Jozi’s Birds

Since the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand over a hundred years ago, the character of what is now greater Johannesburg has changed from what was predominantly a grassland to what is now recognised as the “largest exotic forest in the world”. Such sweeping changes have obviously impacted on local birdlife – with most of the grassland species having had to make way for accelerating urban sprawl. What is interesting however are the new species that have, and continue to establish themselves in our suburbs.

In 1945, when the first edition of Roberts Birds of Southern Africa was published, the Karoo Thrush was not recorded from the area – now it is one of our more common garden birds. The Grey Go-away-bird was followed by the Ovambo Goshawk, Little Sparrowhawk and African Olive Pigeon. All are now increasingly reported from local gardens.

The recent droughts brought unprecedented numbers of Southern White-faced Owls into our suburbs, along with both Orange-breasted-, and Grey-headed Bush-Shrikes. Both of the latter have bred within the city’s limits and we could be seeing the early stages of yet further species establishing themselves on our doorsteps. With global climate in a state of flux who knows what could pitch up next?

Over the past six years I have recorded 17 new species for Delta Park. Most arrived as a result of the severe droughts during 2002 and again earlier this year and in many cases they moved back to their normal Bushveld haunts as soon as the rains began. Some, however, stayed and have bred successfully. Delta is not unique and similar changes are happening in gardens throughout the city so get out into your gardens, keep your eyes open and keep records of all the new birds that you see in the garden. Geoff Lockwood