BENDIGO NATURE RESERVE
The Bendigo Nature Reserve is a beautiful, leafy paradise which follows along the Umhlamgamkulu River and Lagoon, just north of Southport. This tranquil spot with its wonderul birdlife can be enjoyed as ones ambles along its trails leading down to the golden sands of Southport’s secluded and protected main beach.

BIRDS TO BE SEEN: Malachite Kingfisher, Spottedbacked Weaver, Birchell’s Coucal, Crested Barbet, Black Collard Barbet and the Purple Crested Loerie.

EMPISINI NATURE RESERVE
Empisini Nature Reserve is a delightful birding watching haven established in 1973. 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 town. Several excellent trails meander through the various habitats in the reserve and the trails alongside the Empisini Stream provide excellent forest birding. Mammal species include vervet monkey, large-spotted genet and blue duiker.

BIRDS TO BE SEEN: 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, Trumpeter Hornbill, Black-breasted Snake Eagle and African Black Duck.