Meet Sena Mbatha, the guide leading birders to the rare Pel’s fishing owl

Senamile 'Sena' Mbatha is a guide with a passion for wildlife and birding

2 hours ago

Tamlyn Cramer 2 minutes read

Senamile 'Sena' Mbatha is passionate about birding, especially in Mkhuze's fig forest Photo: Tamlyn Cramer

All birdwatchers have a bucketlist sighting that generally requires some effort, and is oftentimes either elusive or a rarity.

For many, the Pel’s fishing owl is that bucketlist bird.

Patchily distributed, this uncommon owl is found in sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa’s north-eastern reaches.

These large, ginger-rufous owls live exclusively near permanent water sources, one of which is the Mkhuze River in northern Zululand.

For many years, birders have flocked to Mkhuze Game Reserve specifically to see the Pel’s fishing owl, but due to the nature of its habitat, after any significant rainfall, the fig forest – where this owl occurs – is flooded and closed to visitors.

After going to Mkhuze in December and being unable to go on the fig forest walk for this reason, my husband and I returned to the game reserve last weekend with the hopes of ticking off this lifer in the drier climate.

Just before our trip, however, we heard the fig forest walk inside Mkhuze Game Reserve was closed indefinitely, once again threatening to kibosh our plans for the Pel’s.

Crisis averted! A local guide who lives in the KwaJobe area, adjacent to Mkhuze Game Reserve, has stepped in to the breach and takes birders on walks through the fig forest just outside the reserve, from the Ophansi gate.

As a point of interest, this sycamore fig forest along the banks of the Mkhuze River is estimated to be 900 years old, with some of the oldest trees estimated to be 450 years old.

Having grown up in the local area, Senamile ‘Sena’ Mbatha is a guide with a passion for wildlife and birding.

“My passion for birding began through my love of nature and wildlife,” recalls Sena.

“I am a qualified FGASA Nature Guide (NQF Level 2) and have also completed bird guide training, where I developed skills in bird identification, behaviour and bird calls.

“I enjoy sharing the incredible birdlife of our area with visitors, especially helping them find special species like the Pel’s fishing owl, Narina trogon, green malkoha, and green and pink throated twinspot.

“My goal is to provide every guest with a memorable birding experience while promoting conservation and appreciation of our natural heritage.”

Sena’s passion for birding and giving her guests the best possible experience shine through when going on a bird walk with her, as does her knowledge of the local area.

Needless to say, Sena did indeed get us that bucketlist sighting of the Pel’s fishing owl – both male and female, both of which provided wonderful photographic opportunities.

Anyone wanting to go on a fig forest walk can contact Sena by WhatsApp on 079 335 5614.

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