Gauteng is the de facto business capital of South Africa, and indeed the entire African Continent. As a result much of the province is under human development, whether it be residential, industrial, roads, agriculture or mining. The province lies within South Africa's Highveld, and the few remaining natural habitats that exist for birdlife consist of the high altitudinal grasslands of the south east, and the bushveld habitas to the north. Suikerbosrand in the south east is one of the last strongholds for the critical grassland habitats, while Dinokeng in the north features both grasslands and bushveld habitats. There is also a few significant wetlands, including the famous Marievale Bird Sanctuary which forms part of the Blesbokspruit Wetlands. Just north west of Johannesberg lies a small oasis for birds, namely the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, that features the infamous nesting pair of Verraux's Eagles. Here is my Top 10 Bird Specials for Gauteng.
1.) Ovambo Sparrowhawk
2.) Ayres's Hawk Eagle
3.) Cuckoo Finch
4.) Black-winged Pratincole
5.) Melodious Lark
6.) Pink-billed Lark
7.) Tinkling Cisticola
8.) White-winged Tern
9.) Verraux's Eagle
10.) African Grass Owl
A massive thanks to Niel Cillie (aka The Raptor Expert), for letting us use his absolutely breathtaking photos of an Ayres's Hawk Eagle, and an Ovambo Sparrowhawk.