Page 1 of 2
A Royal Treat at Nylsvley Nature Reserve *
Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 4:34 pm
by Sharifa
We were wondering where to go for the long weekend of the 21 March 2013, also we were looking for a birding weekend. Nylsvley came up and so I phoned to find out if they had any accommodation. I was told they only had the presidential suite left, if I wanted it.
Oh dear, that sounded pretty expensive but anyway I asked, "How much did it cost?"
R750 came the reply
I thought, now what could be wrong with the Presidential suite to be so cheap. Anyway crossing my fingers, I said, "Alright I will take it."
What a pleasant surprise when we got there
That is the presidential suite from the outside
As you can see it has a bamboo fence so completely private
The living room with antique furniture
Four poster bed
Bathroom
Kitchen
Outdoor Shower
Jacuzi
All this for R750 plus an impressive bird list
Re: A Royal Treat at Nylsvley Nature Reserve
Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 8:28 pm
by Sharifa
Flutterby, Dewi, Amoli, Bushcraft, Mel, nan
Just sitting on the Porch and in the jacuzi area will reveal the following birds
Go away Bird
Crested Barbet
Speckled Mousebirds
Double Collared Sunbird - greater or lesser
Black-headed Oriole
Paradise fly catcher
Female Amerthyst Sunbird
Black-capped Bulbul
Re: A Royal Treat at Nylsvley Nature Reserve
Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 9:14 pm
by Dewi
Re: A Royal Treat at Nylsvley Nature Reserve
Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 8:46 pm
by Sharifa
Flutterby, Pumbaa, Bushcraft, pooky and Lisbeth
Pumbaa I think you being a birder will appreciate Nylsvley much more. I am sure I missed a lot by not recognising the bird calls
Lisbeth -O the birds waited till I was in the jacuzzi before they would sit in the open and then there was no way to get pics and when I came out they disappeared
A map of the Reserve which will put everything in perspective. The Lodge was close to the entrance and there are a few roads and the Jacana Bird Hide overlooking the floodplain. For the hides at Vogelfontein you have to exit the park and drive for about 10 minutes. You will get the combination for the locks to the gate to enter to get to the Dabchick, Crake and Kingfisher hides.
We went to the Jacana one first. On the way we saw wildebeest, giraffe andTsessebe. Roan and sable are lsited as are caracal, leopard, aarvark and aardwolf.
First the beautiful sunrise
On the drive we saw
Red-billed Hornbill
Spotted Flycatcher - I think
A little help please Dewi
European Bee-eaters
Crested Francolin
Barn Swallow
Woodlands Kingfisher
African Stonechat
Little Bee-eater
Starling
Re: A Royal Treat at Nylsvley Nature Reserve
Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 9:04 pm
by Dewi
Great bird pics again Sharifa. Looks like a great place.
Spot on with the Flycatcher.
The Starling is a Burchell's.
More of the same please, I'm enjoying seeing your photos.
Re: A Royal Treat at Nylsvley Nature Reserve
Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 8:15 pm
by Sharifa
Re: A Royal Treat at Nylsvley Nature Reserve
Posted: Sat May 11, 2013 10:05 am
by Dewi
Re: A Royal Treat at Nylsvley Nature Reserve
Posted: Sun May 12, 2013 5:17 pm
by Sharifa
There are 3 hides on the Vogelfontein side and like I said you get a combination for the locks to the gates. We found the Dabchick Hide to be thye most productive. There are aslo walking trails and we did a few short ones and saw the same birds as from the hides. There were many Amur Falcons and lesser Kestrels flying around. Some birds we saw from the Dabchick Hide
Female Amur Falcon
Spur Winged Geese regularly flew past
A Black Headed Heron
A Cattle Egret???
Re: A Royal Treat at Nylsvley Nature Reserve
Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 6:01 pm
by Sharifa
Thank You nan, Toko, Lisbeth, Flutterby, Mel
White faced ducks
African Purple Swamphen
African Marsh Harrier, I think??????
African Stone Chat
White winged widow bird
And that was our Nylsvlei Birding weekend
Re: A Royal Treat at Nylsvley Nature Reserve
Posted: Mon May 13, 2013 6:34 pm
by Dewi
Missed out on your previous post here. Great shots of the Amur & Geese in flight.
Superb pics of the Harrier in flight.
You got the ID correct as well.
Must make a point of visiting here next time I'm in SA.
Thanks for posting this Sharifa.