On Monday morning four clients from as far afield as UK, USA, Canada and Australia met up for a guided Birding Africa day trip of the Cape Peninsula. It was already a pleasantly warm day by the time we arrived at our first birding spot, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. The first bird we spotted was a most obliging male Cape Batis and the next couple of hours in the gardens were most profitable.
Southern Double-collared and Orange-breasted Sunbirds were common, and two Malachite Sunbirds were seen. Cape Sugarbirds proved a little more difficult, but were eventually located above the reservoir. Cape, Brimstone and Forest Canary were added, and a surprise was a lovely male Yellow Canary. Other regulars such as Cape Spurfowl, African Dusky Flycatcher, Olive Thrush and Cape Robin-Chat all showed well, and overhead we added Black Swift and Black Saw-wing. The biggest surprise however was two Klaas's Cuckoo males in the same bush and fairly unperturbed by our presence. The Spotted Eagle Owls could unfortunately not be located. Reptiles added were Girdled Lizard and Angulate Tortoise.
After a stop to stock up on liquid refreshment , we headed to Rondevlei Nature Reserve. The water-level at the hides was quite low, but we notched up some good birds such as Malachite Kingfisher, Purple Swamp-hen and Cape Grassbird. Both Lesser Swamp and Little Rush Warblers were heard and seen, and we had good but brief views of Little Bittern. Some Barn Swallows were still about, and many Brown-throated Martins flew overhead. A highlight was spotting the Goliath Heron from one of the towers, and Small Grey Mongoose was seen on the pathways.
From Rondevlei we headed across to Strandfontein where most of the expected species were added. The three ibises, Black-headed Heron and Grey Heron were common and Hottentot Teal, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Caspian Tern, and Macoa Duck were nice birds to see. Common Ringed Plover and Ruff were still about in small numbers, and the Greater Flamingo, White Pelican, Spur-winged Goose, Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt and other waterbirds kept the interest level high. No African Marsh-Harrier was about, possibly because of the almost totally windless conditions.
With time marching on, we headed down the Peninsula to Simon's Town where the African Penguins were a delight before we broke for a fairly late lunch at Boulders. Continuing past Smitswinkel's Bay we came across two Chacma Baboons on the road, much appreciated by all, and we then enjoyed the great views along the coast past Misty Cliffs. A stop above the Slangkop lighthouse added Southern Boubou and Speckled Mousebird to the list and made for great photographs of the sea-views.
There was not much activity at Kommetjie and the light was fading, so we headed back along Chapman's Peak and enjoyed a great sunset and balmy conditions before returning to town by about 19h30. Although our raptor count was pretty low, with just Black-shouldered Kite and Rock Kestrel, we nevertheless had a successful day with a total of 88 species.
For a full list of species from this trip, please
contact us.
A Birding Africa Trip Report by Tour Leader
Otto Schmidt
Many of the birding sites on this trip are described in detail
in the Southern African
Birdfinder which is widely available in South African bookshops
and on the internet. (e.g., www.netbooks.co.za
or www.wildsounds.co.uk). However
you're always welcome to contact
us if you're interested in a guided trip in this area.
Practical
tour information: Cape Day Trips and Western Cape Tours
Please click this link for more
detailed information about our upcoming
Cape Tours.
Focus
Our Cape tours and day trips are aimed at keen birders and
nature enthusiasts. They have been designed to see as many endemic
birds as possible. While on the walks, we spend a lot of time
looking for other aspects of wildlife such as mammals, chameleons,
geckos, butterflies and interesting plants. We can also customise
any itinerary to suit to the keen birder, the wildlife enthusiast
or both.
Photography
Many participants on our tours and day trips are amateur wildlife
photographers. And when we get excellent views of a bird or
mammal, some time is usually spent watching and photographing
it. However, this is not a photographic tour and once the majority
of the people have felt that they have absorbed the animal or
bird to their satisfaction, then we move on in search of the
next encounter. Thus, while the photographic
opportunities are very good, the group will only occasionally
wait for somebody who wants to spend even longer getting better
photos.
Fitness
Only a low level of fitness is required.
Timing
Throughout the year.
Climate
Moderate; can be warm in summer and chilly in winter.
Comfort
A good standard of accommodation in guest houses, lodges and
small hotels.
About
Birding Africa Birding Africa is a specialist birding
tour company customising tours for both world listers and more relaxed
holiday birders. We combine interests in mammals, butterflies,
dragonflies, botany and other natural history aspects and will guide
you to Africa's and Madagascar's most diverse birding destinations.
Our guides' knowledge of African
birds and birding areas is our greatest strength and together we
have rediscovered species, shared exciting observations with the
birding community and had a fun time exploring our home continent.
We've even written two acclaimed guide
books on where to find Southern Africa's and Madagascar's best
birds. Birding is more than our passion, it's our lifestyle, and
we are dedicated to making professional, best value trips filled
with endemic species and unique wildlife experiences. Since 1997,
we've run bird watching tours
in South Africa and further into Africa for individual birders,
small birding groups and top international tour companies. We've
run Conservation Tours
in association with the African Bird Club and work with and consult
for a number of other top international tour companies and the BBC
Natural History Unit.
