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Located in another of SA's lesser known nature reserves.
Empisini Nature Reserve is a delightful birding spot established in 1973. It is owned by the borough of uMkhomanzi/ Umkomaas TLC and is managed by the Umkomaas Centre of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. It is 120ha in extent. 'Empisini' means 'the place of the hyena' and is the name of the perennial stream that flows through the reserve and into the uMhkomazi River . The reserve is about 1km from the coast just inland of Umkomaas.
Accommodation:
One of the major attractions is a large tree-house built deep within the forest and alongside the Empisini stream. It sleeps up to 20 people and has a cold shower, a flush toilet and a kitchen with running water. Twenty mattresses are supplied. There is no electricity and visitors should bring their own gas lamps and cooking equipment, torches, sleeping bags, cutlery, crockery, food and drinks.
Currently there is overnight accommodation in 4 cabins each sleeping 4 persons.
Vegetation
This 60 ha of pristine coastal forest and 35ha of grasslands, reclaimed from cane fields.
Alongside the entrance to the reserve is an expanse of marshland consisting of a dense stand of phragmites reeds and, nearer to the picnic site, lies a lovely natural wetland. The grassy southern slopes, scattered with Acacia trees, are a constant challenge to keep free of weeds. There are also Cheesewood, Pigeonwood and RedBeech trees along the wetland trail.
At the waterfall, the trees are the small-leafed Jackal-berry, Natal Milkplum and Natal Bush Milkwood.
Around the clear running stream, Pheasant-berry and Natal Camwood trees are found. The damp riverine forest has 3 dominant species, the Broad-leafed Quince, the Quinine tree and smaller Pistol-bush.
White Stinkwood and false white Stinkwood (Celtis durandii) are common along the main trail.
Mammals
Monkey, Mongoose, Bushbuck, Blue Duicker, Otter, Bushpig, and several species of Bats.
Some birds likely to be encountered:
Narina Trogon , Spotted Ground-Thrush , Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird , Scaly-throated Honeyguide , Olive Woodpecker , Square-tailed Drongo , Grey Cuckooshrike , Terrestrial Brownbul , Yellow-bellied Greenbul , Red-capped Robin-Chat , Brown Scrub-Robin , Cape Batis , Ashy Flycatcher , Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher , Black Sparrowhawk , Little Sparrowhawk , African Goshawk , Tambourine Dove , Lemon Dove , Knysna Turaco , Purple-crested Turaco , African Emerald Cuckoo , Green Malkoha , Narina Trogon , Trumpeter Hornbill and African Black Duck.
Facilities:
There are picnic and braai sites alongside the dam for the use of day-visitors. Several excellent trails meander through the various habitats in the reserve and the trails alongside the Empisini stream provide excellent forest birding. Bird lists and maps are available on request from the contact persons.
Habitats:
Coastal forest, scrub and pioneer grassland, perennial stream and dam supporting extensive reed and sedge beds
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Snveyl rnfl - xrrc bss gur tebhaq!