|
Birding at Kalizo Lodge
Kalizo, Katima Mulilo and the surrounding areas
Many photographs on this page are by kind permission of Chris van Rooyen, renowned avian photographer and artist. To read information on his photography tours to Kalizo and elsewhere, go here
(Download Namibian Birding Checklist here)
To read a list of birds recently sighted at kalizo, click here
Katima Mulilo and the areas around it, including Kalizo Lodge, situated as it is, on the banks of the Zambezi River, has some of the best birding in the Caprivi. The area has four distinctive vegetation types or habitats, each of which provides opportunties for different birding. From the west, Katima/Kalizo Lodge can be approached by driving directly along the B8 from Kongola or via Mudumu and Mamili along the D3511 which swings north from the village of Linyanti.
West of Katima the vegetation is dominated by Kalahari sand broad-leafed woodland (out to Mpacha Airport, 20 km from town on the B8) and the birds here are much the same as in similar habitat elsewhere in the Caprivi. Pale and Southern Black Flycatchers, Long-billed (Wood) Pipit, {mosimage} White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike, Green-capped Eremomela, Grey Cisticola and African Golden Oriole are all present in broad-leafed woodland. African Hobby is also regularly seen, especially in the late afternoon.
Much of the area to the south and east, away from the river, is dominated by mopane woodland and the birds here are much the same as those described for Mudumu National Park, with the significant addition of Black-cheeked Lovebirds.
There are areas around Katima/Kalizo that are excellent for a variety of waterfowl including Hottentot Teal, Fulvous Whistling Duck, White-faced Whistling Duck, White-backed Duck, Black-necked Grebe, Dabchick and this is the most likely area in Namibia to see Yellow-billed Duck. The reeds host Little Rush Warbler, Lesser Swamp-Warbler and African Reed-Warbler, as well as Purple and Allen's Gallinule, Black Crake and African Water Rail. Barn and other swallows roost in large numbers at night and Hobby and several species of accipiters can be seen actively hunting them at dusk.
Waders are generally well represented at Kalizo and you should see Greater Painted-Snipe and African Snipe, several species of Pale arctic migrant waders including Ruff and Green Sandpiper (rare), Long-toed Lapwing, Wattled Plover and Three-banded Plover. Rufous-bellied, Squacco, Green-backed, Purple and Grey Herons are the commonest species of heron, but Slaty Egret and Black Herons have been recorded here as well. Both species of Night Heron have been recorded here, but the chances of seeing White-backed are very small. Rallids are also well represented with African Water Rail and African, Baillon's, Spotted and Black Crakes being regularly recorded. Striped Crake and Red-chested Flufftail have been reported here but are exceedingly difficult to see.
Look out in woodlands areas for a variety of cuckoos including African Striped, Jacobin, Great Spotted and Klaas's. Both Retz's Red-billed and White Helmet Shrikes occur here and are often in bird parties with Black Cuckoo-shrike and Yellow White-eye. This is a good area for raptors as well and African Cuckoo Falcon, Lanner Falcon and Dark Chanting Goshawk are often observed here.
West of Katima on the road to the bridge andthe Zambian border is a good area for Smaller Banded Snake Eagle, Long-crested Eagle, Dickinson's Kestrel, Brown-necked Parrot and in the mopane areas, White-headed Black Chat. This road is relatively quiet at night as the border is closed and is quite good for nightbirds. Pennant-winged, Fiery-necked and Square-tailed Nightjar are present, as are Bronze-winged Coursers and Water Dikkop. The whole of the Katima/Kalizo area is good for owls and you should hear African Wood, White-faced and Common Scops and Barn Owls and Pearl-spotted and African Barred Owlets if you overnight here. Verreaux's Eagle-Owl is also regularly recorded.
The dense forest and woodlands fringing the Zambezi River provide very good birding and are the favoured haunts of Green (Livingstone's) Turaco, Trumpeter Hornbill, African Pygmy Kingfisher, African Goshawk, African Little Sparrowhawk, Crested Barbet, African Emerald Cuckoo, African Wood Owl, White-browed and Red-capped Robin-Chats, Coppery Sunbird and Grey Tit-Flycatcher. Yellow-bellied Bulbul and Terrestrial Brownbul are common here, as are Orange-breasted Bush Shrike, Black-crowned Tchagra and Grey-headed Bush Shrike.
Open areas are good places to look out for Bat Hawk at dusk and several species of nightjar can be seen hunting insects.
The rocky outcrops, sandbanks and flooded river margin woodlands of the Zambezi River have a distinct avifauna as well. Rock Pratincole, African Pied Wagtail and Common Sandpiper can be easily seen on the rocky outcrops and rapids on the western side of Katima. Look out for Rock Pratincole. African Skimmer, Collared Pratincole. White-crowned and Wattled Plover are commonest on exposed sandbanks, the Skimmers using these for roosting and breeding during periods of low water.
The larger islands and backwaters of the Zambezi are often fringed with a distinctive flooded woodland of waterberry, Syzigium guineense, and these are the best areas to see African Finfoot, Pel's Fishing Owl, White-backed Night Heron and African Giant Kingfisher. Access to these areas is easiest by boat which can be hired from us. Reedbeds and flooded grasslands are good areas for Black and Coppery-tailed Coucal, Red-headed Quelea, Chirping and Red-faced Cisticola.
The best areas to explore are around the Hippo Island and the wooded waterways of the Maningi Manzi area, where African Finfoot, Pel's Fishing Owl and White-backed Night Heron, Violet Widowfinch's and Western Banded Snake Eagles are all a possibility.
|
