St Lucia birds

Birding was one of the great pleasures of our time in St Lucia and iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Between our estuary boat trips and drives through the park, we saw an excellent variety of waterbirds and bush birds in beautiful surroundings. Highlights included three different species of kingfisher, a magnificent goliath heron, African fish eagles, darters, ducks, Burchell’s coucals and Caspian terns. The most exciting sighting of all though was undoubtedly the African finfoot — a famously elusive bird that we were incredibly fortunate to see so well.

African fish eagle - first sighting

There is something about the African fish eagle that completely epitomises Africa for me. Their haunting, unmistakable call drifting across rivers, lakes and estuaries instantly evokes the wildness and spirit of the continent. No matter how many times I see or hear them, I never grow tired of it. For me, they are one of the true soundtrack birds of Africa.

African fish eagle - 2nd sighting

We saw this beautiful African fish eagle on our final morning before heading back. It felt like a wonderfully fitting farewell from the wilds of Zululand and the perfect way to end our time in St Lucia.

Goliath heron

We had an excellent close-up view of a Goliath heron from the boat on the estuary. As the world’s largest heron, it was immediately striking because of its sheer size, massive bill and rich chestnut colouring. It stood quietly at the water’s edge watching for prey, giving us plenty of time to appreciate the detail and scale of this impressive bird.

Pied kingfisher

The Pied kingfisher is a wonderfully nostalgic bird for me, and I never tire of watching the way it hovers so precisely above the water before plunging down after fish.

Giant kingfisher

The giant kingfisher was another wonderful sighting. Huge, striking and unmistakable, it is the largest kingfisher in Africa and one of the biggest in the world — only the famous Kookaburra is larger.

Malachite kingfisher

We were thrilled when Jo spotted a tiny Malachite kingfisher perched quietly near the water’s edge. They really are like little jewels, with their dazzling electric blue and orange colouring glowing in the sunlight. Despite their small size, they are impossible to forget once you see them properly, and I absolutely love them. It was a fantastic spot by Jo and one of my favourite bird sightings of our time in St Lucia.

Darter and cormorants

We saw an African darter, or snake bird, perched beside the estuary with its long neck, sharp bill and distinctive shape making it instantly recognisable.

We frequently saw Reed cormorant perched around the estuary, often spreading their wings out to dry in the sun after diving for fish.

Reed Cormorant 

African finfoot

This sighting of an African finfoot in the St Lucia estuary was undoubtedly the greatest birding highlight of our entire trip. It was only my second proper sighting of this famously elusive and highly secretive bird. Earlier in the trip, I had briefly glimpsed one in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park — just a few seconds in poor light as it darted for cover along a river we were driving past. We returned the next morning hoping for another look, but there was no sign of it. Then, later that very same day after arriving in St Lucia, we encountered this bird on the estuary boat trip. What an extraordinary synchronicity.

The sighting itself was incredible. We had amazingly close views and even watched the finfoot climb out of the water, something that is apparently very rarely seen. Its striking red legs were absolutely gorgeous. I was in complete ecstasy. Moments like this are exactly why birding can bring such immense joy.

African jacana

One of the most fascinating birds we saw was the African jacana, often nicknamed the “Jesus bird” because it appears to walk on water. Its unbelievably long toes spread its weight across floating lily pads and aquatic vegetation, letting it stroll across the surface of wetlands with ease. It always looks slightly magical and improbable, as though it should sink at any moment but never does.

Ducks

Red-billed Teal

White-backed Duck

Lesser Whistling Duck

White-fronted plover 

I captured this little White-fronted plover scurrying across the beach at Cape Vidal. Like so many small shorebirds, it moved with incredible speed and energy as it darted over the sand near the water’s edge.

Burchell's coucal

The Burchell's coucal is another deeply nostalgic bird for me, one that instantly evokes memories of the African bushveld. I was absolutely delighted to get so many good photographs of this beautiful and rather secretive bird during our Zululand adventure.

Cattle Egret

Caspian tern

I loved photographing this Caspian tern in flight from the boat. Terns always seem incredibly aerial and graceful, effortlessly gliding, hovering and twisting above the water with such elegance and precision.

Water dikkop

A water thick-knee, or water dikkop as it is commonly known in South Africa, with its wonderfully cryptic plumage, large yellow eyes and distinctive, slightly comical appearance.