Faerie Glen Nature Reserve

The Faerie Glen Nature Reserve is situated in the east of Pretoria, just to the south of Lynnwood Road, about 11 km from Church Square. The best time for birding is in summer, especially in the morning or late afternoon. Up to 75 species can be expected on a summer morning, but any birding stint of 2 hours or more will produce at least 40 species, even on a winter's afternoon. About 150 species has been recorded, including very rare birds such as Corn Crake and River Warbler.

Specials
African Black Duck, European Nightjar, European Bee-eater, Red-throated Wryneck, Brown-backed Honeybird, swallows, swifts,Marsh Warbler, Cape Grassbird, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Cape Weaver and African Firefinch.

Habitats
The northern border of the reserve is formed by the hills of the Bronberg Mountains, with Renosterkop (1489m) in the northeast the highest, and Faerie Glen Hill (1442m) the most accessible. The perennial Moreletta Spruit flows along the foot of the Bronberg Mountains, and a large part of the reserve lies in the flood plain of this spruit, between 1350m and 1380m above sea level. A shallow, wooded kloof stretches southwards from the eastern side of Faerie Glen Hill.

The Bronberg Mountains are mainly covered with mixed woodland, typical of the so-called Bankenveld. At the bottom of the Faerie Glen Hill a stand of White Stinkwood trees (Celtis africana) forms a thick bush, which extends into the shallow kloof. The flood plain is mainly grassland. Acacia thornveld covers parts of the reserve, especially to the south of the spruit, with the rest consisting of mixed woodland. Tall grasses grow along the spruit, with a few reedbeds in the stream.

Facilities
The only facility is a network of trails, covering the whole reserve. Dogs are allowed, if on a leash.

Birding
In summer the grassland holds large numbers of Southern Masked-Weaver, Southern Red Bishop, White-winged Widowbird and Red-collared Widowbird. Cape Grassbird (common) and Levaillant's Cisticola also occur here. This is also the best area for swallows and swifts and a typical summers afternoon should produce Greater Striped Swallow, Lesser Striped Swallow and White-throated Swallow, plus perhaps Barn Swallow, as well as African Palm-Swift, White-rumped Swift and Little Swift, especially as the birds fly lower and lower as the insects are lowered with the cooling of the air. Rock Martin can also be expected, especially in winter. Tawny-flanked Prinia is common, and in late summer Marsh Warbler is guaranteed (listen for their low-pitched "tchh" alarm call in grassland at the edge of bushveld). Other seed eaters are not common, but small groups of Bronze Mannikin and Common Waxbill should be found regularly. The grassland is burnt almost every winter, and then Crowned Lapwing, Blacksmith Lapwing and African Wattled Lapwing, as well as Spotted Thick-knee can be expected. In summer, especially late summer, Diderick Cuckoo is present in considerable numbers.

The spruit does not house many birds, but African Black Duck is regularly found flying along the stream. Various kingfishers have been found, but this occurrence is exceptional. Lesser Swamp-Warbler is resident, and Cape Weaver breed in isolated spots. The thicker vegetation next to the spruit is also the favoured habitat of African Firefinch, which should be listened for in particular near the parking area.

In the acacia thornveld Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler, Long-billed Crombec, Rattling Cisticola, Black-chested Prinia and Neddicky occurs in considerable numbers, and Crimson-breasted Shrike is a fairly recent addition. In summer these species are supplemented by Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher. Amongst seedeaters Yellow-fronted Canary and Black-throated Canary are the most common, especially in the morning. Helmeted Guineafowl keep to grassland in the thornveld. In winter the Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird moves into trees with mistletoe.

The mixed woodland houses various birds, of which the following can be expected with any visit: Red-throated Wryneck, White-bellied Sunbird, Amethyst Sunbird and Streaky-headed Seedeater. A wide range other bushveld birds also occur regularly, even if they may not always be present: Acacia Pied Barbet (in small numbers), Cardinal Woodpecker, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Brown-backed Honeybird, Black Cuckooshrike, Arrow-marked Babbler, White-throated Robin-Chat (in denser areas), White-browed Scrub-Robin, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Black-crowned Tchagra (the latter especially along the hillsides), Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike, Violet-backed Starling, cape Cape Glossy Starling. Bokmakierie is almost always present in small numbers and can be found anywhere. In summer Red-chested Cuckoo and Black Cuckoo often call from denser trees, and in late summer, during caterpillar outbreaks, Levaillant's Cuckoo can be expected. The thick bush is the best spot for Southern Boubou and Bar-throated Apalis, and in summer African Paradise-Flycatcher is regularly seen here.

The hills sometimes produce something rare, such as a Cape Rock-Thrush or Striped Pipit, but generally not much happens there. On the side of the kloof there are dead trees that are often used in summer as perches for European Bee-eater. Raptors are scarce in FGN. Black-shouldered Kite can be expected from time to time, and in late summer Yellowbilled kite and Steppe Buzzard may occur. Now and then a Little Sparrowhawk, or even a young African Harrier-Hawk, can be seen.

At night Spotted Eagle-Owl are common, and in summer European Nightjar can be found. Because these nightjars do not call they are seldom recorded.

General
Admission times
Sept - Apr: 06:00 - 19:00 (summer)
May - Aug: 06:00 - 18:88 (winter)

Entrance fee: No charge

Pets Dogs on leash

Facilities Three hiking trails:
Hadeda route: 6,2 km
Acacia route: 4,5 km
Kiepersol route: 11,3 km

Contact number +27 12 348 1265/6

Fax number +27 12 348 8462

Directions
From the N1, take the Atterbury rd offramp to the east. At Genl Louis Botha dr turn left and follow the signs to the reserve.

Stephan Terblanche 2001.