Listen carefully and you may hear the cheerful calls of the Sombre Greenbul, one of the most common birds of the coastal forests.  The greenbul is an important seed disperser, helping forests regenerate by spreading the seeds of many indigenous plants.  Despite its name, there is nothing sombre about its varied whistles and calls.  It is a drab, olive-green bird with striking pale, yellowish-white eyes. It is known for its loud, penetrating song, which sounds like a challenge: “Willie!… come out and play (or Have a fight) Are you sca-a-a-red!”  The nearby township of Cwili takes its name from the isiXhosa word for this bird Inkwili and in IsiZulu IWili and it is referred to as a messenger, protector and voice of the dense coastal bush.  Due to the bird’s colouration, it is rarely seen but often heard and it is therefore considered the “eyes and ears” of the forest spirits.  It alerts the wilderness (and travellers) to arriving intruders, changing weather, or hiding predators.  Because it sings tirelessly all day, all year round, even when other birds fall silent in the midday heat, it is tied to the concept of unceasing vigilance.  The fact that the name is used in the town reflects the deep connection between local people and the natural environment.