Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

2 weeks ago

𝘿𝘼𝘽𝘾𝙃𝙄𝘾𝙆 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝘽𝙄𝙍𝘿𝙎
𝐃𝐖𝐑 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡!
February 2026
Black Cuckooshrike (𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙜𝙖 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙫𝙖)
𝐈𝐔𝐂𝐍 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬: Least Concern 

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🔍 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
The Black Cuckooshrike is a sleek, medium-sized passerine often found in woodland and savanna habitats. Males exhibit striking glossy black plumage, while females are more subtly coloured — greyish with olive tones and fine barring. Its long tail and streamlined build make it an elegant yet unobtrusive presence in the treetops. 

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💡 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖?
🪶 Black Cuckooshrikes are often encountered in pairs, quietly gleaning insects from leaves and branches in woodland and forest edges. 
🪶 Their call is a high-pitched trill that can reveal their presence long before they are seen.
🪶 In southern Africa they breed mainly from September to March, with the female building a shallow cup nest high in the tree forks. 
🪶 They feed primarily on insects — including caterpillars, grasshoppers and ants — and may occasionally take fruit. 

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🏞 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 & 𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓
This species ranges widely across sub-Saharan Africa, from southern Sudan and Kenya through to southern Africa, favouring broadleaf woodlands, forest edges and mature riparian vegetation. 

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🪺 𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 & 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆
The nest is a neat cup of moss, lichens and spider web, placed high in the vertical fork of a branch. The female incubates 1–3 eggs while the male brings food to the nest. 

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🌍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄
While currently assessed as Least Concern, the Black Cuckooshrike depends on healthy woodland and forest edge ecosystems for breeding and foraging — highlighting the importance of conserving these habitats across the Waterberg Biosphere and beyond. 

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🗨”𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘊𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘱𝘺 — 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘢𝘵 𝘋𝘢𝘣𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬.”
— Drs Peter & Pamela Oberem

🗨”𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥. 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬-𝘢𝘯𝘥-𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘰𝘰 𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦 — 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘊𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘴.”
— Dr Pamela Oberem

🦆 Dabchick Wildlife Reserve offers outstanding birdwatching and photography opportunities.
📩 Reservations: admin@dabchick.co.za
🌐 More info: www.dabchick.co.za
@top fans
📍 As custodians of biodiversity, we are committed to preserving habitat, raising awareness, and supporting collaborative conservation action.

🎼 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬
ebird.org/species/blkcus1?siteLanguage=en_ZA
📸 Warwick Tarboton
Waterberg Biosphere Reserve
Waterberg Tourism
Rewilding Africa
BirdLife South Africa
BirdLife International

#ConserveWildlife #ProtectBiodiversity #Africa #DabchickWildlifeReserve #BirdsOfSouthernAfrica #CitizenScienceMatters #ConservationInAction ... See MoreSee Less

Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

1 month ago

𝘿𝘼𝘽𝘾𝙃𝙄𝘾𝙆 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝘽𝙄𝙍𝘿𝙎
𝐃𝐖𝐑 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡!
January 2026
🦅 Gabar Goshawk (𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙪𝙨 𝙜𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙧)
𝐈𝐔𝐂𝐍 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬: Least Concern
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🔍 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
A small but formidable raptor with a compact build, long legs and striking red eyes. Adults occur in two colour forms: a pale grey morph with a barred chest, and a rarer all-black (melanistic) morph. Despite its size, the Gabar Goshawk is bold, agile and highly territorial.
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💡 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖?
🪶 The Gabar Goshawk has a specialised and destructive hunting relationship with colonial weaver birds.
🪶 Rather than entering nests through narrow tunnels, it lands on top and tears through the woven roof using its beak and talons.
🪶 This allows it to remove eggs and chicks directly from inside the nest.
🪶 Weaver colonies often mob the goshawk in defence, but repeated raids can clear multiple nests in a single area.
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🏞 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 & 𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓
Widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, the Gabar Goshawk favours open woodland, savanna and thornveld, particularly areas supporting large weaver colonies. It is well adapted to both natural and modified landscapes.
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🪺 𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 & 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆
Its nest is a small, neat platform of fine twigs, usually placed high in the fork of a thorny tree such as an Acacia. Uniquely, Gabar Goshawks often incorporate live colonial spiders into the nest — their webs provide camouflage while the spiders help reduce parasites.
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🌍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄
Although listed as Least Concern, the Gabar Goshawk relies on healthy woodland systems and intact bird communities. Its presence is an indicator of functional predator–prey relationships within the ecosystem.
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🗨 “The Gabar Goshawk is small in stature but relentless in strategy — a remarkable reminder of how finely balanced predator and prey interactions are within our wetland and woodland systems.”
— Drs Peter & Pamela Oberem
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@top fans
🦆 Dabchick Wildlife Reserve offers outstanding birdwatching and wildlife photography opportunities.
📩 Reservations: admin@dabchick.co.za
🌐 More info: www.dabchick.co.za

📍 As custodians of biodiversity, we are committed to protecting habitat, raising awareness, and supporting collaborative conservation action.

🎼 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬
ebird.org/species/gabgos2?siteLanguage=en_ZA
📷 Warwick Tarboton

Waterberg Biosphere Reserve
Waterberg Tourism Waterberg Tourism Members Waterberg Nature Conservancy
Rewilding Africa REWILDING Southern Africa
BirdLife South Africa BirdLife International

#ConserveWildlife #ProtectBiodiversity #DabchickWildlifeReserve #BirdsOfSouthernAfrica #RewildingSouthernAfrica #CitizenScienceMatters #ConservationInAction ... See MoreSee Less

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Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

2 months ago

𝘿𝘼𝘽𝘾𝙃𝙄𝘾𝙆 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝘽𝙄𝙍𝘿𝙎
𝐃𝐖𝐑 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡!
𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
𝐑𝐄𝐃-𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐑 (𝘼𝙣𝙖𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙧𝙪𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙨)
𝐈𝐔𝐂𝐍 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬: Least Concern

🔍 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
The red-headed weaver is among Africa’s most striking birds — and arguably the most visually arresting of the weaver family.

Males are unmistakable, with a vivid scarlet head, bright orange-red bill and feet, a clean white belly, and yellow-edged wing panels. Females lack the red head but retain the bright orange bill.

💡𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖?
🪶 Red-headed weavers are largely insectivorous, feeding on spiders and insects gleaned from foliage — and even catching prey mid-air.
🪶 They often join mixed-species foraging parties, moving actively through trees and creepers.
🪶 Although primarily insect-eaters, they will occasionally feed on seeds and fruit.
🪶 Their distinctive nests, once abandoned, are frequently used by cut-throat finches for roosting and breeding.

🏞 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 & 𝐇𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓
This species favours wooded savanna, riverine woodland and well-treed wetlands across sub-Saharan Africa. At Dabchick Wildlife Reserve, they are often seen foraging in tall trees and are remarkably tolerant of human presence, sometimes nesting close to buildings.

🪺 𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 & 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆
Red-headed Weavers construct distinctive retort-shaped nests with long entrance tunnels, woven from freshly plucked leaf midribs that harden as they dry, forming a strong, rigid structure. Leaves are often entwined above the nest for added waterproofing.

Nests are typically placed in tall trees such as baobabs (𝘼𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙖) and ana trees (𝙁𝙖𝙞𝙙𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙗𝙞𝙖 𝙖𝙡𝙗𝙞𝙙𝙖), but are also commonly built on man-made structures near homes.

The species is polygynous, with a single male often constructing several nests to attract multiple females. Breeding takes place during the summer months.

🌍 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄
Listed as Least Concern, the red-headed weaver remains widespread and adaptable. Its success is closely linked to intact woodland and insect-rich environments, and its presence reflects a healthy, functioning ecosystem.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘯𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘰𝘰𝘴.”
— Drs Peter & Pamela Oberem

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘦𝘱 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳!”
— Dr Pamela Oberem
@top fans
🦆 Dabchick Wildlife Reserve offers outstanding bird watching and photography. Book your stay now!

📩 Reservations: admin@dabchick.co.za
🌐 More info: www.dabchick.co.za

📍 As custodians of biodiversity, we are committed to preserving habitat, raising awareness, and supporting collaborative conservation action.

🎼 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 & 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬
ebird.org/species/rehwea1

Waterberg Biosphere Reserve
Waterberg Tourism Rewilding Africa
BirdLife South Africa Waterberg-Nylsvley birding route guide BirdLife International

#ConserveWildlife #ProtectBiodiversity #Africa #DabchickWildlifeReserve #ProtectWhatMatters #RewildingSouthernAfrica #BirdsOfSouthernAfrica #CitizenScienceMatters #ConservationInAction ... See MoreSee Less

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Dabchick Wildlife Reserve

3 months ago

𝙍𝙚𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙝 🦏🦓🦒
𝘿𝙖𝙗𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚, 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙜

💡Dabchick Wildlife Reserve (DWR) has operated for more than thirty years and is dedicated to rewilding the Alma Valley and greater Waterberg District of Limpopo, South Africa. It has successfully rewilded 1 500 ha of formerly marginal and ecologically degraded agricultural land, transforming it into a comfortable nature-based retreat and an active learning environment where visitors can engage with rewilding, conservation practice and the complex ecological relationships that define the region’s biodiversity.
@top fans
The DWR Rewilding Programme offers groups of up to 12 participants the chance to experience practical, hands-on rewilding in a functioning bushveld reserve.
Waterberg Biosphere Reserve
Waterberg Tourism
𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙂𝙍𝘼𝙈𝙈𝙀 𝙊𝙑𝙀𝙍𝙑𝙄𝙀𝙒 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚
Activities vary by season:
• 𝙎𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜–𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 (𝘼𝙪𝙜–𝙈𝙖𝙧): high biological activity; ecological monitoring; restoration tasks.
• 𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙢𝙣–𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 (𝘼𝙥𝙧–𝙅𝙪𝙡): cooler conditions ideal for certain wildlife capture and veterinary work.

𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨
• 𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜: capture, care, release and monitoring of species such as antelope, rhino, buffalo, small predators, bushbabies, cranes, eagles, vultures, ground hornbills and selected reptiles.
• 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙞-𝙥𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙭𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨: patrols, use of technology, fitness training and firearm-handling instruction.
• 𝙀𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩: pasture management, population management, harvesting and processing to maintain sustainability.
• 𝘼𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙗𝙞𝙤𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡: initiation, implementation and monitoring of approved biocontrol programmes.
• 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡: paintballing (green hunting) and other methods for large mammals.
• 𝙑𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠: immobilisation for capture and relocation, emergency treatment and ID procedures.
• 𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙨: vehicle-based and drone-assisted surveys.
• 𝙃𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: erosion control, veld management and biodiversity enhancement work.

𝘼𝘾𝘾𝙊𝙈𝙈𝙊𝘿𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉
Stay in a private, unfenced safari-tented camp with close wildlife viewing:
• Five tents with two single beds each
• One tent with a double bed
• Solar power
• Wi-Fi
• Swimming pool
• Mountain and bushveld surroundings

𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿𝙇𝙄𝙁𝙀 𝙀𝙓𝙋𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙀𝙉𝘾𝙀𝙎
𝙂𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙒𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙨 & 𝙂𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨
Daily guided drives and walks explore the reserve’s fauna, flora and ecological processes.

𝙈𝙀𝘼𝙇𝙎
African-influenced cuisine prepared with fresh, locally sourced produce. Vegetarian meals available on request.

🐾 Programme options, dates and inclusions vary by season and group size.

🐾 View available packages and submit a request for quotation via the Dabchick Wildlife Reserve website:
www.dabchick.co.za/new-dabchicks-rewilding-programme/

𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙪𝙨!
Mobile:
+27 (0)82 821 6577 or +27 (0)82 822 7481
e-Mail: admin@dabchick.co.za or pete.pam@iafrica.com

#ConserveWildlife #ProtectBiodiversity #DabchickWildlifeReserve #Dabchick #Waterberg #Limpopo #RewildingAfrica #RewildingProgramme #WildlifeConservation #ConservationInAction #EcologicalRestoration #AfricanBush #NatureExperience #FieldBasedLearning ... See MoreSee Less

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