Exploring Pigeon Valley: Autumn transition
The riches of Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve explained by Glenwood resident and chair of the Friends of Pigeon Valley.
This is the 113th article in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article is on the Autumn transition.
I know we tend to say that Durban has no seasons, but nature tells us that we do. It still rains (a lot, at and near the reserve) but there are unmistakeable transitions that occur at this time of year.
One sign is the arrival of Purple-banded Sunbirds, many of which, like this young male, are in transitional plumage. At first sight, the shoulder flash of irridescence suggested a Grey Sunbird, but that is otherwise entirely in shades of grey, with a long bill. The transitional White-Bellied Sunbird also has a long bill, and the lower part of the front is white. I notice an increase also in other Sunbirds, such as the Amethyst, while the Grey Waxbills seem to be in ever-increasing flocks.
Also read: Exploring Pigeon Valley: Dwarf Chameleon
Another sign is the increased visibility of butterflies; we see more and a greater diversity than was possible in summer. Some plants now come into flower; in sunlight, the Dune Soapberry (Deinbollia oblongifolia) is a particular drawcard, constantly crowded with bees, butterflies, wasps and other insects that in turn draw those birds that feast on them.
Also read: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Gaudy Commodore
One advantage for those of us who do alien clearing – the Ipomoea indica, the alien and highly invasive creeper that once dominated much of the reserve and is still hidden in its thorny thickets, has a blue to purple flower that separates it out from the pink flowers of the indigenous ipomoea.
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