This is the 39th 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 will be on the Cape Batis.
I was asked to take an American birdwatcher and her South African contact around Pigeon Valley; as we neared the end we were suddenly surrounded by a family of birds calling around us, to our visitor’s complete delight. I had never seen the Cape Batis family so confident and confiding, but they are always charming. Of course, I pretended that I had somehow organised this welcoming display.
This little bird, with its colourful garb, is a favourite amongst those who know it. It moves around in the forest, gleaning insects, unlike its relative, the more common Chinspot Batis, that will be found typically on the outside of the forest. It seems to form a permanent bond with its mate.
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The call is sometimes a single note repeated three times and sometimes a rather quirky, conversational song. One of the places where it is likely to place its nest is the Buckweed, the Isoglossa woodii, that covers much of the reserve.
Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerts management to any problems.
The Friends have a monthly walk at 7.30am on the second Saturday of each month. Email: friendsofpigeonvalley1@gmail.com.
