While winter at Londolozi may seem like a quiet time in nature — with dry grass, bare branches, and crisp mornings — the avian world remains alive with activity. Contrary to what one might expect, several bird species here choose the cooler months to breed. Whether it’s to avoid predators, secure prime nesting sites, or access concentrated food sources, these birds have developed remarkable strategies to raise their young in winter.

Let’s take a look at just a few of the bird species we’ve observed here at Londolozi that choose the winter months to lay their eggs.

African Hawk-Eagle (Aquila spilogaster)

Nesting Strategy: Platform nests in tall trees
Breeding Season: May to July

The African Hawk-Eagle is a powerful and relatively elusive raptor, often seen soaring high above the canopy. At Londolozi, these monogamous raptors begin nesting in early winter, returning year after year to the same large stick nests in tall trees, which they continually reinforce.

This monogamous pair typically raises a single chick. Winter’s open canopy offers a clearer view of potential threats, while cooler temperatures reduce heat stress. Though prey might be slightly less abundant in winter, this eagle’s stealth and skill ensure successful hunting through the dry season.

Nests are very large for the size of the bird as they are added to with each year’s occupation. They breed in winter, laying in May-Jun and fledging in Sep-Oct.Source (http://www.waterberg-bioquest.co.za/Bird%20spp%20pgs/137AHkgl.html)

 Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl (Bubo lacteus)

A Verraux’s eagle owl on a rainy morning at Londolozi. Usually well concealed in the dense canopy of a riparian tree by sunrise, it was very special to see this one right out in the open. f2.8, 1/640, ISO 1000

Nesting Strategy: Repurposes stick nests of other large birds
Breeding Season: March to September

Africa’s largest owl often begins nesting just before the heart of winter. Instead of building their own nests, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owls repurpose the sturdy platforms built by Hamerkops, vultures, or storks.

Their deep, guttural hoots echo through the cold bushveld nights as pairs bond and defend their territories. A single chick is typically raised, and thanks to the lower activity of predators like snakes in winter, it enjoys a safer start to life. The chick fledges after roughly two months, often still reliant on the parents into spring.

Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)

Nesting Strategy: Large platform nests in tall trees near water
Breeding Season: May to July

Towering and elegant, the Saddle-billed Stork is one of Londolozi’s most striking birds — and a true winter nester. These monogamous pairs construct huge stick nests high in trees near rivers or pans, often reusing the same site each year.

The female lays one or two eggs, and both adults take part in incubation and chick rearing. Breeding during winter allows the chicks to hatch and develop just as fish and aquatic prey become more concentrated in shrinking water sources during the height of the dry season. By spring, the fledglings are strong and ready to take flight as the ecosystem bursts back to life.

African Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer)

An African fish eagle launches itself off a dead tree from where it had been perched with its partner. Fish eagles form monogamous pairs that establish territories – in this case along the banks of the Sand River close to the Londolozi camps.

Nesting Strategy: Large stick nests in tall trees near water
Breeding Season: April to July

The Fish Eagle’s call — a quintessential soundtrack to the African bush — becomes even more distinct in the stillness of winter. These raptors begin nesting early in the dry season, establishing large nests along waterways.

Their nests are massive structures built high in tall trees along water bodies. Like the Saddle-billed Stork, they tend to reuse and refurbish existing nests. Chicks are typically hatched mid-winter and fledge by the time prey abundance peaks in late dry season pools. The parents’ excellent hunting skills and the chick’s development are well-timed with the seasonal rhythms of the bush.

Gabar Goshawk (Micronisus gabar)

A Gabar Goshawk launches itself into the air. Gabar Goshawks are incredibly agile in flight and use their agility to hunt equally nimble little birds.

Nesting Strategy: Small stick nests in tree forks or repurposed nests
Breeding Season: Often begins in May

Slight and swift, the Gabar Goshawk is an agile hunter and clever winter nester. Pairs build small stick nests in tree forks or occasionally repurpose old nests of other species, like doves. At Londolozi, breeding activity has been observed as early as May.

This goshawk may lay 2–4 eggs, with the female doing most of the incubation while the male provides food. The dry bushveld helps in spotting prey like small birds, lizards, and rodents, and also offers fewer parasites and better nest visibility for the vigilant pair. Their chicks fledge by early spring, just in time for the arrival of summer’s abundance.

Why Do Some Birds Nest in Winter?

Winter may seem a harsh season to raise chicks — with cooler temperatures and reduced vegetation — but it offers unique advantages for certain species:

• • Less competition for prime nest sites

  • Reduced parasite loads and fewer insect nest infestations

  • Lower risk from predators like snakes

  • Improved visibility in the dry bush, making prey easier to spot

  • Chicks fledge just in time for the abundance of spring and early summer

Winter in the bush may appear still and dry on the surface, but a closer look reveals a season of subtle purpose and remarkable resilience. From high raptor nests silhouetted in bare branches to hidden platforms near water, life at Londolozi continues to unfold quietly and with intention.

Apparently, collecting nesting materials, a male Saddle-billed Stork gets ready for takeoff.

So next time you head out on a chilly winter morning drive, pause and look up — or listen for the soft begging calls of chicks tucked away in nests. The story of life here is not just about survival, but timing, strategy, and the magic of nature’s rhythms.