Birds of the Magaliesberg 2023

Situated North and South of the Magaliesberg, this relatively pristine part of the Magaliesberg, with its highest point being just over 1600 M above sea level lies between Zilkaatsnek in the West and Hornsnek in the East.To the North lies Garankuwa and to the South lies the Witwatersberg. This relatively unspoilt part of the region is ideal for rambling up in the mountains. There are several well forested gullies and bush areas. The larger part to the North in the De Wildt area is the PEGLERAE CONSERVANCY with the MAGALIES MOOT CONSERVANCY on the Southern side. The Peglerae conservancy is part of the buffer for the Magaliesberg biosphere. The largest part of the northern area is classed as Marikana thornveld with Gold Reef Mountain Bushveld on the mountain. The southern area between the Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg is the threatened Moot valley bushveld. For easy access a company, De Wildt Adventure Trails has been set up in the central area and close to Zilkaatsnek, offering a number of safe hiking opportunities in the mountain The Southern side has a number of important wetland and water areas running along the Swartspruit. Most of these areas fall within the Xanadu Nature estate where the river is dammed up in a few places and extensive grassland and wetlands occur

The De Wildt side with its varied habitats has many unusual species such as Grey-headed shrike and Orange-breasted Bush Shrikes, Crimson breasted Shrike which is found more around the West side running from the Cheetah farm, most Cuckoo species occur, both the Brown crowned and Black crowned Tchagra occur, with the Black -crowned more in the North facing Wild Syringa woodlands. On the top of the grassy hills, one finds the common button quail and Striped Pipit. The Short-toed Rock thrush was resident in one of these areas for some time. The Cape and White-fronted Robin -Chats are seen in the mountain woodland and gardens. Ground Woodpeckers have been seen in flight on three occasions but still need to be found in the Magaliesberg. When the rivers are in full flood out the mountain, Half -collared Kingfishers have arrived to patrol the fast flowing waters.

Looking south into the Moot area

Aloe peglerae the endemic aloe that is endangered due to poaching

Aloe marlothii in foothills and valleys

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