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{{for|the Pigeon Valley in Turkey|Uçhisar}}
{{more footnotes|date=May 2021}}
{{Use South African English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
] ]
'''Pigeon Valley''' is a '''Natural Heritage Park''' and formally declared municipal nature reserve in ], ]. It is an unusual example of an urban reserve with very high levels of biodiversity. It was established to provide protection for the ] (''Celtis mildbraedii'') and other forest giants of the coastal ].<ref>Bodenstein, J. (2009)</ref> Another rare tree that occurs here is ] (''Oxyanthus pyriformis'') which is ] to the Durban area and to ]. Pigeon Valley is about 11ha in extent, and is situated on the ], overlooking Durban Bay. Its unusual north-south orientation may contribute to the biodiversity, with the south-facing slope covered in canopy forest, while the north-facing slope has thorny thickets. An adjoining reservoir, previously part of the reserve, provides a patch of coastal grassland. '''Pigeon Valley''' is a Natural Heritage Park and formally declared municipal nature reserve in ], ] (29.8646° S, 30.9869° E). It is an unusual example of an urban reserve with very high levels of biodiversity. It was established to provide protection for the ] (''Celtis mildbraedii'') and other forest giants of the coastal ].<ref>Bodenstein, J. (2009)</ref> Another rare tree that occurs here is ] (''Oxyanthus pyriformis''), which is ] to the Durban area and to ].
]
Pigeon Valley is about 11&nbsp;ha in extent, and is situated on the ], overlooking Durban Bay. Its unusual north-south orientation may contribute to the biodiversity, with the south-facing slope covered in canopy forest, while the north-facing slope has thorny thickets. An adjoining reservoir, previously part of the reserve, provides a patch of coastal grassland.


==Animals== ==Animals==
{{multiple image {{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical | direction = vertical
| header = | align = right
| header_align = center | caption_align = center
| width = 250


| image1 = Red Duiker Pigeon Valley 09 05 2010.JPG | image1 = Red Duiker Pigeon Valley 09 05 2010.JPG
| alt1 = | alt1 =
| caption1 = ] at Pigeon Valley
| width1 = 250
| caption1 = <center>] at Pigeon Valley</center>


| image2 = Male Buff-spotted Flufftail in Pigeon Valley, Durban, South Africa, on 26 Jan 2014.jpg | image2 = Male Buff-spotted Flufftail in Pigeon Valley, Durban, South Africa, on 26 Jan 2014.jpg
| alt2 = | alt2 =
| caption2 = Male ] in Pigeon Valley, January 2014
| width2 = 250
| caption2 = <center>Male ] in Pigeon Valley, January 2014</center>
| background color=;border:none;
}} }}


The park is home to ] and ]. There is a troop of ]s as well as ] and ]s. Blue ]s are constantly present. The park is home to ] and ]. Other mammals include ], a troop of ]s as well as ] and ]s. Blue ]s are constantly present. In July 2019, a ] was seen in neighbouring roads and was apparently living in the reserve for a time. This may be the southernmost sighting of this species.


Various species of forest birds are found here including; ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The ] breeds here annually. Another bird that is seldom seen but that is generally present is ].<ref></ref> Unusual sightings of note in recent years include ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The current bird list for Pigeon Valley includes 158<ref>http://birp.adu.org.za/site_summary.php?site=29523059</ref> species. The reserve was named after the Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, which is now locally extinct. Various species of forest birds are found here including; ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The ] breeds here annually. There are increasingly common visits by the ], and it seems that two birds are now resident in the suburban area. Another bird that is seldom seen but that is generally present is ].<ref></ref> Unusual sightings of note in recent years include ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The current bird list for Pigeon Valley includes 162<ref>{{cite web |url=http://birp.adu.org.za/site_summary.php?site=29523059 |title=BIRP Site summary {{!}} Pigeon Valley Park (149) |website=birp.adu.org.za |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205145941/http://birp.adu.org.za/site_summary.php?site=29523059 |archive-date=2010-12-05}} </ref> species. Now (Nov 2023) 167 species recorded out of 879 recorded by BLSA (]).


The Spotted Ground-Thrush is of particular note, as Pigeon Valley is one of the places where this endangered bird can be most reliably found in winter. It arrives typically in late March or early April, and is present until August or September; in 2015 it was present until 5 October. Summer migrants include, occasionally, ], ] and ]. The ] is of particular note, as Pigeon Valley is one of the places where this endangered bird can be most reliably found in winter. It arrives typically in late March or early April, and is present until August or September; earliest arrival date recorded has been 22 March and latest (in 2015) 5 October, apart from a single January sighting. Summer migrants include, occasionally, ], ] and ].


=== Bird list ===

{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable sortable"
'''Bird list for Pigeon Valley''' |+ Bird list for Pigeon Valley
|- |-
| Number || Family || Species || Status || Notes ! Family !! Species !! Status !! Notes
|- |-
| 1 || Apalis || Barthroated || Breeding resident || | ] || Bar-throated || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
| 2 || Apalis || Yellow-breasted || Breeding resident|| | Apalis || Yellow-breasted || Breeding resident||
|- |-
|Barbet
| 3|| Barbet || Black-collared || Breeding resident
|Acacia Pied
|Rare visitor
|July 2021
|-
| Barbet || Black-collared || Breeding resident
|| Recent decline in numbers || Recent decline in numbers
|- |-
| 4 || Barbet || White-eared || Breeding resident || Increasing in number | Barbet || Crested || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
| 5 || Barbet || Crested || Occasional visitor || | Barbet || White-eared || Breeding resident || Increasing in number
|-
| ] || Cape || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
| 6 || Batis || Cape || Breeding resident || | Batis || Chinspot || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
| 7 || Batis || Chinspot || Breeding resident || | Bee-eater || Little || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
| 8 || Bee-eater || Little || Occasional visitor || | Blackcap || Black || Rare visitor || 22 August 2020
|- |-
| 9 || Boubou || Southern || Breeding resident || | Boubou || Southern || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
| 10 || Brownbul || Terrestrial || Breeding resident || | Brownbul || Terrestrial || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
| 11 || Bulbul || Dark-capped || Breeding resident || | Bulbul || Dark-capped || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
| 12 || Bunting || Goldenbreasted || Occasional visitor || April 1992, 30 March 2013 | Bunting || Golden-breasted || Occasional visitor || April 1992, 30 March 2013
|- |-
| 13 || Bush-Shrike || Gorgeous || Rare visitor || Recorded 2007 | Bush-Shrike || Gorgeous || Rare visitor || 2007
|- |-
| 14 || Bush-Shrike || Greyheaded || Occasional visitor || 2012; winter 2014 | Bush-Shrike || Grey-headed || Occasional visitor || 2012; 2014, 2019-2020, possibly breeding Nov 2024
|- |-
| 15 || Bush-Shrike || Olive || Occasional visitor || Spring 2014, Winter 2017 | Bush-Shrike || Olive || Winter and spring visitor ||
|- |-
| 16 || Bush-Shrike || Orange-breasted || Occasional visitor || Not seen 2012-2017 | Bush-Shrike || Orange-breasted || Occasional visitor || Last seen 2011
|- |-
| 17 || Camaroptera || Green-backed || Breeding resident || | Buzzard || Steppe || Infrequent visitor || March 2019
|- |-
| 18 || Canary || Brimstone || Regular visitor || | Camaroptera || Green-backed || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
| 19 || Canary || Yellow-fronted || Regularly present || | Canary || Brimstone || Regular visitor ||
|- |-
| Canary || Yellow-fronted || Regularly present ||
|20 || Cisticola || Zitting || Rare visitor || April 2015; first sighting in recent years
|-
| Chat || Familiar || Occasional visitor ||
|-
| Cisticola || Zitting || Rare visitor || Pair present 2015; 2020
|- |-
|21 || Coucal || Burchell's || Occasional visitor || August 2015; winter of 2016 | Coucal || Burchell's || Breeding resident || First recent breeding 2021
|- |-
|22 || Crested-Flycatcher || Bluemantled || Rare visitor || Female present 2014-6 | Crested-Flycatcher || Blue-mantled || Rare visitor || Female present 2014-6
|- |-
|23 || Crow || Pied || Occasional visitor || | Crow || Pied || Occasional visitor ||
|-
|Cuckoo-Hawk
|African
|Rare visitor
|Present June 2014
|- |-
|24 || Cuckoo || Black || Occasional summer visitor || | Cuckoo || Black || Occasional summer visitor ||
|- |-
|25 || Cuckoo || Diderik || Regular summer visitor || | Cuckoo || Common || Rare visitor || 1979; November 2018
|- |-
|26 || Cuckoo || Emerald || Occasional summer visitor || | Cuckoo || Diederik || Regular summer visitor ||
|- |-
|27 || Cuckoo || Common || Rare visitor || Record from 1979 | Cuckoo || Emerald || Occasional summer visitor ||
|- |-
|28 || Cuckoo || Jacobin || Rare visitor || October 2016 | Cuckoo || Jacobin || Rare visitor || October 2016
|- |-
|29 || Cuckoo || Klaas's || Breeding resident || Breeding 2014 | Cuckoo || Klaas's || Breeding resident || Breeding 2014
|- |-
|30 || Cuckoo || Redchested || Occasional summer visitor || Juvenile February 2015 | Cuckoo || Red-chested || Occasional summer visitor || 2015, 2017
|- |-
|31 || Cuckooshrike || Black || Occasional visitor || Mainly winter | Cuckooshrike || Black || Occasional visitor || Mainly winter
|- |-
|32 || Cuckooshrike || Grey || Occasional visitor || Mainly winter | Cuckooshrike || Grey || Rare visitor || Mainly winter
|- |-
|33 || Dove || Redeyed || Breeding resident || | Dove || Laughing || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|34 || Dove || Laughing || Breeding resident || | Dove || Lemon || Rare visitor || 2012, 2018
|- |-
|35 || Dove || Rock || Occasional visitor || | Dove || Red-eyed || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|36 || Dove || Tambourine || Breeding resident || | Dove || Rock || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|37 || Dove || Lemon || Rare visitor || Seen 2012 | Dove || Tambourine || Breeding resident ||
|-
| Drongo || Fork-tailed || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|38 || Drongo || Forktailed || Breeding resident || | Drongo || Square-tailed || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
| Duck || White-faced Whistling || Infrequent visitor || November 2017
|39 || Drongo || Squaretailed || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|40 || Duck || White-faced || Infrequent visitor || November 2017 | Eagle || African Crowned || Occasional visitor
|- |-
|41 || Eagle || African Crowned || Occasional visitor January 2014, 2016, 2017 | Eagle-Owl|| Spotted || Occasional visitor
|- |-
|42 || Eagle-Owl || Spotted || Occasional visitor | Falcon || Lanner || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|43 || Falcon || Lanner || Occasional visitor || | Firefinch || African || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|44 || Firefinch || African || Breeding resident |7 | Firefinch || Red-billed || Breeding resident || First sighting January 2015; now established
|- |-
| Fiscal || Common || Not seen in recent years ||
|45 || Firefinch || Red-billed || Breeding resident || First sighting January 2015; now established
|- |-
|46 || Flufftail || Buffspotted || Breeding resident || Seen regularly | Flufftail || Buff-spotted || Breeding resident || Seen regularly
|-
|Flycatcher
|African Paradise
|Breeding resident
|
|- |-
|47 || Flycatcher || Ashy || Breeding resident || | Flycatcher || Ashy || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|48 || Flycatcher || Dusky || Breeding resident || | Flycatcher || Dusky || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|49 || Flycatcher || Fiscal || Regular winter visitor || | Flycatcher || Fiscal || Regular winter visitor ||
|- |-
|50 || Flycatcher || Spotted || Uncommon summer visitor || Present late 2014 | Flycatcher || Southern Black || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|51 || Flycatcher || Southern Black || Breeding resident || | Flycatcher || Spotted || Uncommon summer visitor || Present late 2014
|-
|Goose
|Egyptian
|Breeding resident
|
|- |-
|52 || Goshawk || African || Breeding resident || | Goshawk || African || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|53 || Greenbul || Sombre || Breeding resident || | Greenbul || Sombre || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|54 || Greenbul || Yellowbellied || Occasional visitor || Often present in winter and spring | Greenbul || Yellow-bellied || Breeding resident || First recent breeding 2021
|- |-
|Hamerkop|| ] || Occasional visitor ||
|55 || Ground-Thrush || Spotted || Regular migrant || April to September; November 2014; January 2016
|- |-
|56|| Hamerkop || || Occasional visitor || | Harrier-Hawk || African || Regular visitor ||
|- |-
|57 || Harrierhawk || African || Regular visitor || | Heron || Black-headed || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|58 || Hawk || African Cuckoo || Rare visitor || Present June 2014 | Hobby || Eurasian || Rare visitor || March 2015
|- |-
|59 || Heron || Black-headed || Occasional visitor || | Honey-Buzzard || European || Rare visitor || First sighting January 2015
|- |-
|60 || Hobby || Eurasian || Rare visitor || March 2015 | Honeybird || Brown-backed || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|61 || Honeybird || Brownbacked Occasional visitor || | Honeyguide || Greater || Rare visitor || Not seen in recent years
|- |-
| Honeyguide || Lesser || Usually present ||
|62 || Honey-Buzzard || European || Rare visitor || First sighting January 2015
|- |-
|63 || Honeyguide || Greater || Rare visitor || Not seen in recent years | Honeyguide || Scaly-throated || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|64 || Honeyguide || Lesser || Usually present || | Hoopoe || African || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|65 || Honeyguide || Scalythroated || Occasional visitor || | Hornbill || Crowned || Rare visitor || 2015
|- |-
|66 || Hoopoe || African || Occasional visitor || | Hornbill || Trumpeter || Rare visitor || 2011
|- |-
|67 || Hornbill || Crowned || Rare visitor || 2015 | Ibis || Hadeda || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|68 || Hornbill || Trumpeter || Rare visitor || 2011 | Indigobird || Village || Uncertain as yet || First sighted June 2019
|-
|Kingfisher
|African Pygmy
|Occasional visitor
|
|- |-
|68 || Ibis || Hadeda || Breeding resident || | Kingfisher || Brown-hooded|| Breeding resident ||
|-
|Kingfisher
|Malachite
|Dry season
|Roberts VII
|- |-
|69 || Kingfisher || Brownhooded || Breeding resident || | Kingfisher || Mangrove || Rare visitor || 2011, March 2016, 8 October 2017
|- |-
| Kite || Yellow-billed || Breeding migrant ||
|70 || Kingfisher || Mangrove || Rare visitor || 2011, March 2016, 8 October 2017
|- |-
|71 || Kingfisher || Pygmy || Occasional visitor || | Malkoha || Green || Infrequent visitor || 2010, 2017-8
|- |-
|72 || Kite || Yellowbilled || Breeding migrant || | Mannikin || Bronze || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|73 || Malkoha || Green || Rare visitor || 2010 | Mannikin || Red-backed || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|74 Mannikin || Bronze || Breeding resident | Martin || Rock || Occasional visitor ||
|-
|Mousebird
|Red-faced
|Breeding resident
|
|- |-
|75 || Mannikin || Redbacked || Breeding resident || | Mousebird || Speckled || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|76 || Martin || Rock || Occasional visitor || | Myna || Common || Frequent visitor ||
|- |-
| Nightjar || European|| Rare visitor ||2013; 18 December 2014
|77 || Mousebird || Speckled || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|78 || Myna || Common || Frequent visitor || | Nightjar || Fiery-necked || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
| Oriole || Black-headed || Breeding resident ||
|79 || Nightjar || European|| Rare visitor ||2013; 2014 18 December 2014
|-
|Owl
|Southern White-faced
|Rare vagrant
|July 2018
|- |-
|80 || Nightjar || Fierynecked || Occasional visitor || | Owl || Western Barn || Rare visitor || Record from 1979, April 2023
|- |-
|81 || Oriole || Blackheaded || Breeding resident || | Parakeet || Rose-ringed || Regular visitor ||
|- |-
|82 Owl || Barn || Record from 1979 || | Pigeon || African Green || Record from 1979 ||
|- |-
| Prinia || Tawny-flanked || Breeding resident ||
|83 || Palm-Swift || African || Regularly present ||
|- |-
|84 || Paradise-Flycatcher || African || Breeding resident || | Puffback|| Black-backed || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|85 || Parakeet || Rose-ringed || Regular visitor || | Quelea || Red-billed || Rare visitor || December 2017
|- |-
|86 || Pigeon || Green || Record from 1979 || | Robin || White-starred || Rare visitor || Not seen in recent years
|- |-
|87 || Prinia || Tawnyflanked || Breeding resident || | Robin-Chat || Cape || Occasional visitor || Mainly winter
|- |-
| Robin-Chat || Chorister || Occasional visitor || Mainly winter
|88 || Puffback|| Blackbacked || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|89 || Pygmy-Kingfisher || African || Occasional visitor || | Robin-Chat || Red-capped || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|90 || Quelea || Red-billed || Rare visitor || December 2017 | Saw-wing || Black|| Regular visitor ||
|- |-
|91 || Robin || White-Starred || Rare visitor || Not seen in recent years | Scimitarbill || Common || Rare visitor || 11 November 2016
|-
| Scrub Robin || White-browed || Formerly breeding resident ||
|-
| Seedeater || Streaky-headed || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|92 || Robin-Chat || Redcapped || Breeding resident || | Shrike || Red-backed || Infrequent summer visitor || Present Nov 2015
|- |-
|93 || Robin-Chat || Cape || Occasional visitor || Mainly winter | Sparrow || House || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|94 || Robin-Chat || Chorister || Occasional visitor || Mainly winter | Sparrow || Southern grey-headed || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|95 || Saw-wing || Black|| Regular visitor || | Sparrowhawk || Black|| Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|96 || Scimitarbill || Common || Rare visitor || 11 November 2016 | Sparrowhawk || Little || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|97 || Scrub-Robin || White-browed || Breeding resident || | Spurfowl || Natal || Breeding resident ||
|-
|98 || Seedeater || Streaky-headed || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|99 || Shrike || Fiscal || Occasional visitor || | Starling || Black-bellied || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
| Starling || Cape Glossy || Breeding resident ||
|100 || Shrike || Red-backed || Infrequent summer visitor || Present Nov 2015
|- |-
|101 || Sparrow || Southern Greyheaded || Occasional visitor || | Starling || Red-winged || Regularly present ||
|- |-
|102 || Sparrow || House || Occasional visitor || | Starling || Violet-backed || Occasional summer visitor ||
|- |-
|103 || Sparrowhawk || Little || Occasional visitor || | Stonechat || African || Rare visitor || Not seen in recent years
|- |-
|104 || Sparrowhawk || Black|| Breeding resident || | Stork || Woolly-necked || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|105 || Spurfowl || Natal || Occasional visitor || | Sunbird || Amethyst|| Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|106 || Starling || Blackbellied || Breeding resident || | Sunbird || Collared || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|107 || Starling || Violetbacked || Occasional summer visitor || | Sunbird || Grey || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|108 || Starling || Redwinged || Regularly present || | Sunbird || Olive || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|Sunbird || Purple-banded || Regular visitor ||Winter
|109 || Starling || Glossy || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
| Sunbird || White-bellied || Breeding resident ||
|110 || Stonechat || African || Rare visitor || Not seen in recent years
|- |-
|111 || Stork || Woollynecked || Occasional visitor || | Swallow || Barn || Regular visitor ||Summer
|- |-
|112 || Sunbird || Grey || Breeding resident || | Swallow || Lesser-striped || Regular visitor ||
|- |-
|113 || Sunbird || Amethyst|| Breeding resident || | Swallow || White-throated || Occasional visitor ||
|-
|Swift
|African Palm
|Regularly present
|
|- |-
|114 || Sunbird || Olive || Breeding resident || | Swift || Alpine || Rare visitor || Not seen in recent years
|- |-
|115 || Sunbird || Purplebanded || Regular visitor ||Winter | Swift || Black || Rare visitor ||
|- |-
|116 || Sunbird || Collared || Breeding resident || | Swift || Little || Regularly present ||
|- |-
|117 || Sunbird || Whitebellied || Breeding resident || | Swift || White-rumped || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|118 || Swallow || Barn || Regular visitor ||Summer | Tchagra || Southern || Rare visitor || 2017, 2018
|- |-
| Thrush|| Kurrichane || Breeding resident ||
|119 || Swallow || Lesser-striped || Regular visitor ||
|- |-
|120 || Swallow || Whitethroated || Occasional visitor || | Thrush|| Olive || Winter visitor || Present March 2014, 2018
|-
|Thrush
|Spotted Ground
|Regular migrant
|April to September; November 2014; January 2016
|- |-
|121 || Swift || Black || Rare visitor || | Tinkerbird || Red-fronted || Occasional visitor || October 2017, July 2020
|- |-
|122 || Swift || Whiterumped || Occasional visitor || | Tinkerbird || Yellow-rumped || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|123 || Swift || Little || Regularly present || | Tit || Southern black || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|124 || Swift || Palm || Regularly present || | Trogon || Narina || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
|125 || Swift || Alpine || Rare visitor || Not seen in recent years | Turaco || Knysna || Rare visitor || September 1991; 1 October 2017
|- |-
| Turaco || Purple-crested ||Breeding resident ||
|126 || Tchagra || Southern || Rare visitor || 2017
|- |-
|127 || Thrush|| Olive || Winter visitor || Present March 2014 | Twinspot || Green || Regular visitor || Breeding record 2014
|- |-
|128 || Tinkerbird || Redfronted || Occasional visitor || October 2017 | Vulture || Palm-nut || Rare visitor || 22 October 2017, May 2020
|- |-
|129 || Tinkerbird || Yellow-rumped || Breeding resident || | Wagtail || Cape || Occasional visitor ||
|- |-
| Wagtail || Mountain || Rare visitor || Seen once in 1990s, again in 2013
|130 || Tit || Southern Black || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|131 || Trogon || Narina || Occasional visitor || | Warbler || Barratt's || Infrequent winter visitor || June 2014, 2017
|- |-
|132 || Turaco || Knysna || Rare visitor || September 1991; 1 October 2017 | Warbler || Garden || Rare visitor || Present winter 2015
|- |-
| Warbler || Knysna || Rare visitor || 20 August 2017, 2018
|133 || Turaco || Purple-crested ||Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|134 || Twinspot || Green || Regular visitor || Breeding record 2014 | Warbler || Marsh || Summer visitor|| Several 2017-9
|- |-
|135 || Vulture || Palm-nut || Rare visitor || 22 October 2017 | Warbler|| Willow || Rare summer visitor || December 2014
|-
|Warbler
|Yellow-throated Woodland
|Rare visitor, winter
|13 August 2016
|- |-
|136 || Wagtail || Cape || Occasional visitor || | Wattle-eye || Black-throated || Rare visitor || 2013; present in 2015
|- |-
|137 || Wagtail || Mountain || Rare visitor || Seen once in 1990s, again in 2013 | Waxbill || Common || Regular visitor ||
|- |-
| Waxbill || Grey || Breeding resident ||
|138 || Warbler || Barratt's || Infrequent winter visitor || June 2014, 2017
|-
|Weaver
|Cape
|Breeding resident
|
|- |-
| Weaver || Dark-backed || Breeding resident ||
|139 || Warbler || Garden || Rare visitor || Present winter 2015
|- |-
| Weaver || Spectacled || Regularly present ||
|140 || Warbler || Marsh || Rare visitor || Not seen in recent years
|- |-
| Weaver || Thick-billed || Breeding resident ||
|141 || Warbler || Willow || Rare summer visitor|| December 2014
|- |-
| Weaver || Village || Breeding resident ||
|142 || Warbler|| Knysna || Rare visitor || Seen and recorded 20th August 2017
|- |-
|143 || Wattle-eye || Black-throated || Rare visitor || 2013; present in 2015 |Weaver || Yellow || Rare visitor || Winter 2015
|- |-
|144 || Waxbill || Common || Regular visitor || | White-eye || Cape || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|145 || Waxbill || Grey || Breeding resident || | Wood-hoopoe || Green || Regular visitor ||
|- |-
|146 || Weaver || Yellow || Rare visitor || Winter 2015 | Woodpecker || Cardinal || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|147 || Weaver || Darkbacked || Breeding resident || | Woodpecker|| Golden-tailed|| Breeding resident ||
|- |-
| Woodpecker || Olive || Rare visitor || 2009, 2017, 2018, 2019-2020
|148 || Weaver || Village || Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|149 || Weaver || Spectacled || Regularly present || | ] || Pin-tailed || Irregular visitor || 2015, 2017
|- |}

|150 || Weaver || Thickbilled || Breeding resident ||
==Butterflies==
|-
The reserve is excellent for butterflies, and the total listing is now 95 species. In September 2018 the first pupae of the ] were found on a '']'' tree. The host plant is the ''] quinquenervius'' mistletoe, which grows profusely on the tree. Subsequently a ] was found at the same spot. The first ] was found in 2019.
|151 || White-eye || Cape || Breeding resident ||
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ Butterflies of Pigeon Valley
|152 || Wood-Hoopoe || Green || Regular visitor ||
|- |-
! Family or subfamily !! Common name !! Scientific name
|153 || Woodland-Warbler || Yellowthroated || Rare visitor, winter || 13 August 2016
|- |-
| Monarch || African Monarch || Danaus chrysippus orientis
|154 || Woodpecker|| Goldentailed|| Breeding resident ||
|- |-
|155 || Woodpecker || Cardinal || Breeding resident || | || Novice || Amauris ochlea ochlea
|- |-
| || Layman || Amauris albimaculata albimaculata
|156 || Woodpecker || Olive || Rare visitor || 2009, 2017
|- |-
| Browns || African Ringlet || Ypthima asterope
|157 || Wydah || Pin-tailed || Irregular visitor || 2015, 2017
|-
| || Common Bush Brown || Bicyclus safitza safitza
|-
| || Squinting Bush Brown || Bicyclus anynana anynana
|-
| || Twilight Brown || Melanitis leda helena
|-
| Acraeas || Blood-red Acraea || Acraea petraea
|-
| || Common Wanderer || Acraea aganice aganice
|-
| || Dancing Acraea || Telchinia serena
|-
| || Dusky Acraea || Telchinia esebria esebria
|-
| || Dusky-veined Acraea || Telchinia igola
|-
| || Natal Acraea || Acraea natalica
|-
| || White-barred Acraea || Telchinia encedon encedon
|-
| || Window Acraea || Acraea oncaea
|-
| || Yellow-banded Acraea || Telchinia cabira
|-
| Leopards || Blotched Leopard || Lachnoptera ayresii
|-
| || Forest Leopard || Phalanta eurytis imitator
|-
| Emperors || Blue-spotted Emperor || Charaxes cithaeron cithaeron
|-
| || Forest Queen|| Charaxes wakefieldi
|-
| || Green-veined Emperor || Charaxes candiope candiope
|-
| || Pearl Emperor || Charaxes varanes varanes
|-
| || Satyr Emperor || Charaxes ethalion ethalion
|-
| || Silver-barred Emperor || Charaxes druceanus druceanus
|-
| || White-barred Emperor || Charaxes brutus natalensis
|-
| Gliders/Sailers || Blonde Glider|| Cymothoe coranus coranus
|-
| || Boisduval's False Acraea || Pseudacraea boisduvali trimeni
|-
| || Boisduval's Tree Nymph || Sevenia boisduvali
|-
| || False Chief || Pseudacraea lucretia tarquinia
|-
| || False Wanderer || Pseudacrea eurytus imitator
|-
| || Golden Piper || Eurytela dryope angulata
|-
| || Natal Tree Nymph || Sevenia natalensis
|-
| || Pied Piper || Eurytela hiarbas angustata
|-
| || Spotted Joker || Byblia ilithyia
|-
| || Spotted Sailer || Neptis saclava marpessa
|-
| Diadems/Pansies || Blue Pansy || Junonia oenone oenone
|-
| || Brown Pansy || Junonia natalica natalica
|-
| || Clouded Mother-of-pearl || Protogoniomorpha anacardii nebulosa
|-
| || Common Diadem || Hypolimnas misippus
|-
| || Common Mother-of-Pearl || Protogoniomorpha parhassus
|-
| || Eyed Pansy || Junonia orithya madagascariensis
|-
| || Garden Inspector || Precis archesia archesia
|-
| || Painted Lady || Vanessa cardui
|-
| || Soldier Pansy || Junonia terea elgiva
|-
| || Variable Diadem || Hypolimnas anthedon wahlbergi
|-
| Buff || Spotted Buff || Pentila tropicalis tropicalis
|-
| Sapphires || Red-line Sapphire || Iolaus sidus
|-
| || Short-barred Sapphire || Iolaus aemulus
|-
| || Southern Sapphire || Iolaus silas
|-
| Blues || African Grass Blue || Zizeeria knysna
|-
| || Apricot Playboy || Deudorix dinochare
|-
| || Barker's Smoky Blue || Euchrysops barkeri
|-
| || Black Pie || Tuxentius melaena melaena
|-
| || Brown Playboy || Deudorix antalus
|-
| || Bush Bronze || Cacyreus lingeus
|-
| || Common Black-eye || Leptomyrina gorgias gorgias
|-
| || Common Blue group || Leptotes sp.
|-
| || Gaika Blue || Zizula hylax
|-
| || Geranium Bronze || Cacyreus marshalli
|-
| || Grass Jewel || Chilades trochylus
|-
| || Long-tailed Blue || Lampides boeticus
|-
| || Osiris Smoky Blue|| Euchrysops osiris
|-
| || Purple-brown Hairstreak || Hypolycaena philippus philippus
|-
| || Rayed Blue || Actizera lucida
|-
| || Scarce Fig-tree Blue || Myrina dermaptera dermaptera
|-
| || Thorn-tree Blue || Azanus moriqua
|-
| || Twin-spot Blue || Lepidochrysops plebeia
|-
| Vagrants || Autumn-leaf Vagrant || Afrodryas leda
|-
| || Buquet's Vagrant/Green-eyed Monster || Nepheronia buquetii
|-
| || Vine-leaf Vagrant || Eronia cleodora
|-
| Tips || Coast Purple Tip || Colotis erone
|-
| || Smoky Orange Tip || Colotis euippe omphale
|-
| Whites || African Common White || Belenois creona severina
|-
| || African Migrant || Catopsilia florella
|-
| || African Wood White || Leptosia alcesta inalcesta
|-
| || Angled Grass Yellow || Eurema desjardinsii marshalli
|-
| || Ant-heap Small White || Dixeia pigea
|-
| || Broad-bordered Grass Yellow || Eurema brigitta brigitta
|-
| || Brown-veined White || Belenois aurota aurota
|-
| || Common Dotted Border || Mylothris agathina
|-
| || Common Grass Yellow || Eurema hecabe senegalensis
|-
| || Diverse White || Appias epaphia contracta
|-
| || False Dotted Border || Belenois thysa thysa
|-
| || Twin Dotted Border || Mylothris rueppellii haemus
|-
| Swallowtails || Citrus Swallowtail || Papilio demodocus demodocus
|-
| || Green-banded Swallowtail || Papilio nireus lyaeus
|-
| || Mocker Swallowtail || Papilio dardanus cenea
|-
| Skippers || Buff-tipped || Natrobalane canopus
|-
| || Clouded Flat|| Tagiades flesus
|-
| || Common Hottentot Skipper || Gegenes niso niso
|-
| Elfins || Small Elfin || Sarangesa phidyle
|-
| Sylphs || Gold Spotted Sylph || Metisella metis paris
|-
| Darts || Macken's Dart || Acleros mackenii
|-
| Swifts || Long-horned Swift || Borbo fatuellus fatuellus
|} |}


==Plants== ==Plants==
], showing its extensive buttressing, Pigeon Valley, May 2013]] ], showing its extensive buttressing, Pigeon Valley, May 2013]]
There are over 110 species of trees occurring in Pigeon Valley, almost all of which are locally indigenous.<ref>Hemson, C. (2014)</ref> Pigeon Valley is also notable for large stands of ] (''Isoglossa woodii'') which grow in more open areas under the forest canopy and in forest glades. In recent years there have been a few discoveries of plants not previously identified. There are over 110 species of trees occurring in Pigeon Valley, almost all of which are locally indigenous.<ref>Hemson, C. (2014)</ref> Pigeon Valley is also notable for large stands of ] (''Isoglossa woodii''), which grow in more open areas under the forest canopy and in forest glades. In recent years there have been a few discoveries of plants not previously identified.


Pigeon Valley is unique in having large numbers of the rare ], and of ]. A '']'' specimen found adjacent to the main track has so far not been definitively identified; it may be a species seldom found in the area or alternatively a hybrid. Pigeon Valley is unique in having large numbers of the rare ], and of ]. A '']'' specimen found adjacent to the main track has so far not been definitively identified; it may be a species seldom found in the area (C. liebertiana) or alternatively a hybrid (C. latifolia and C. woodii). Other uncommon flora include the little-known creepers Telosma africana and Vincetoxicum anomalum.
] ] in this urban reserve, where it is a winter visitor]]
<!--
The following table presents the listing of indigenous trees of the reserve.
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" width=60% style="background: #FFFFFF; border: 1px dotted gray;" {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" width=60% style="background: #FFFFFF; border: 1px dotted gray;"
|} -->


==Public access== ==Public access==
Line 363: Line 619:


==Community== ==Community==
An active grouping, Friends of Pigeon Valley, undertakes clearing of ] plants, ensuring that the park is unusually free of alien species. There is a Facebook page with that name at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfPigeonValley/ An active grouping, Friends of Pigeon Valley, undertakes clearing of ] plants, ensuring that the park is unusually free of alien species. It also liaises with management to ensure the biodiversity of the reserve and the wellbeing of visitors. It also liaises with the municipal managers of the reserve to address relevant issues. The Friends operate a monthly walk open to the public on the second Saturday of each month, at 07h30. There is a Facebook page, Friends of Pigeon Valley, at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfPigeonValley/.


==See also== ==See also==
Line 381: Line 637:
] ]
] ]


{{KwaZuluNatal-geo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 18:46, 19 December 2024

For the Pigeon Valley in Turkey, see Uçhisar.
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Hikers in Pigeon Valley

Pigeon Valley is a Natural Heritage Park and formally declared municipal nature reserve in Durban, South Africa (29.8646° S, 30.9869° E). It is an unusual example of an urban reserve with very high levels of biodiversity. It was established to provide protection for the Natal elm (Celtis mildbraedii) and other forest giants of the coastal climax forest. Another rare tree that occurs here is Natal forest loquat (Oxyanthus pyriformis), which is endemic to the Durban area and to oNgoye Forest.

In March 2020, a juvenile Crowned Eagle stands over its prey, a Red Duiker

Pigeon Valley is about 11 ha in extent, and is situated on the Berea, overlooking Durban Bay. Its unusual north-south orientation may contribute to the biodiversity, with the south-facing slope covered in canopy forest, while the north-facing slope has thorny thickets. An adjoining reservoir, previously part of the reserve, provides a patch of coastal grassland.

Animals

Red duiker at Pigeon ValleyMale buff-spotted flufftail in Pigeon Valley, January 2014

The park is home to red duiker and blue duiker. Other mammals include Cape genet, a troop of banded mongooses as well as slender and water mongooses. Blue vervet monkeys are constantly present. In July 2019, a side-striped jackal was seen in neighbouring roads and was apparently living in the reserve for a time. This may be the southernmost sighting of this species.

The reserve was named after the Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, which is now locally extinct. Various species of forest birds are found here including; red-capped robin-chat, green twinspot, Cape white-eye, southern boubou, spotted ground thrush, purple-crested turaco and African paradise flycatcher. The black sparrowhawk breeds here annually. There are increasingly common visits by the Crowned eagle, and it seems that two birds are now resident in the suburban area. Another bird that is seldom seen but that is generally present is buff-spotted flufftail. Unusual sightings of note in recent years include European nightjar, Knysna warbler, lemon dove, mountain wagtail, black-throated wattle-eye, common scimitarbill, palm-nut vulture and Knysna turaco. The current bird list for Pigeon Valley includes 162 species. Now (Nov 2023) 167 species recorded out of 879 recorded by BLSA (List of birds of South Africa).

The Spotted ground thrush is of particular note, as Pigeon Valley is one of the places where this endangered bird can be most reliably found in winter. It arrives typically in late March or early April, and is present until August or September; earliest arrival date recorded has been 22 March and latest (in 2015) 5 October, apart from a single January sighting. Summer migrants include, occasionally, black cuckoo, red-chested cuckoo and red-backed shrike.

Bird list

Bird list for Pigeon Valley
Family Species Status Notes
Apalis Bar-throated Breeding resident
Apalis Yellow-breasted Breeding resident
Barbet Acacia Pied Rare visitor July 2021
Barbet Black-collared Breeding resident Recent decline in numbers
Barbet Crested Occasional visitor
Barbet White-eared Breeding resident Increasing in number
Batis Cape Breeding resident
Batis Chinspot Occasional visitor
Bee-eater Little Occasional visitor
Blackcap Black Rare visitor 22 August 2020
Boubou Southern Breeding resident
Brownbul Terrestrial Breeding resident
Bulbul Dark-capped Breeding resident
Bunting Golden-breasted Occasional visitor April 1992, 30 March 2013
Bush-Shrike Gorgeous Rare visitor 2007
Bush-Shrike Grey-headed Occasional visitor 2012; 2014, 2019-2020, possibly breeding Nov 2024
Bush-Shrike Olive Winter and spring visitor
Bush-Shrike Orange-breasted Occasional visitor Last seen 2011
Buzzard Steppe Infrequent visitor March 2019
Camaroptera Green-backed Breeding resident
Canary Brimstone Regular visitor
Canary Yellow-fronted Regularly present
Chat Familiar Occasional visitor
Cisticola Zitting Rare visitor Pair present 2015; 2020
Coucal Burchell's Breeding resident First recent breeding 2021
Crested-Flycatcher Blue-mantled Rare visitor Female present 2014-6
Crow Pied Occasional visitor
Cuckoo-Hawk African Rare visitor Present June 2014
Cuckoo Black Occasional summer visitor
Cuckoo Common Rare visitor 1979; November 2018
Cuckoo Diederik Regular summer visitor
Cuckoo Emerald Occasional summer visitor
Cuckoo Jacobin Rare visitor October 2016
Cuckoo Klaas's Breeding resident Breeding 2014
Cuckoo Red-chested Occasional summer visitor 2015, 2017
Cuckooshrike Black Occasional visitor Mainly winter
Cuckooshrike Grey Rare visitor Mainly winter
Dove Laughing Breeding resident
Dove Lemon Rare visitor 2012, 2018
Dove Red-eyed Breeding resident
Dove Rock Occasional visitor
Dove Tambourine Breeding resident
Drongo Fork-tailed Breeding resident
Drongo Square-tailed Breeding resident
Duck White-faced Whistling Infrequent visitor November 2017
Eagle African Crowned Occasional visitor
Eagle-Owl Spotted Occasional visitor
Falcon Lanner Occasional visitor
Firefinch African Breeding resident
Firefinch Red-billed Breeding resident First sighting January 2015; now established
Fiscal Common Not seen in recent years
Flufftail Buff-spotted Breeding resident Seen regularly
Flycatcher African Paradise Breeding resident
Flycatcher Ashy Breeding resident
Flycatcher Dusky Breeding resident
Flycatcher Fiscal Regular winter visitor
Flycatcher Southern Black Breeding resident
Flycatcher Spotted Uncommon summer visitor Present late 2014
Goose Egyptian Breeding resident
Goshawk African Breeding resident
Greenbul Sombre Breeding resident
Greenbul Yellow-bellied Breeding resident First recent breeding 2021
Hamerkop Hamerkop Occasional visitor
Harrier-Hawk African Regular visitor
Heron Black-headed Occasional visitor
Hobby Eurasian Rare visitor March 2015
Honey-Buzzard European Rare visitor First sighting January 2015
Honeybird Brown-backed Occasional visitor
Honeyguide Greater Rare visitor Not seen in recent years
Honeyguide Lesser Usually present
Honeyguide Scaly-throated Occasional visitor
Hoopoe African Occasional visitor
Hornbill Crowned Rare visitor 2015
Hornbill Trumpeter Rare visitor 2011
Ibis Hadeda Breeding resident
Indigobird Village Uncertain as yet First sighted June 2019
Kingfisher African Pygmy Occasional visitor
Kingfisher Brown-hooded Breeding resident
Kingfisher Malachite Dry season Roberts VII
Kingfisher Mangrove Rare visitor 2011, March 2016, 8 October 2017
Kite Yellow-billed Breeding migrant
Malkoha Green Infrequent visitor 2010, 2017-8
Mannikin Bronze Breeding resident
Mannikin Red-backed Breeding resident
Martin Rock Occasional visitor
Mousebird Red-faced Breeding resident
Mousebird Speckled Breeding resident
Myna Common Frequent visitor
Nightjar European Rare visitor 2013; 18 December 2014
Nightjar Fiery-necked Occasional visitor
Oriole Black-headed Breeding resident
Owl Southern White-faced Rare vagrant July 2018
Owl Western Barn Rare visitor Record from 1979, April 2023
Parakeet Rose-ringed Regular visitor
Pigeon African Green Record from 1979
Prinia Tawny-flanked Breeding resident
Puffback Black-backed Breeding resident
Quelea Red-billed Rare visitor December 2017
Robin White-starred Rare visitor Not seen in recent years
Robin-Chat Cape Occasional visitor Mainly winter
Robin-Chat Chorister Occasional visitor Mainly winter
Robin-Chat Red-capped Breeding resident
Saw-wing Black Regular visitor
Scimitarbill Common Rare visitor 11 November 2016
Scrub Robin White-browed Formerly breeding resident
Seedeater Streaky-headed Breeding resident
Shrike Red-backed Infrequent summer visitor Present Nov 2015
Sparrow House Occasional visitor
Sparrow Southern grey-headed Occasional visitor
Sparrowhawk Black Breeding resident
Sparrowhawk Little Occasional visitor
Spurfowl Natal Breeding resident
Starling Black-bellied Breeding resident
Starling Cape Glossy Breeding resident
Starling Red-winged Regularly present
Starling Violet-backed Occasional summer visitor
Stonechat African Rare visitor Not seen in recent years
Stork Woolly-necked Occasional visitor
Sunbird Amethyst Breeding resident
Sunbird Collared Breeding resident
Sunbird Grey Breeding resident
Sunbird Olive Breeding resident
Sunbird Purple-banded Regular visitor Winter
Sunbird White-bellied Breeding resident
Swallow Barn Regular visitor Summer
Swallow Lesser-striped Regular visitor
Swallow White-throated Occasional visitor
Swift African Palm Regularly present
Swift Alpine Rare visitor Not seen in recent years
Swift Black Rare visitor
Swift Little Regularly present
Swift White-rumped Occasional visitor
Tchagra Southern Rare visitor 2017, 2018
Thrush Kurrichane Breeding resident
Thrush Olive Winter visitor Present March 2014, 2018
Thrush Spotted Ground Regular migrant April to September; November 2014; January 2016
Tinkerbird Red-fronted Occasional visitor October 2017, July 2020
Tinkerbird Yellow-rumped Breeding resident
Tit Southern black Breeding resident
Trogon Narina Occasional visitor
Turaco Knysna Rare visitor September 1991; 1 October 2017
Turaco Purple-crested Breeding resident
Twinspot Green Regular visitor Breeding record 2014
Vulture Palm-nut Rare visitor 22 October 2017, May 2020
Wagtail Cape Occasional visitor
Wagtail Mountain Rare visitor Seen once in 1990s, again in 2013
Warbler Barratt's Infrequent winter visitor June 2014, 2017
Warbler Garden Rare visitor Present winter 2015
Warbler Knysna Rare visitor 20 August 2017, 2018
Warbler Marsh Summer visitor Several 2017-9
Warbler Willow Rare summer visitor December 2014
Warbler Yellow-throated Woodland Rare visitor, winter 13 August 2016
Wattle-eye Black-throated Rare visitor 2013; present in 2015
Waxbill Common Regular visitor
Waxbill Grey Breeding resident
Weaver Cape Breeding resident
Weaver Dark-backed Breeding resident
Weaver Spectacled Regularly present
Weaver Thick-billed Breeding resident
Weaver Village Breeding resident
Weaver Yellow Rare visitor Winter 2015
White-eye Cape Breeding resident
Wood-hoopoe Green Regular visitor
Woodpecker Cardinal Breeding resident
Woodpecker Golden-tailed Breeding resident
Woodpecker Olive Rare visitor 2009, 2017, 2018, 2019-2020
Whydah Pin-tailed Irregular visitor 2015, 2017

Butterflies

The reserve is excellent for butterflies, and the total listing is now 95 species. In September 2018 the first pupae of the short-barred sapphire were found on a Celtis mildbraedii tree. The host plant is the Oncocalyx quinquenervius mistletoe, which grows profusely on the tree. Subsequently a red-line sapphire was found at the same spot. The first forest queen was found in 2019.

Butterflies of Pigeon Valley
Family or subfamily Common name Scientific name
Monarch African Monarch Danaus chrysippus orientis
Novice Amauris ochlea ochlea
Layman Amauris albimaculata albimaculata
Browns African Ringlet Ypthima asterope
Common Bush Brown Bicyclus safitza safitza
Squinting Bush Brown Bicyclus anynana anynana
Twilight Brown Melanitis leda helena
Acraeas Blood-red Acraea Acraea petraea
Common Wanderer Acraea aganice aganice
Dancing Acraea Telchinia serena
Dusky Acraea Telchinia esebria esebria
Dusky-veined Acraea Telchinia igola
Natal Acraea Acraea natalica
White-barred Acraea Telchinia encedon encedon
Window Acraea Acraea oncaea
Yellow-banded Acraea Telchinia cabira
Leopards Blotched Leopard Lachnoptera ayresii
Forest Leopard Phalanta eurytis imitator
Emperors Blue-spotted Emperor Charaxes cithaeron cithaeron
Forest Queen Charaxes wakefieldi
Green-veined Emperor Charaxes candiope candiope
Pearl Emperor Charaxes varanes varanes
Satyr Emperor Charaxes ethalion ethalion
Silver-barred Emperor Charaxes druceanus druceanus
White-barred Emperor Charaxes brutus natalensis
Gliders/Sailers Blonde Glider Cymothoe coranus coranus
Boisduval's False Acraea Pseudacraea boisduvali trimeni
Boisduval's Tree Nymph Sevenia boisduvali
False Chief Pseudacraea lucretia tarquinia
False Wanderer Pseudacrea eurytus imitator
Golden Piper Eurytela dryope angulata
Natal Tree Nymph Sevenia natalensis
Pied Piper Eurytela hiarbas angustata
Spotted Joker Byblia ilithyia
Spotted Sailer Neptis saclava marpessa
Diadems/Pansies Blue Pansy Junonia oenone oenone
Brown Pansy Junonia natalica natalica
Clouded Mother-of-pearl Protogoniomorpha anacardii nebulosa
Common Diadem Hypolimnas misippus
Common Mother-of-Pearl Protogoniomorpha parhassus
Eyed Pansy Junonia orithya madagascariensis
Garden Inspector Precis archesia archesia
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
Soldier Pansy Junonia terea elgiva
Variable Diadem Hypolimnas anthedon wahlbergi
Buff Spotted Buff Pentila tropicalis tropicalis
Sapphires Red-line Sapphire Iolaus sidus
Short-barred Sapphire Iolaus aemulus
Southern Sapphire Iolaus silas
Blues African Grass Blue Zizeeria knysna
Apricot Playboy Deudorix dinochare
Barker's Smoky Blue Euchrysops barkeri
Black Pie Tuxentius melaena melaena
Brown Playboy Deudorix antalus
Bush Bronze Cacyreus lingeus
Common Black-eye Leptomyrina gorgias gorgias
Common Blue group Leptotes sp.
Gaika Blue Zizula hylax
Geranium Bronze Cacyreus marshalli
Grass Jewel Chilades trochylus
Long-tailed Blue Lampides boeticus
Osiris Smoky Blue Euchrysops osiris
Purple-brown Hairstreak Hypolycaena philippus philippus
Rayed Blue Actizera lucida
Scarce Fig-tree Blue Myrina dermaptera dermaptera
Thorn-tree Blue Azanus moriqua
Twin-spot Blue Lepidochrysops plebeia
Vagrants Autumn-leaf Vagrant Afrodryas leda
Buquet's Vagrant/Green-eyed Monster Nepheronia buquetii
Vine-leaf Vagrant Eronia cleodora
Tips Coast Purple Tip Colotis erone
Smoky Orange Tip Colotis euippe omphale
Whites African Common White Belenois creona severina
African Migrant Catopsilia florella
African Wood White Leptosia alcesta inalcesta
Angled Grass Yellow Eurema desjardinsii marshalli
Ant-heap Small White Dixeia pigea
Broad-bordered Grass Yellow Eurema brigitta brigitta
Brown-veined White Belenois aurota aurota
Common Dotted Border Mylothris agathina
Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe senegalensis
Diverse White Appias epaphia contracta
False Dotted Border Belenois thysa thysa
Twin Dotted Border Mylothris rueppellii haemus
Swallowtails Citrus Swallowtail Papilio demodocus demodocus
Green-banded Swallowtail Papilio nireus lyaeus
Mocker Swallowtail Papilio dardanus cenea
Skippers Buff-tipped Natrobalane canopus
Clouded Flat Tagiades flesus
Common Hottentot Skipper Gegenes niso niso
Elfins Small Elfin Sarangesa phidyle
Sylphs Gold Spotted Sylph Metisella metis paris
Darts Macken's Dart Acleros mackenii
Swifts Long-horned Swift Borbo fatuellus fatuellus

Plants

A Natal elm, showing its extensive buttressing, Pigeon Valley, May 2013

There are over 110 species of trees occurring in Pigeon Valley, almost all of which are locally indigenous. Pigeon Valley is also notable for large stands of buckweed (Isoglossa woodii), which grow in more open areas under the forest canopy and in forest glades. In recent years there have been a few discoveries of plants not previously identified.

Pigeon Valley is unique in having large numbers of the rare Natal elm, and of Natal forest loquat. A Cryptocarya specimen found adjacent to the main track has so far not been definitively identified; it may be a species seldom found in the area (C. liebertiana) or alternatively a hybrid (C. latifolia and C. woodii). Other uncommon flora include the little-known creepers Telosma africana and Vincetoxicum anomalum.

A spotted ground thrush in this urban reserve, where it is a winter visitor

Public access

The reserve is open from 07:30 to 16:00 daily throughout the year. The entrance is in Princess Alice Avenue, Glenwood, opposite Rhodes Avenue.

Community

An active grouping, Friends of Pigeon Valley, undertakes clearing of invasive alien plants, ensuring that the park is unusually free of alien species. It also liaises with management to ensure the biodiversity of the reserve and the wellbeing of visitors. It also liaises with the municipal managers of the reserve to address relevant issues. The Friends operate a monthly walk open to the public on the second Saturday of each month, at 07h30. There is a Facebook page, Friends of Pigeon Valley, at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfPigeonValley/.

See also

References

  1. Bodenstein, J. (2009)
  2. Birds in Reserves, ADU
  3. "BIRP Site summary | Pigeon Valley Park (149)". birp.adu.org.za. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010.
  4. Hemson, C. (2014)

Bibliography

  • Pooley, T. and Player, I. (1995). KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Destinations. ISBN 1-86812-487-8.
Nature Reserves in eThekwini
eThekwini Municipality D'MOSS
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
Privately Managed

29°51′52″S 30°59′19″E / 29.86444°S 30.98861°E / -29.86444; 30.98861

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