Get to Know Gauteng's Birds
The greater Gauteng region, including Johannesburg and Pretoria, is often overlooked by birders on their travels further afield. However, with its great diversity of natural and modified habitats, the region offers more than 450 species, including 80 endemics or near-endemics. Many specials are more easily seen here than anywhere else on Earth! Whether you’re a visiting birder, a hardcore local lister, or even just an outdoor-enthusiast looking for a good travel guide, this book is a must-have!
This information-packed, lavishly illustrated new book provides in-depth information on site access, birding habitats, seasons, routes and how to go about finding the specials. Sites covered range from suburban nature reserves, through classic favourites such as Rietvlei, Suikerbosrand and Marievale, to exciting weekend destinations including Zaagkuildrift, Nylsvley, Magoebaskloof and Wakkerstroom. A number of exciting new sites not previously described elsewhere are also included, such as Mkhombo Dam, the Cradle of Humankind and the Vredefort Dome. The book includes a chapter on weekend destinations, from Lesotho to the Limpopo River!
“If I had this book in my early years, the lifers would have come rolling in!” – Ian Sinclair
About the Author
Etienne Marais owns and operates Indicator Birding, established in 1998, an eco-tourism company specialising in finding the more elusive specials throughout southern Africa. He is also founder of The Raiders of the Lost Lark, the first birding team to record 300 species in one day – all within the Gauteng region! Etienne has nearly 40 years’ birding experience and is a past chairman of BirdLife northern Gauteng. He lives in Centurion with his wife Alice and children, Kayla and Ruben. They share their garden with a pair of Little Sparrowhawks. Faansie Peacock has been passionate about natural history and ornithology since childhood, and has been birding for over 20 years. His fascination with LBJs culminated in the 2006 publication of Pipits of southern Africa, a reflection of Faansie’s meticulous observation skills, artistic talent and obsessive note taking. He holds an honours degree in Ecology. Faansie and his wife Ronel live in Elardus Park, Pretoria.
Features
- 101 birding sites with in-depth details on access, accommodation, habitat & specials
- Full-colour site maps & information icons indicating facilities, directions & safety
- Illustrated features on identification challenges & finding sought-after specials
- Supplementary information on other wildlife, geology & botany
- A selection of top weekend trips, including new sites not covered elsewhere
- Recommended birding itineraries for local & visiting birders
- Bi-monthly birding calendar with suggested birding activities for the whole year
- Annotated checklist (English & Afrikaans), with the best sites to find each species
