Trip Report: Cape Endemics Tour, 16-19 June 2009 Summary: We designed
a custom 4-day trip around the Western Cape, South Africa, for Paul
Mostyn, an experienced birder from the UK with over 1000 birds on
his Africa lifelist. Paul had done two trips in southern Africa
before, but never in the Cape region, so the aim of the trip was
to get as many of the Cape endemics as possible on his list. On
our journey to find these birds, we explored the Cape coastline,
West Coast strandveld habitat, farmlands of the Swartland and Overberg,
the unique Mountain fynbos and the desert expanses and cliffs of
the desolate Tanqua Karoo. Although it was winter, we had perfect
weather and many fine encounters including a host of spectacular
fynbos and Karoo endemics. Some of the highlights were spending
time with a group of Cape Rock-jumpers in the mountains
with Verreaux’s Eagle, Cape Sugarbird,
Cape Siskin and Orange-breasted Sunbird
all around; very close Protea Seedeaters which
defied being called skulking; a spectacular territorial dispute
between two groups of Karoo Korhaan; tremendous
views of Cinnamon-breasted warbler (less than a
metre from our feet!); Karoo Eremomelas and Rufous-eared
Warbler together on the Karoo plains; all three Long-billed
Lark species possible – Cape, Karoo and Agulhas;
a single field with over 25 Cape Vultures, Blue
Cranes and 4 Denham’s Bustards;
Knysna Woodpecker less than 20 metres away; and
a host of excellent mammal sightings including Cape Fox
and Striped Polecat.
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.
Protea
Seedeater, Knysna Woodpecker and Cinnamon-breasted Warbler on a
Cape Endemics Birding Africa Tour © Callan Cohen, www.birdingafrica.com