Moreleta Kloof

The Moreleta Kloof is a small (92 ha) natural area in the suburb of Moreleta Park, SE Pretoria. Forming an isolated oasis for some of the shyer species to be found in the Pretoria region, the kloof’s amazing diversity of habitats hosts a range of interesting species. It is an excellent place for novice birders to come to grips with some of the commoner birds, while experienced twitchers will always find something interesting. Some 160 species have been recorded in this small area, and a summer morning outing may produce up to 80 species. A winter trip should produce around 50 species.

Specials
Marsh Warbler, Little Rush-Warbler, Lesser Swamp-Warbler, and Garden Warbler, Fairy Flycatcher, Brown-backed Honeybird, Black-throated Canary, Jameson's Firefinch, African Firefinch, Red-chested Flufftail, Ovambo Sparrowhawk, Desert Cisticola, Orange-breasted Waxbill.

Habitats
The eastern section of the Kloof is dominated by a medium-sized wetland, where the topography flattens out, to form a floodplain drained by the Rademeyer Spruit. The remainder of the Kloof is basically a narrow valley and the stream is flanked by mature riverine forest, while mixed thornveld grows on the southern hillsides, and protea woodland on the northern hillside. Isolated patches of broadleaved woodland, open grassland and exotic plantations are also to be found.

Facilities
No facilities apart from the footpaths exist. Sometimes these footpaths can become a bit overgrown and unclear, but the main route along the stream is normally an easy walk.

Birding
The birding section is divided into a detailed walk:

Starting at the main entrance gate the grasslands on your left and right and towards the spruit host Zitting Cisticola, Desert Cisticola, White-winged Widowbird, Red-collared Widowbird, Spotted Thick-knee, Crowned Lapwing, African Wattled Lapwing (look for chicks in spring), Greater Striped Swallow and White-rumped Swift. Walk down on the tar road. This road winds its way through some dense moist Acacia caffra woodland where Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, Red-faced Mousebird, Crested Barbet, Black-collared Barbet, Brubru (rarely), Willow Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Southern Masked-Weaver and Cape White-eye can be found. After a few hundred paces you will enter an area of open grassland where the plover, Common Myna, Cape Glossy Starling and Hadeda Ibis can be found. Continue straight through the gap in the trees towards the spruit.

If your visit is in summer you will be treated at the T-junction here with wonderful displays of various weavers, bishops and widows. Look for Thick-billed Weaver and Cape Weaver. Interestingly, Red-collared Widowbird utter a blowing noise when they alight on a perch, from whence their local name "Puffadderbirds". This area also hosts Marsh Owl, while African Grass-Owl has been spotted just a little downstream. Common Quail and Black-shouldered Kite sometimes occurs.

Walk westwards through the Poplar trees which are excellent for good sightings of Cape Grassbird (common throughout the reserve), African Reed-Warbler. Turn right at the bridge over the stream after you’ve walked through the poplars. This bridge is a good spot to look for Red-chested Flufftail, Little Rush-Warbler, Orange-breasted Waxbill and Great Reed-Warbler. Black-collared Barbet and Southern Grey-headed Sparrow nest in the dead branches around the bridge area. Turn left after crossing the bridge.

You are now entering an area of beautiful riverine forest with the dominant tree being Celtis africana. Hadeda Ibis and Red-eyed Dove breed in this patch. Fairy Flycatcher and Garden Warbler occurs, the former in winter and the latter in summer. Garden Warbler are notoriously difficult birds to find because of their dense habitat, dull appearance and soft murmuring voice. They are often found near trees with small berries. Red-chested Cuckoo, Black Cuckoo and Diderick Cuckoo call loudly in early summer. Levaillant's Cisticola can also be seen from here. Steppe Buzzard and Ovambo Sparrowhawk might be seen overhead. Continue straight to where the road bends left and crosses the stream. Turn right after passing the circle.

This mixed woodland is THE place to look for Black Cuckooshrike, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Cardinal Woodpecker, Marsh Warbler, Speckled Mousebird, Black-throated Canary, Jameson's Firefinch, Brown-crowned Tchagra, Cape Robin-Chat and Long-billed Crombec. To find the warblers, walk silently between December and early April, listening for a soft bill snap, and a low, growling "churrrr". They are much commoner than generally realized. Hamerkop used to breed in the large willow on your right. The dam is good for Pied Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Brown-hooded Kingfisher and (rarely) Grey-headed Kingfisher, Common Moorhen, Little Grebe, Lesser Swamp-Warbler, Common Waxbill, Reed Cormorant, African Black Duck and sometimes Little Egret or Green-backed Heron (depending on water level). Orange-breasted Waxbill roost in the reedbeds here at night.

Open protea or broadleaved woodland is the best area for Black-crowned Tchagra, while Brown-backed Honeybird can really occur anywhere. Southern Boubou, Bar-throated Apalis and African Paradise-Flycatcher occupy the riverine forests. The more open areas and the suburban gardens surrounding the Kloof have Bokmakierie and Mountain Wheatear. Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Cape Sparrow and Common Fiscal can be found in the grassland. Moreleta Kloof’s rarities have included Bat Hawk, Little Sparrowhawk and Black Sparrowhawk.

General
The Kloof is open all-year round and access is via the many turnstiles around the fence. The route described here is from the main entrance gate where a tarred road leads into the Kloof. The area can also be accessed via the turnstiles all along the perimeter. Walking at night is not recommended. For ladies, pensioners or younger birders walking in a group is safest.

From the N1 / N4 junction travel south and take the Rigel offramp. Turn left and then continue past the robot at the highway crossroads and the first robot. Turn left at the second robot into Hans Strijdom Drive. Continue past Denel on your left and then at the Lois Ave/ Rubenstein/Hans Strijdom crossing turn right towards Moreleta Park. Go down Rubenstein drive and through the dip. Moreleta Kloof is on your left. Take the first left after the dip (Helios) and drive down until you reach the main gate.

Website: http://www.moreletakloof.co.za

Faansie Peacock 2001