Hikers in Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valley is a Natural Heritage Park and formally declared municipal nature reserve in Durban, South Africa (29.8646° S, 30.9869° E). It is an unusual example of an urban reserve with very high levels of biodiversity. It was established to provide protection for the Natal elm (Celtis mildbraedii) and other forest giants of the coastal climax forest.[1] Another rare tree that occurs here is Natal forest loquat (Oxyanthus pyriformis), which is endemic to the Durban area and to oNgoye Forest.

In March 2020, a juvenile Crowned Eagle stands over its prey, a Red Duiker

Pigeon Valley is about 11 ha in extent, and is situated on the Berea, overlooking Durban Bay. Its unusual north-south orientation may contribute to the biodiversity, with the south-facing slope covered in canopy forest, while the north-facing slope has thorny thickets. An adjoining reservoir, previously part of the reserve, provides a patch of coastal grassland.

Animals

Red duiker at Pigeon Valley
Male buff-spotted flufftail in Pigeon Valley, January 2014

The park is home to red duiker and blue duiker. Other mammals include Cape genet, a troop of banded mongooses as well as slender and water mongooses. Blue vervet monkeys are constantly present. In July 2019, a side-striped jackal was seen in neighbouring roads and was apparently living in the reserve for a time. This may be the southernmost sighting of this species.

Various species of forest birds are found here including; red-capped robin-chat, green twinspot, Cape white-eye, southern boubou, spotted ground thrush, purple-crested turaco and African paradise flycatcher. The black sparrowhawk breeds here annually. There are increasingly common visits by the Crowned eagle, and it seems that two birds are now resident in the suburban area. Another bird that is seldom seen but that is generally present is buff-spotted flufftail.[2] Unusual sightings of note in recent years include European nightjar, Knysna warbler, lemon dove, mountain wagtail, black-throated wattle-eye, common scimitarbill, palm-nut vulture and Knysna turaco. The current bird list for Pigeon Valley includes 162[3] species. Now (Nov 2023) 167 species recorded out of 879 recorded by BLSA (List of birds of South Africa).

The Spotted ground thrush is of particular note, as Pigeon Valley is one of the places where this endangered bird can be most reliably found in winter. It arrives typically in late March or early April, and is present until August or September; earliest arrival date recorded has been 22 March and latest (in 2015) 5 October, apart from a single January sighting. Summer migrants include, occasionally, black cuckoo, red-chested cuckoo and red-backed shrike.

Bird list

Bird list for Pigeon Valley
FamilySpeciesStatusNotes
ApalisBar-throatedBreeding resident
ApalisYellow-breastedBreeding resident
Barbet Acacia Pied Rare visitor July 2021
BarbetBlack-collaredBreeding resident Recent decline in numbers
BarbetCrestedOccasional visitor
BarbetWhite-earedBreeding residentIncreasing in number
BatisCapeBreeding resident
BatisChinspotOccasional visitor
Bee-eaterLittleOccasional visitor
BlackcapBlackRare visitor22 August 2020
BoubouSouthernBreeding resident
BrownbulTerrestrialBreeding resident
BulbulDark-cappedBreeding resident
BuntingGolden-breastedOccasional visitorApril 1992, 30 March 2013
Bush-ShrikeGorgeousRare visitor2007
Bush-ShrikeGrey-headedOccasional visitor2012; winter 2014, 2019-2020
Bush-ShrikeOliveWinter and spring visitor
Bush-ShrikeOrange-breastedOccasional visitorLast seen 2011
BuzzardSteppeInfrequent visitorMarch 2019
CamaropteraGreen-backedBreeding resident
CanaryBrimstoneRegular visitor
CanaryYellow-frontedRegularly present
ChatFamiliarOccasional visitor
CisticolaZittingRare visitorPair present 2015; 2020
CoucalBurchell'sBreeding residentFirst recent breeding 2021
Crested-FlycatcherBlue-mantledRare visitorFemale present 2014-6
CrowPiedOccasional visitor
Cuckoo-Hawk African Rare visitor Present June 2014
CuckooBlackOccasional summer visitor
CuckooCommonRare visitor1979; November 2018
CuckooDiederikRegular summer visitor
CuckooEmeraldOccasional summer visitor
CuckooJacobinRare visitorOctober 2016
CuckooKlaas'sBreeding residentBreeding 2014
CuckooRed-chestedOccasional summer visitor2015, 2017
CuckooshrikeBlackOccasional visitorMainly winter
CuckooshrikeGreyRare visitorMainly winter
DoveLaughingBreeding resident
DoveLemonRare visitor2012, 2018
DoveRed-eyedBreeding resident
DoveRockOccasional visitor
DoveTambourineBreeding resident
DrongoFork-tailedBreeding resident
DrongoSquare-tailedBreeding resident
DuckWhite-faced WhistlingInfrequent visitorNovember 2017
EagleAfrican CrownedOccasional visitor
Eagle-OwlSpottedOccasional visitor
FalconLannerOccasional visitor
FirefinchAfricanBreeding resident
FirefinchRed-billedBreeding residentFirst sighting January 2015; now established
FiscalCommonNot seen in recent years
FlufftailBuff-spottedBreeding residentSeen regularly
Flycatcher African Paradise Breeding resident
FlycatcherAshyBreeding resident
FlycatcherDuskyBreeding resident
FlycatcherFiscalRegular winter visitor
FlycatcherSouthern BlackBreeding resident
FlycatcherSpottedUncommon summer visitorPresent late 2014
Goose Egyptian Breeding resident
GoshawkAfricanBreeding resident
GreenbulSombreBreeding resident
GreenbulYellow-belliedBreeding residentFirst recent breeding 2021
HamerkopHamerkopOccasional visitor
Harrier-HawkAfricanRegular visitor
HeronBlack-headedOccasional visitor
HobbyEurasianRare visitorMarch 2015
Honey-BuzzardEuropeanRare visitorFirst sighting January 2015
HoneybirdBrown-backedOccasional visitor
HoneyguideGreaterRare visitorNot seen in recent years
HoneyguideLesserUsually present
HoneyguideScaly-throatedOccasional visitor
HoopoeAfricanOccasional visitor
HornbillCrownedRare visitor2015
HornbillTrumpeterRare visitor2011
IbisHadedaBreeding resident
IndigobirdVillageUncertain as yetFirst sighted June 2019
Kingfisher African Pygmy Occasional visitor
KingfisherBrown-hoodedBreeding resident
Kingfisher Malachite Dry season Roberts VII
KingfisherMangroveRare visitor2011, March 2016, 8 October 2017
KiteYellow-billedBreeding migrant
MalkohaGreenInfrequent visitor2010, 2017-8
MannikinBronzeBreeding resident
MannikinRed-backedBreeding resident
MartinRockOccasional visitor
Mousebird Red-faced Breeding resident
MousebirdSpeckledBreeding resident
MynaCommonFrequent visitor
NightjarEuropeanRare visitor2013; 18 December 2014
NightjarFiery-neckedOccasional visitor
OrioleBlack-headedBreeding resident
Owl Southern White-faced Rare vagrant July 2018
OwlWestern BarnRare visitorRecord from 1979, April 2023
ParakeetRose-ringedRegular visitor
PigeonAfrican GreenRecord from 1979
PriniaTawny-flankedBreeding resident
PuffbackBlack-backedBreeding resident
QueleaRed-billedRare visitorDecember 2017
RobinWhite-starredRare visitorNot seen in recent years
Robin-ChatCapeOccasional visitorMainly winter
Robin-ChatChoristerOccasional visitorMainly winter
Robin-ChatRed-cappedBreeding resident
Saw-wingBlackRegular visitor
ScimitarbillCommonRare visitor11 November 2016
Scrub RobinWhite-browedFormerly breeding resident
SeedeaterStreaky-headedBreeding resident
ShrikeRed-backedInfrequent summer visitorPresent Nov 2015
SparrowHouseOccasional visitor
SparrowSouthern grey-headedOccasional visitor
SparrowhawkBlackBreeding resident
SparrowhawkLittleOccasional visitor
SpurfowlNatalBreeding resident
StarlingBlack-belliedBreeding resident
StarlingCape GlossyBreeding resident
StarlingRed-wingedRegularly present
StarlingViolet-backedOccasional summer visitor
StonechatAfricanRare visitorNot seen in recent years
StorkWoolly-neckedOccasional visitor
SunbirdAmethystBreeding resident
SunbirdCollaredBreeding resident
SunbirdGreyBreeding resident
SunbirdOliveBreeding resident
SunbirdPurple-bandedRegular visitorWinter
SunbirdWhite-belliedBreeding resident
SwallowBarnRegular visitorSummer
SwallowLesser-stripedRegular visitor
SwallowWhite-throatedOccasional visitor
Swift African Palm Regularly present
SwiftAlpineRare visitorNot seen in recent years
SwiftBlackRare visitor
SwiftLittleRegularly present
SwiftWhite-rumpedOccasional visitor
TchagraSouthernRare visitor2017, 2018
ThrushKurrichaneBreeding resident
ThrushOliveWinter visitorPresent March 2014, 2018
Thrush Spotted Ground Regular migrant April to September; November 2014; January 2016
TinkerbirdRed-frontedOccasional visitorOctober 2017, July 2020
TinkerbirdYellow-rumpedBreeding resident
TitSouthern blackBreeding resident
TrogonNarinaOccasional visitor
TuracoKnysnaRare visitorSeptember 1991; 1 October 2017
TuracoPurple-crestedBreeding resident
TwinspotGreenRegular visitorBreeding record 2014
VulturePalm-nutRare visitor22 October 2017, May 2020
WagtailCapeOccasional visitor
WagtailMountainRare visitorSeen once in 1990s, again in 2013
WarblerBarratt'sInfrequent winter visitorJune 2014, 2017
WarblerGardenRare visitorPresent winter 2015
WarblerKnysnaRare visitor20 August 2017, 2018
WarblerMarshSummer visitorSeveral 2017-9
WarblerWillowRare summer visitorDecember 2014
Warbler Yellow-throated Woodland Rare visitor, winter 13 August 2016
Wattle-eyeBlack-throatedRare visitor2013; present in 2015
WaxbillCommonRegular visitor
WaxbillGreyBreeding resident
Weaver Cape Breeding resident
WeaverDark-backedBreeding resident
WeaverSpectacledRegularly present
WeaverThick-billedBreeding resident
WeaverVillageBreeding resident
WeaverYellowRare visitorWinter 2015
White-eyeCapeBreeding resident
Wood-hoopoeGreenRegular visitor
WoodpeckerCardinalBreeding resident
WoodpeckerGolden-tailedBreeding resident
WoodpeckerOliveRare visitor2009, 2017, 2018, 2019-2020
WhydahPin-tailedIrregular visitor2015, 2017

Butterflies

The reserve is excellent for its butterflies, and the total listing is now 95 species. In September 2018 the first pupae of the short-barred sapphire were found on a Celtis mildbraedii tree. The host plant is the Oncocalyx quinquenervius mistletoe, which grows profusely on the tree. Subsequently a red-line sapphire was found at the same spot. The first forest queen was found in 2019.

Butterflies of Pigeon Valley
Family or subfamilyCommon nameScientific name
MonarchAfrican MonarchDanaus chrysippus orientis
NoviceAmauris ochlea ochlea
LaymanAmauris albimaculata albimaculata
BrownsAfrican RingletYpthima asterope
Common Bush BrownBicyclus safitza safitza
Squinting Bush BrownBicyclus anynana anynana
Twilight BrownMelanitis leda helena
AcraeasBlood-red AcraeaAcraea petraea
Common WandererAcraea aganice aganice
Dancing AcraeaTelchinia serena
Dusky AcraeaTelchinia esebria esebria
Dusky-veined AcraeaTelchinia igola
Natal AcraeaAcraea natalica
White-barred AcraeaTelchinia encedon encedon
Window AcraeaAcraea oncaea
Yellow-banded AcraeaTelchinia cabira
LeopardsBlotched LeopardLachnoptera ayresii
Forest LeopardPhalanta eurytis imitator
EmperorsBlue-spotted EmperorCharaxes cithaeron cithaeron
Forest QueenCharaxes wakefieldi
Green-veined EmperorCharaxes candiope candiope
Pearl EmperorCharaxes varanes varanes
Satyr EmperorCharaxes ethalion ethalion
Silver-barred EmperorCharaxes druceanus druceanus
White-barred EmperorCharaxes brutus natalensis
Gliders/SailersBlonde GliderCymothoe coranus coranus
Boisduval's False AcraeaPseudacraea boisduvali trimeni
Boisduval's Tree NymphSevenia boisduvali
False ChiefPseudacraea lucretia tarquinia
False WandererPseudacrea eurytus imitator
Golden PiperEurytela dryope angulata
Natal Tree NymphSevenia natalensis
Pied PiperEurytela hiarbas angustata
Spotted JokerByblia ilithyia
Spotted SailerNeptis saclava marpessa
Diadems/PansiesBlue PansyJunonia oenone oenone
Brown PansyJunonia natalica natalica
Clouded Mother-of-pearlProtogoniomorpha anacardii nebulosa
Common DiademHypolimnas misippus
Common Mother-of-PearlProtogoniomorpha parhassus
Eyed PansyJunonia orithya madagascariensis
Garden InspectorPrecis archesia archesia
Painted LadyVanessa cardui
Soldier PansyJunonia terea elgiva
Variable DiademHypolimnas anthedon wahlbergi
BuffSpotted BuffPentila tropicalis tropicalis
SapphiresRed-line SapphireIolaus sidus
Short-barred SapphireIolaus aemulus
Southern SapphireIolaus silas
BluesAfrican Grass BlueZizeeria knysna
Apricot PlayboyDeudorix dinochare
Barker's Smoky BlueEuchrysops barkeri
Black PieTuxentius melaena melaena
Brown PlayboyDeudorix antalus
Bush BronzeCacyreus lingeus
Common Black-eyeLeptomyrina gorgias gorgias
Common Blue groupLeptotes sp.
Gaika BlueZizula hylax
Geranium BronzeCacyreus marshalli
Grass JewelChilades trochylus
Long-tailed BlueLampides boeticus
Osiris Smoky BlueEuchrysops osiris
Purple-brown HairstreakHypolycaena philippus philippus
Rayed BlueActizera lucida
Scarce Fig-tree BlueMyrina dermaptera dermaptera
Thorn-tree BlueAzanus moriqua
Twin-spot BlueLepidochrysops plebeia
VagrantsAutumn-leaf VagrantAfrodryas leda
Buquet's Vagrant/Green-eyed MonsterNepheronia buquetii
Vine-leaf VagrantEronia cleodora
TipsCoast Purple TipColotis erone
Smoky Orange TipColotis euippe omphale
WhitesAfrican Common WhiteBelenois creona severina
African MigrantCatopsilia florella
African Wood WhiteLeptosia alcesta inalcesta
Angled Grass YellowEurema desjardinsii marshalli
Ant-heap Small WhiteDixeia pigea
Broad-bordered Grass YellowEurema brigitta brigitta
Brown-veined WhiteBelenois aurota aurota
Common Dotted BorderMylothris agathina
Common Grass YellowEurema hecabe senegalensis
Diverse WhiteAppias epaphia contracta
False Dotted BorderBelenois thysa thysa
Twin Dotted BorderMylothris rueppellii haemus
SwallowtailsCitrus SwallowtailPapilio demodocus demodocus
Green-banded SwallowtailPapilio nireus lyaeus
Mocker SwallowtailPapilio dardanus cenea
SkippersBuff-tippedNatrobalane canopus
Clouded FlatTagiades flesus
Common Hottentot SkipperGegenes niso niso
ElfinsSmall ElfinSarangesa phidyle
SylphsGold Spotted SylphMetisella metis paris
DartsMacken's DartAcleros mackenii
SwiftsLong-horned SwiftBorbo fatuellus fatuellus

Plants

A Natal elm, showing its extensive buttressing, Pigeon Valley, May 2013

There are over 110 species of trees occurring in Pigeon Valley, almost all of which are locally indigenous.[4] Pigeon Valley is also notable for large stands of buckweed (Isoglossa woodii), which grow in more open areas under the forest canopy and in forest glades. In recent years there have been a few discoveries of plants not previously identified.

Pigeon Valley is unique in having large numbers of the rare Natal elm, and of Natal forest loquat. A Cryptocarya specimen found adjacent to the main track has so far not been definitively identified; it may be a species seldom found in the area (C. liebertiana) or alternatively a hybrid (C. latifolia and C. woodii).

A spotted ground thrush in this urban reserve, where it is a winter visitor

Public access

The reserve is open from 07:30 to 16:00 daily throughout the year. The entrance is in Princess Alice Avenue, Glenwood, opposite Rhodes Avenue.

Community

An active grouping, Friends of Pigeon Valley, undertakes clearing of invasive alien plants, ensuring that the park is unusually free of alien species. It also liaises with management to ensure the biodiversity of the reserve and the wellbeing of visitors. It also liaises with the municipal managers of the reserve to address relevant issues. The Friends operate a monthly walk open to the public on the second Saturday of each month, at 07h30. There is a Facebook page, Friends of Pigeon Valley, at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfPigeonValley/.

See also

References

  1. Bodenstein, J. (2009)
  2. Birds in Reserves, ADU
  3. "BIRP Site summary | Pigeon Valley Park (149)". birp.adu.org.za. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010.
  4. Hemson, C. (2014)

Bibliography

  • Pooley, T. and Player, I. (1995). KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Destinations. ISBN 1-86812-487-8.

29°51′52″S 30°59′19″E / 29.86444°S 30.98861°E / -29.86444; 30.98861

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