We headed north from Cape Town up the R27, hoping for drier weather
ahead of us, but when we arrived at the West Coast National Park
there we still regular squalls coming through. We made best use
of the short dry spells, quickly finding Cape Penduline
Tit right beside the road. Down at the water's edge we
spent a short while in the hide, and managed to lure a very cooperative
pair of African Rail from the reeds, which gave
excellent views. Further on we paused to find a pair of Grey
Tit at a rocky outcrop, before moving on to the Vredenburg
area. Here an icy wind blew, but we still managed to pick out several
Sickle-winged Chat along the roadside, a confiding
Cloud Cisticola, Grey-backed Sparrowlark,
Southern Ant-eating Chat and, after a lot of effort,
a pair of Cape Long-billed Lark.
After a warm lunch we continued to Velddrif, where we paused to
find Chestnut-banded Plover and a couple of bright
Lesser Flamingos, and finally on to Mountain Mist,
which we decided had been named appropriately. We huddled around
a blazing fire to warm up, making short forays into the surrounding
fynbos to watch Protea Seedeater, Cape
Bunting and Cape Sugarbird. After dark
we found a single Freckled Nightjar along the road.
11 May:
With heavy mist and driving rain at the top of the mountain, we
decided to head for lower altitudes, which proved a good strategy.
Before dawn we found a Spotted Eagle Owl perched
on a roadside pole, and Fiery-necked Nightjar hunting
along a Eucalypt plantation. After dawn we slowly made our way back
up the mountain for breakfast, pausing to watch two groups of Ground
Woodpecker, a circling Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk
and, amazingly, a LEOPARD
being mobbed by a pair of Pied Crows. The views
were brief before the secretive animal slunk behind a sandstone
outcrop, but Allen and Rob were fortunate to join the elite club
of people having set eyes on a leopard in the Cape mountains! After
breakfast the weather had showed no sign of improvement, so we headed
for the coastal lowlands where the weather was brighter, finding
several Lanners and a trio of White Storks
feedings in some recently ploughed fields.
We spent the afternoon back in the West Coast National Park, where
we were entertained by several smart Southern Black Korhaan,
Karoo Lark and Black Harrier,
and we watched a Secretarybird striding across
the plains. Our final stop produced improved views of Little
Rush Warbler, before it was time to head back to a rainy
Cape Town.
A Birding Africa Trip Report by Tour Leader Michael
Mills.
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
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.
