Birding in the area can be very rewarding especially during the summer months. Nearly 400 different species have been identified within a 50 km radius of Dundee. This is due to the extremely varied habitat in the region ranging from mountains to river valleys and grassland to bushveld. Dundee town itself can be a treasure trove of birds, with the endemic Bald Ibis strolling around the school playing fields, Little Swifts flying around the mid-town buildings, the most easterly population of Karoo Thrush are common in town gardens and are often seen together with Kurrichane and Groundscraper Thrush. The highly elusive Green Sandpiper has been seen on the sewerage ponds and one of the nearby farm dams can produce water-birds such as the Great Crested Grebe and occasional Bittern. The dominant habitat is grassland which is alive with Cisticolas, Pipits and Larks, so this is a great place to come to grips with those difficult LBJs. One should be able to identify up to 100 birds in the town’s environs and at least 170 on MpatiMountain with Talana Hill being a good birding site.
