticed that they were all perched legs apart, exposing their bellies and breasts to the sun. Is this simply a more efficient way to warm up that the mousebirds have found? Answers on a postcard please.
A small flock of Speckled Mousebirds were perched in a leafless bush soaking up the warmth from the early morning sun. I noticed that they were all perched legs apart, exposing their bellies and breasts to the sun. Is this simply a more efficient way to warm up that the mousebirds have found? Answers on a postcard please.
I arrived a few minutes before the
opening time of 08.00 and had to wait on the street outside until the gates
were opened. The car park is worth exploring before venturing into the gardens
and brought Southern Boubou, Fairy Flycatcher and Karoo Thrush before I handed over RSA
35 (@RSA 16 = £1) to enter.
I was greeted by an African Wattled Lapwing on the lawns
just inside the gate. Further up the slope a Spotted Dikkop skulked like a petulant teenager with his hands in his pockets.
The main body of the gardens are to
the south of the gate and I followed the path towards the waterfall which could
be seen as I walked along. Little side
excursions brought Helmeted Guineafowl,
Cape Robin Chat and Grosbeak Weaver. A Bokmakerie slowed my progress as it posed on a small patch of lawn.
The eagles were tending to a chick
during this third week of July and the eagle-watchers had set up a stand with a
scope, information on the pair, their history and breeding success of previous
years. They kept notes on the comings and goings and were able to update anyone
who was interested, on the birds’ breeding progress so far this year.
My attempts to capture decent photos
were not very successful despite many, many shots fired. The intent at the back
of my mind for a 10,000 Birds post featuring the eagles may have to wait until
I have mastered this photographic lark. Nevertheless, a couple of useable ones
came out as the male (I was reliably informed) glided across the face of the
cliff, harried by Pied Crows that leapt into flight every time the eagles took
to the air.
If you prefer better picture quality, try the live eagle cam mounted on the cliff, close to the eagles' nest.
The female (again I am relying on
local knowledge) remained on the nest and the chick could be seen over the edge
of the structure when it sat up.
The male caught a Rock Hyrax as we watched, but I was
surprised that he didn’t take it to the nest. Instead, he found a cliff perch
and appeared to eat the dassie without any thought given to his partner or
their offspring.
A trail leads up the slope to the
right of the waterfall and a good vantage point can be found a little way up. It
gives a better angle to view the nest and brings the watcher closer to the
eagles’ early morning flight level as they cross the cliff before the thermals
give them lift for soaring.
The trail leads to the top of the
waterfall where signs advise people who need advising, that they should not
throw stones at the eagles’ nest. The birds have actually moved nest sites to a
position just beyond normal stone-throwing distance and with a ledge above to
protect from the stronger arm. The new site for the nest is just out of view
from the top of the cliff, but Rock
Martins, Black-collared Barbet
and Red-winged Starlings were seen
while I was up there.
The trail then drops back down through acacia scrub towards the northern part of the garden. The acacia bushes are popular with Common Fiscal Shrike, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Bar-throated Apalis and Common Bulbul.
A hide overlooks a small dam at
Google Earth ref;26 5 5.57S 27 50 36.85E. A Green-backed Heron hid amongst the grass at the edge of a small
island in front of the hide. A Long-tailed
Cormorant flew in and despite hauling up right in front of the heron,
neither bird even acknowledged the other.
The peace was ruined by the arrival of a small flock of Hadeda Ibis. They flew into the tree beside the dam with a loud squawking and flapping. One dropped down to a dead snag in the water and gave a beautiful view of the sheen that can be seen on its plumage in good light.
Bird list for Walter Sisulu Botanic
Gardens; 40
Egyptian Goose 2, African Black Duck
1, Helmeted Guineafowl 4, Lon-tailed Cormorant 1, Cattle Egret 1, Striated
Heron 1, Hadada Ibis 7, Verreaux’s Eagle 3, Peregrine Falcon 1, Blacksmith
Plover 8, Crowned Lapwing 2, Speckled Pigeon 6, Red-eyed Dove 15, Ring-necked
Dove 4, Laughing Dove 2, Grey Go-away-bird 4, White-browed Coucal 1, Speckled
Mousebird 15, African Grey Hornbill 1, Black-collared Barbet 2, Southern Boubou
3, Bokmakerie 2, Common Fiscal 2, Pied Crow 15, Rock Martin 5, Fairy Flycatcher
1, Common Bulbul 20, Bar-throated Apalis 2, Tawny-flanked Prinia 3, Cape
Robin-Chat 2, Cape Rock-Thrush 2, Karoo Thrush 2, Cape Glossy Starling 2,
Red-winged Starling 5, White-breasted Sunbird 1, Yellow-fronted Canary 6, Cape
Sparrow 20, Yellow-throated Petronia 10, Village Weaver 3, Grosbeak Weaver 1.
Walter Sisulu Botanic Gardens is open
every day from 08.00 until 17.00 and costs RSA 35 to enter. Secure parking is
offered in the marshalled, gated car park.
Facilities include toilets,
restaurant and gift shop.
An open air stage at the lower end of
the first lawn is the venue for musical evenings as the audience picnic on the
grass. Event information can be seen at this link;
Previous visits to Walter Sisulu
Botanic Gardens can be seen at the links below;
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