iGwalagwala Forest Trail

-28.38584 , 32.40781

South Africa

A magical forest on the southern edge of town, easily reachable by foot. A dawn chorus of ringing loud with the songs of dozens of species is truly spectacular: Livingstone's Touraco's gruffly bark, Camaroptera's give the rhythm and Red-capped Robin-chats try their darndest to confuse you with their mimicry. Buff-spotted Flufftails hoot away and scurry through the undergrowth alongside Tambourine Doves, Red Duikers and an endemic subspecies of the Red Bush Squirrel (Tonga RBS).

This is a well-frequented birding spot so please do not use playback, especially for the sensitive Buff-spotted Flufftails.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Site name was changed by Dale Forbes into "IGwalagwala Forest Trail" (2021-09-14 14:47:15 )

Coordinates were set by Dale Forbes : -28.3858/32.4078 (2021-09-14 13:45:54 )

Site name was set by Dale Forbes as "IGwalagwala Forest Trail" (2021-09-14 13:45:54 )

Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:50:31
A magical forest on the southern edge of town, easily reachable by foot. A dawn chorus of ringing loud with the songs of dozens of species is truly spectacular: Livingstone's Touraco's gruffly bark, Camaroptera's give the rhythm and Red-capped Robin-chats try their darndest to confuse you with their mimicry. Buff-spotted Flufftails hoot away and scurry through the undergrowth alongside Tambourine Doves, Red Duikers and an endemic subspecies of the Red Bush Squirrel (Tonga RBS). This is a well-frequented birding spot so please do not use playback, especially for the sensitive Buff-spotted Flufftails.
Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:02:53
A magical forest on the southern edge of town, easily reachable by foot. A dawn chorus of ringing loud with the songs of dozens of species is truly spectacular: Livingstone's Touraco's gruffly bark, Camaroptera's give the rhythm and Red-capped Robin-chats try their darndest to confuse you with their mimicry. Buff-spotted Flufftails hoot away and scurry through the undergrowth alongside Tambourine Doves, Red Duikers and an endemic subspecies of the Red Bush Squirrel (Tonga RBS).RBS). This is a well-frequented birding spot so please do not use playback, especially for the sensitive Buff-spotted Flufftails.
Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:01:51
A magical forest on the southern edge of town, easily reachable by foot. A dawn chorus of ringing loud with the songs of dozens of species is truly spectacular: Livingstone's Touraco's gruffly bark, Camaroptera's give the rhythm and Red-capped Robin-chats try their darndest to confuse you with their mimicry. Buff-spotted Flufftails hoot away and scurry through the undergrowth alongside Tambourine Doves, Red Duikers and an endemic subspecies of the Red Bush Squirrel (Tonga RBS).

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Livingstone's Turaco (Tauraco livingstonii)
Green Malkoha (Ceuthmochares australis)
Buff-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura elegans)
Narina Trogon (Apaloderma narina)
Woodwards' Batis (Batis fratrum)
Rudd's Apalis (Apalis ruddi)
African Golden-Weaver (Ploceus subaureus)
Southern Brown-throated Weaver (Ploceus xanthopterus)
Green-backed Twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula)
Black-tailed Waxbill (Glaucestrilda perreini)
Pink-throated Twinspot (Hypargos margaritatus)

Southern Brown-throated Weaver (Ploceus xanthopterus) was added by Dale Forbes (2021-09-17 06:25:11)

Woodwards' Batis (Batis fratrum) was added by Dale Forbes (2021-09-14 14:51:31)

Green Malkoha (Ceuthmochares australis) was added by Dale Forbes (2021-09-14 13:54:39)

African Golden-Weaver (Ploceus subaureus) was added by Dale Forbes (2021-09-14 13:54:30)

Livingstone's Turaco (Tauraco livingstonii) was added by Dale Forbes (2021-09-14 13:53:34)

Green-backed Twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula) was added by Dale Forbes (2021-09-14 13:52:04)

Rudd's Apalis (Apalis ruddi) was added by Dale Forbes (2021-09-14 13:51:45)

Black-tailed Waxbill (Glaucestrilda perreini) was added by Dale Forbes (2021-09-14 13:49:07)

Narina Trogon (Apaloderma narina) was added by Dale Forbes (2021-09-14 13:48:30)

Buff-spotted Flufftail (Sarothrura elegans) was added by Dale Forbes (2021-09-14 13:48:22)

Pink-throated Twinspot (Hypargos margaritatus) was added by Dale Forbes (2021-09-14 13:48:07)

  • Timing and strategy

Best experienced at dawn. Enjoyable all year round, but summer months would include some additional migrant species.

Trails are typically broad (>6ft/2m) and well maintained with grass, decaying leaves or sand underfoot.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:10
Best experienced at dawn. Enjoyable all year round, but summer months would include some additional migrant species.species. Trails are typically broad (>6ft/2m) and well maintained with grass, decaying leaves or sand underfoot.
Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:08
Best experienced at dawn. Enjoyable all year round, but summer months would include some additional migrant species.
  • How to get there

BY FOOT

Walk from St. Lucia town south along McKenzie Street and then directly on to the trails at the end of the road.

BY CAR

Park at the little parking lot just south of town towards the estuary and shortly before Eden Park Campground. Do not leave any valuables or possessions visible in your vehicle.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:29
BY FOOT Walk from St. Lucia town south along McKenzie Street and then directly on to the trails at the end of the road. BY CAR Park at the little parking lot just south of town towards the estuary and shortly before Eden Park Campground.  Do not leave any valuables or possessions visible in your vehicle.
Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:29
BY FOOT Walk from St. Lucia town south along McKenzie Street and then directly on to the trails at the end of the road. BY CAR Park at the little parking lot just south of town towards the estuary and shortly before Eden Park Campground. 

Access is free of charge and theoretically open 24/7 but birding on foot in the forest after dark is not recommended because of the hippos.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:34
Access is free of charge and theoretically open 24/7 but birding on foot in the forest after dark is not recommended because of the hippos.
  • Other attractions

Red Duikers, Tonga Red Bush Squirrels and Vervet Monkeys are common. The nearby estuary and ocean are good for fishing, and the coast has nesting Leatherback and Loggerhead Turtles.

iGwalagwala is the isiZulu name for the Purple-crested Turaco.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:50
Red Duikers, Tonga Red Bush Squirrels and Vervet Monkeys are common. The nearby estuary and ocean are good for fishing, and the coast has nesting Leatherback and Loggerhead Turtles.Turtles. iGwalagwala is the isiZulu name for the Purple-crested Turaco.
Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:38
Red Duikers, Tonga Red Bush Squirrels and Vervet Monkeys are common. The nearby estuary and ocean are good for fishing, and the coast has nesting Leatherback and Loggerhead Turtles.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Not available yet

Beware of hippos in the forest, particularly at dawn and dusk. Do not walk the trails after dark. A local guide will be able to help ensure your safety and find the special birds.

Do not leave valuables visible in parked cars.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:39
Beware of hippos in the forest, particularly at dawn and dusk. Do not walk the trails after dark. A local guide will be able to help ensure your safety and find the special birds.birds. Do not leave valuables visible in parked cars.
Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:13
Beware of hippos in the forest, particularly at dawn and dusk. Do not walk the trails after dark. A local guide will be able to help ensure your safety and find great specials.the special birds.
Edited by Dale Forbes on 2021-09-14 14:13
Beware of hippos in the forest, particularly at dawn and dusk. Do not walk the trails after dark. A local guide will be able to help ensure your safety and find great specials.
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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Dale Forbes

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