See the calendar for dates of BLZ monthly walks in the woodland. The Mukuvisi Woodland is situated within the greater Harare city boundary. The woodland is 270ha in extent. During the dry months the average observer should be able to record 50 or more species during an early morning 3 hour walk. In the summer months Oct-April, 70 or more different species can be recorded. The habitat of the area can be described as Miombo Woodland and in cooler months birds tend to move around in parties of mixed species. Some of the more unusual birds which the visitor is likely to find in these parties would be: Spotted Creeper, White-breasted Cuckoo-shrike, Violet-backed and Purple-banded Sunbird, Miombo Tit, Green-capped Eremomela, Chinspot Batis, and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird. Two interesting and regular winter visitors are Swallow-tailed Bee-eater and Coppery Sunbird. The woodland birds begin breeding in late August  and species such as Black Cuckoo-shrike and African Golden Oriole, Pennant-winged Nightjar, Paradise Fly-catcher, Klaas’ and Diederik Cuckoo can be seen as summer progresses. Some of the more interesting species found are Wahlberg’s Eagle, Whyte’s , Black-collared and Crested Barbet and Fiery-necked Nightjar.

In the reed beds you will find the nests of Southern-masked Weaver, Red Bishop, Golden Weaver, and Thick-billed Weaver. Other non-breeding summer visitors which can be seen from November to March include hobby falcons, swallows, bee-eaters and the Willow Warbler, which all arrive from Europe.

See the calendar for dates of BLZ monthly walks here. Birding in these parts is best from December through April when the grass is lush and green. July brings grass fires and when the vlei is burnt it then hosts a very different bird community. The dry months bring Capped Wheatears, Red-capped Larks, Grey-rumped Swallows and a few Temminck Coursers. With the rains in November and December, the Widows and Bishops go into breeding plumage and the vlei is alive with the calls of the Yellow-throated Longclaws, visiting European Bee-eaters and Diderik Cuckoos. Raptors include the Marsh Owl, Black-shouldered Kite, Wahlberg’s Eagle and Amur Falcon. The vlei also is home to a number of Cisticola species. Common ones are Rattling, Croaking and Red-faced. During the wet season Striped Crake, Streaky-breasted Flufftails, Broad-tailed Warblers, Black Coucals are specials to see.

See the calendar for dates of BLZ monthly walks here. This park is situated 30 kms west of Harare. It encompasses the lake, which is Harare’s main water supply. The main habitat is Miombo Woodland, but there are areas of open grassland and extensive areas of reeds and sedges along the lake shore. Water birds and waders feature high on the species list. Although in recent years, the weed problem on the lake has drastically affected these birds. Large number of cormorants, both Reed and White-breasted, herons, and egrets breed around the lake. Goliath Heron is a regular sighting, and as are Red-billed and Hottentot Teal. Fulvous Duck and Southern Pochard can also be seen. Osprey has been seen on several occasions.

The Botanical Garden is situated off Sandringham Drive next to the National Parks offices. Just over half of the area was developed to feature Zimbabwean woodland types including Miombo, Acacia, Lowveld Tree Savannah, Lowveld Riverine and Zimbabwean Rainforest. In addition to plants from other parts of Africa there is a section comprising of species from Australia, the Far East and South America. Approximately 150 species of birds have been recorded in the gardens. So in the woodland, look for Whyte’s and Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Greater and Lesser Honeyguide, Cardinal and Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Miombo Tit and Long-billed Crombec. Sunbirds are common and include Miombo Double-collared, Variable, Scarlet-chested, and Amethyst. Both Bronze and Red-backed Mannikins occur in the gardens. Several raptors have been recorded including Yellow-billed Kite, Cuckoo-hawk, Lizard Buzzard and Shikra.