Open Highveld grassland on Monaghan Farm
Estate Life

The summer migrantsNature & Seasons · August 2026

Matters @ Monaghan · August 2026

The arrival of summer’s warmth, imminent rains and the resultant abundance of insect and fruiting plants attract a whole host of incoming summer migrants.

By Pierre, long-standing Monaghan resident

Monaghan Farm offers a surprisingly rewarding birding experience. We share our 517-hectare home with a recorded bird list of over 230 species. This incredible species richness within a relatively small area, is due to the diversity of micro-habitats within Monaghan Farm. The natural grassland, interspersed with pockets of woodland and the riverine habitats that line the Jukskei’s meander, together with maturing planted indigenous gardens all support a wonderful variety of birdlife.

The arrival of summer’s warmth, imminent rains and the resultant abundance of insect and fruiting plants attract a whole host of incoming summer migrants. Look out for the following prominent birds arriving early this summer:

Red-chested Cuckoo (Piet-my-vrou)
On the farm  ·  Late Sep – Mar

Red-chested Cuckoo (Piet-my-vrou)

Status
A summer migrant that breeds in Southern Africa and is present at Monaghan from late Sep-Mar (it over winters in equatorial Africa).
Food
Hairy caterpillars
Habitat
Woodland, riverine bush, wooded suburbia
Breeding
Brood parasite, laying its eggs in thrush, robin and wagtail nests
Diederik Cuckoo
On the farm  ·  Oct – Mar

Diederik Cuckoo

Status
A summer migrant that breeds in Southern Africa and is present at Monaghan Oct-Mar (it over winters in central and east Africa).
Food
Caterpillars
Habitat
Adjacent water bodies and riverine woodland
Breeding
Brood parasite, laying its eggs in weaver and bishop nests
European Bee-eater
On the farm  ·  Oct – Apr

European Bee-eater

Status
A non-breeding summer migrant that is present at Monaghan Oct-Apr (it spends our winter, breeding in the palearctic: southern Europe, north Africa and southwestern Asia)
Food
Bees and other flying insects
Habitat
Woodland
Woodland Kingfisher
On the farm  ·  Oct – Apr

Woodland Kingfisher

Status
A summer migrant that breeds in Southern Africa and is present at Monaghan Oct-Apr (it over winters in South Sudan and the Central African Republic).
Food
Insects, lizards, small birds, snakes and frogs
Habitat
Open savanna, along wetland fringes
Breeding
Nests in old woodpecker, barbet or natural tree cavities
Violet-backed Starling
On the farm  ·  Oct – Apr

Violet-backed Starling

Status
A summer migrant that breeds in Southern Africa and is present at Monaghan Oct-Apr (it over winters in equatorial Africa).
Food
Mainly fruit
Habitat
Moist woodland with fruiting trees
Breeding
Nests in holes in trees
Willow Warbler
On the farm  ·  Oct – Apr

Willow Warbler

Status
A non-breeding summer migrant that is present at Monaghan Oct-Apr (it spends our winter, breeding in Europe). This bird’s presence is most easily noticed by its call.
Food
Gleans insects from foliage in tree canopy
Habitat
Woodland
On the farm  ·  Aug – Apr

Swallows

Status
These 5 swallows (with the exception of the Barn Swallow which is a non-breeding migrant that arrives in Oct from the palearctic) are summer migrants that breed in Southern Africa and are present at Monaghan Aug-Apr (they over winter in equatorial Africa).
Food
Aerial insects
Habitat
Moist woodland with fruiting trees
Breeding
Mud nests
Barn Swallow
Barn
White-throated Swallow
White-throated
Lesser striped Swallow
Lesser striped
Greater striped Swallow
Greater striped
Red-breasted Swallow
Red-breasted
Explore

Over 230 bird species share the estate

Explore nature

More from Estate Life

All stories ›