Lochinvar National Park is an impressive bird sanctuary, with more than 420 species recorded in a small area. Apart from small numbers of buffalo, there are no dangerous mammals, so you can leave your car at any time. Walk around the Chunga Lagoon to spot lots of waders and other waterbirds. The woodland and grassland areas offer some interesting specials such as Hartlaub’s babbler and rosy-throated longclaw. The park is known to be good for raptors too; look out for the marsh harrier patrolling over the reeds.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
- African pygmy goose
- African skimmer
- African swamphen
- Baillon’s crake
- Bar-tailed godwit
- Black sparrowhawk
- Caspian tern
- Coppery-tailed coucal
- Denham’s bustard
- Greater flamingo
- Hartlaub’s babbler
- Lesser flamingo
- Locust finch
- Northern shoveler
- Osprey
- Pacific golden plover
- Peregrine falcon
- Peter’s twinspot
- Red-knobbed coot
- Rosy-throated longclaw
- Southern pochard
- Spotted redshank
- Swamp flycatcher
- Wattled crane
- Western marsh harrier
- White-bellied bustard
- Yellow-throated sandgrouse
Best Time for Bird Watching
Lochinvar is a wonderful birding destination throughout the year. The best time for birders is when the migrant species are present and when many birds are in breeding plumage. This equates to the wet summer months, from December to April.