surfbirds.com
Cape Provinces, South Africa
(17th Septembre - 15th October 1997)
Georges & Mireille OLIOSO, le Mail, 26230 Grignan, France
EMail : Georges.Olioso@wanadoo.fr
The same report exists also in French
Generalities
Guide to South Africa by Philip Briggs (Bradt editor). Camping and other accomodations.
Maps :
We used the *Road Atlas South Africa publish by Map Studio.
Naturalist trips guides : Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa by H. Chittenden. Indispensable.
Birds of the southwestern Cape and where to watch them. Published by the Cape Bird Club.
Guide to southern african game & nature reserves C. & T. Stuart. Very good.
Field guides: Click here for links to South African bird books with online booksellers.
Newman's Birds of Southern Africa, the green edition (SAPPI).
Birds of Southern Africa (SASOL).
Robert's Birds of Southern Africa
Smithers' Mammals of Southern Africa, A Field Guide (P. Apps editor). The only complete guide on mammals.
Mammals of Southern Africa (B. Cilli)
South African Frogs, a complete guide (N.I. Passmore & V.C. Carruthers). Complete, nice photos.
Bill Branch's Field Guide to the Snakes and other reptiles of Southern Africa Complete photographic guide.
Butterflies of Southern Africa, a field guide (Mark Williams).
Proteas, a field guide to the Proteas of Southern Africa (SASOL). Splendid.
Wild flowers of South Africa (National Botanical Institute). Succinct.
Southern African Trees. A Photographic Guide (Piet van Wyk).
General ornithology Atlas of the Birds of the Sousthwestern Cape (Cape Bird Club).
The Atlas of the Southern African Birds 2 volumes published in 1997.
The book on South African Birds. Harrison, J.A. 1997. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesburg.
Trip reports:
Report from a trip to Zimbabwe and South Africa, 5/26.7.1994; 10 pages (E. Hirschfeld), available to "Voyages Ornithos" (G. Olioso, le Mail, 26230 Grignan, France).
Cape Province, South Africa, September 1995(R. Higgins & D. Lawrence). 24 pages. Available to Dutch Birding T.R.S..
Birding South Africa & Namibia (C. Green), 29 mai au 31 juillet 1992. 111 pages. Available thru N.H.B.S.
The Cape 27/09/92 - 16/10/92 (G.L. Finch). 50 pages. Available thru N.H.B.S.
ITINERARY
(Birds names are in The Atlas of the Southern African Birds)
17/09/1997 (site 1, annexe). Arrived at Cape Town airport at 12h30. Taxi to the Ritz Protea Inn in Sea Point. Walk on the coast. Sacred Ibis, Hartlaub Gull, Black Oystercatcher, Cape Cormorant, Rock Pigeon, Swift Tern, Cape White-eye, Cape Sparrow, etc.
18/09/1997 :Taxi to Britz: Africa in Brackenfell where we hired (from France) a 4x4 camper. Drive the N7 north (site 2) to Malmesbury and Moorreesburg: Black-headed Heron, Blackshouldered Kite, etc. Night at Moorreesburg Caravan Park (site 3): Pintailed Whydah, Red Bishop, African Marsh Warbler, Brownthroated Martin, Redcapped Lark, etc.
19/09/1997: Between Moorreesburg and Piekenaarskloof (road N7): numerous Blackshouldered Kites and Fiscal Shrikes, 2 Blue Cranes, Spurwinged Goose, first Ostriches, 10 White Storks.
(site 4) Stop near a small pan, 10 km north Citrusdale : South African Shellduck (pair with 6 pulli), Yellowbilled Duck, Cap Francolin, Threebanded Plover, Pied Kingfisher, 2 Booted Eagles, Alpine Swifts, etc.
(site 5) Turn left on the R 364. Stop in a rocky area, 35 km East Lambert's Bay: Mountain Chat, Karoo Prinia, Fiscal Flycatcher, Longbilled Crombec, Barthroated Apalis. Some Rock Dassies. In the same area, we seen a Southern Grey Tit and a young Martial Eagle 21/09/1997.
19 & 20/09/1997: (site 6). We stay in Lambert's Bay Caravan Park 2 nights. Nice area with dunes fynbos, lagon and sea birds colonies. Cape Gannet, Jackass Penguin, Black Oystercatcher, Kelp and Hartlaub Gulls, 1 Great White Egret, Little Egrets, Cape Shoveller, Maccoa Ducks, Cape Francolin, Crowned Plover (nesting in the camp site), Redfaced and Whitebacked Mousebirds, Pied Barbet, Spotted Dikkop, Lesser Doublecollared Sunbird, etc.
21/09/1997: Just before Clanwilliam, we turn left on the N7 to Vanrhynsdorp.
(site 7). Bridge upon the Olifants River, 10 km south Klawer: Karoo Robin, Little Swift, etc. In Vanrhynsdorp, turn right on the R 27 to Nieuwoudtville. 10 km after the turn, there is eucalyptus with a Cape Weaver colony and a nest of Black Crow, a Laner Falcon perches on an electricity pylon. At the bottom of the Vanrhynspass, a small pan with Maccoa Ducks, Blackwinged Still, Blacksmith Plover, Reed Cormorants, etc.
(site 8). Caravan Park in Nieuwoudtville, near a large lake. In the night, Rufouscheeked Nightjar.
22/09/1997:(site 8). Clapper Larks, Cape Robin, Whitethroated Swallow, Familiar Chat, Whitenecked Raven, Mountain Chat, Common Quail, Yellowbilled Kite, Malachite Sunbird, Greybacked Cisticola. Mammals present are Smith's Red Rock Rabbit and Scrub Hare.
(site 9). Nieuwoudtville Falls (7 km north of Nieuwoudtville on the R357): Black Ducks, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Namaqua Prinia, Karoo Chat, Redwinged Starlings, etc.
(site 10). Between Nieuwoudtville and Calvinia (R27), stop at the Soetwater Bridge: Cape Teal, Redbilled Teal, Cape Reed Warbler, etc.
(site 11). Caravan Park in Calvinia: European Bee-eater, Alpine Swift, a nest of Laughing Dove, etc.
23/09/1997: (site 11) drive to Akkerendam Nature Reserve, 2 km out of Calvinia. At the end of the main street, follow the hospital signs, pass in front the hospital. The reserve is at the end of the road. Entrance is free. Botted eagle, Plainbacked Pipit, Greywinged Francolin. Springboks are present.
(site 12). Between Calvinia and Brandvlei the road is straight, straight, straight... The Karoo is fantastic. Karoo Korhaan, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Namaqua Dove, Sicklewinged Chat, Dusky Sunbird, Karoo Lark, Longbilled Lark, etc. On a large pan, 100 km after Calvinia: Great Flamingos, African Spoonbill, numerous palearctic waders. mammals are Common Hare, Rattel, Suricates and Springboks. Warning, there is no campsite in Brandvlei.
(site 13). Between Brandvlei et Kenhardt, the landscape is the same: Whitequilled Korhaan, Whiterumped Swift, Rufouseared Warbler. We seen here our first nests of Sociable Weavers.
(site 14) Night at the Kenhardt Caravan Park. Redeyed Bulbul and the habitual species.
24/09/1997: (site 16). Drive the D27 to the south and stop after 5 km in the Kokerboom (Quiver Tree) Forest. Birds are rare (Karoo Korhaan, Mountain Chat, Longbilled Lark, Sclater's Lark) but the scenery is astonishing. There is also some Dassies.
(site 15). Drive north between Kenhardt and Keimoes. Species are always the same. New birds are Cape Penduline Tit and Whitebrowed Sparrowweaver.
(site 17) Stop near Upington at the Eiland Holiday Resort, camp very shady (it's good!) on an island of the Orange River (4.00 F). In the evening some species go to roost: Wattled Starling (200) and Cattle Egret (264) are the more numerous. Hoopoes are numerous and several pairs feed youngs at nest.
25/09/1997: (site 17) Weather is always the same ! Walk in the vicinity of the caravanpark (riparian forest, reed beds, suburbia, farm lands). Black Ducks, 2 immature African Fish Eagle, Hadeda Ibis (rare in the area), Blackthroated Canary and, feeding with House and Cape Sparrows, several Greyheaded Sparrows. At the exit of the town, near the Orange River, we see a lone African Pied Wagtail.
(site 18) Between Upington and Groblershoop (N 10), temperature is hot. New species are: Anteating Chat, Tractrac Chat and Redbilled Firefinch. Sociable Weavers and Whitebrowed Sparrow-Weavers are very numerous. Ostrich and Fiscal Shrike are common. About 60 km north of Prieska, the road crosses a lake. Below the bridge there is nests of Rock Martin and South African Swallow. Threebanded Plover is also seen. 1 Gabar Goshawk on a telegraph pole, 45 km north of Prieska.
(site 19)Stop at the Prieska municipal caravan park (4.00 F). 5 Vervet Monkeys at roost in the eucalyptus above our car. Small colony of Little Swifts with 2 dead pulli on the ground.
26/09/1997: (site 19) Before leave Prieska have a quick look at the Orange River on the R 386 bridge (the road to Griquatown): 3 Mallards (!!) and the two Acrocephali species.
(site 20) Between Prieska and Graaff-Reinet. A party of Palewinged Starlings 15 km south of Prieska. Km 50, 1 immature Black Harrier. At the Ongers River bridge, pair of Pale Chanting Goshawk and Kestrel, Whitequilled Korhaan male and 8 European Bee-eaters. Fiscal Shrike, Anteating Chat and Pied Crow are common. Some Ostriches. 50 km north of Middelburg, 3 Stark's Larks (1 singing), also a dozen of Springboks. Some km after, on a small lake: Crested Coots and Black-winged Stilts. 80 km north of Graaff-Reinet, 1 adulte Jackal Buzzard. Near Graaff-Reinet, we see numerous Vervet Monkeys and some Springboks. 25 km north this town a very big Rock Molitor.
27/09/1997(site 21) In the city of Graaff-Reinet, Hadeda Ibis, Hoopoes, Cattle Egrets, Little Swifts, etc. First visit at the Karoo Nature Reserve (free entrance 8 km on the road R63 to Murraysburg): 1 Darter, 1 wonderful Secretarybird, 1 male of Brownhooded Kingfisher, numerous Grassveld Pipits (pairs feeding), 1 Longbilled Pipit, adults African Fish Eagles, 1 Great Kestrel, 1 Spotted Dikkop, a pair of Ostriches with 8 pulli. Mammals seen are: some Black Wildebeest, more than 30 Blesboks and Springboks. 10 Steenboks, 6 Gemsboks, a party of Vervet Monkeys and 1 Small Grey Mongoose. In the Desolation Valley (entrance 4 km before the main gate of the Karoo Reserve) the landscapes are very impressive. Here, we see a catch attempt of a Hare by an adult Black Eagle. On the Aloes flowers, several Malachite and Lesser Doublecollared Sunbirds. Namaqua Warbler is common. In the evening, walk along the Sundays River: Batis pririt, a pair of Fiscal Flycatcher, 2 Bar-throated Apalis, Moorhens and a colony of Cape Weavers and Red Bishops.
28/09/1997 (site 21) In the morning, second visit at Karoo Nature Reserve. The same species are seen. About 60 Black Wildebeests and a party of Kudus.
(site 22) Between Graaff-Reinet and the crossroad R63/R75, a dozen of Ostriches and 1 male of Whitequilled Korhaan. 15 km after this croosroad, on the R63, several singers of Clapper Larks and about a hundred Springboks (some wholly chocolate with a very youg lamb). Halfway between Graaff-Reinet and Pearston, 1 Pale Chanting Goshawk and 2 Kori Bustards and, some km after, 2 Ludwig's Bustard. En route, another Pale Chanting Goshawks, Rock Kestrels, Anteating Chats, Black Crows and several Swallows and Martins species. At the Stockpoort River bridge (15 km before Somerset East), a pair of Levaillant's Cisticola alarmes violently and a Southern Boubou threads ones way through the thickets. At the pass, just before Somerset East, a Whitenecked Raven and, in the descent, a small lake with 2 Dabchicks and Yellowbilled Duck.
(site 23) Night in the Bosberg Nature Reserve near Somerset East (Just before the city, turn left in direction of the golf course). Warning, Vervet Monkeys are robbers! Contact area between a old forest and pastures, golf course. Numerous Yelloweyed Canaries, several African Black Swifts, 4 wonderful Redbilled Woodhoopoes, Forktailed Drongos, Blackheaded Orioles, Sombre Bulbuls, Southern Black tits and 1 Black Sparrowhawk, very rare species here.
29/09/1997 We leave Somerset East to Cradock (were we hope for repare eyeglasses) and after to Addo Elephant National Park. Between Paterson and Addo, some Fan-tailed Cisticolas, 1 Yellowbilled Kite, 2 Blackshouldered Kites and 1 Jackal Buzzard.
(site 24) Stop at the shady Addo Elephant Park caravan park (4.50 ). There is a small pond with reeds, another pond without reeds floodlit at night: Hamerkop, Speckled and Redfaced Mousebirds, Brownheaded Kingfisher, Dusky Sunbird, Cape Bulbul, etc. Doves (3 species) and Cape White-eyes are numerous. An Elephant goes to the pond to drink. 3 Vervet Monkeys at roost.
30/09/1997(site 24) Morning in the Addo Elephant: 2 Blue Cranes, 6 Rednecked Francolins, 1 Southern Tchagra, 1 Southern Black Tit and numerous other species. The meeting with a party of 60 Elephants were a pleasant but impressive encounter. Also seen: Cape Mountain Zebras, Warthogs, Suricates, 1 Yellow Mongoose and a big Leopard Tortoise. In the park, there are also 38 Black Rhino and 130 Buffles, but we don't see one. In the afternoon, en route to Port Elizabeth. After this town, we drive west on the R 102 (the old Cape Town - Port Elizabeth road), but there is a new road (N2).
(site 25) Stop at Jeffreys Bay caravan park (5.50), on the shore of the enraged Indian Ocean. Regular species with a particular mention for 3 young Wattled Starlings, 1 Greyheaded Sparrow, a pair of Crowned Plovers with 2 egges, 1 Spotted Dikkop, 2 Chestnutbanded Plovers, 1 Caspian Tern and 1 Pied Kingfisher.
01/10/1997 (site 25) Visit at Van Staddens Nature Reserve Flowers: wonderful; Proteas with Cape Sugarbirds and Dusky Sunbirds. Another Blackheaded Oriole. On the road to Jeffreys Bay, 1 Cape Shoveller, 1 Namaqua Dove, some European waders in a small pond and 1 Yellowbilled Kite.
02/10/1997 (site 25) Mondplass swamps. Coming from Jeffreys Bay, drive on the R102 about 15 km in direction of Van Stadens, turn left to Mondplass, pass under the N2 and straight to Mondplass. First swamps are 200 m after the N2 underpass, near the road. To go to other swamps, continue on your way as far as the end of the paved road. On the right, a narrow gravel road goes between swamps and farmlands. This site is beyond question one of the better
We see here species which are rare or very rare in the Cape Province: 1 Black Egret, 4 Whitefaced Ducks, 5 Whitebacked Ducks and also more of 200 Redbilled Ducks, about 40 Yellowbilled Ducks, 4 Cape Teals, more than 250 Egyptian Geese, 1 Giant Kingfisher, 1 Whitewinged tern, 1 Maccoa Duck, 1 African Marsh Harrier, etc.
On the N102 near Clarkson, 1 Yellowrumped Widow, 3 Spurwinged geese and a Pied Kingfisher. At the Storm River bridge above spectacular gorges, a short walk in the forest gives a pair of Forest Buzzard, 2 Cape Batis and some Forest Canaries.
(site 26)Night at Aventura Eco Resort, near Plettenberg Bay, on the right bank of the Keurbooms River, inside a primary forest. Coming from Port Elizabeth, turn right immediatly after the bridge. This site is very interesting and to watch the Knysna Lourie is virtually certain. Also seen: African Goshawk, Olive Woodpecker, Emeraldspotted Dove, Puffback, Olive Bush Shrike, Bully Canary and several species of Sunbirds. Hadeda Ibis are very tame.
03/10/1997 (site 26) Plettenberg Bay. Walk in Bitou River valley. At the caravan park exit, turn right on the N2 and walk about 400 m. Turn right on the R 340 to Avontuur. Landscapes are Swiss landscapes ! Species are numerous and varied ; for instance: Neddicky, Rameron Pigeon, Whitenecked Raven (building a nest), Caspian Terns, Yellowbilled Kite, Pied Kingfisher, etc.
04/10/1997 We leave Plettenberg Bay by the N2. After about 40 km, stop on a car park near a large lake, just before Sedgefield. A gravel road start from the N2 about 200 or 300 m after the car park in direction of the reed bed.
(site 27) On the lake: 1 Purple Heron, 1 Darter, the 2 Acrocephali species, 2 African Marsh Harriers ; on the shore, 3 Olive Nush Shrikes, 1 Cape Francolin. After some km, near Wilderness, 1 Burchel's Coucal crosses the road.
We leave the N2 and go to George and the Outeniqua Pass par la N12 wich winds in the fynbos and its wonderful flowers. Stop on a car park (view) ; There are several Orangebreasted Sunbirds
On the plateau, the landscape change, the karoo takes over from fynbos. Stop near a small pan where Redcapped and Thickbilled Larks are drinking. In the rare trees, nests of Cape and Masked Weavers. We approach of Oudtshoorn and Ostriches are common (there is numerous Ostriches farms here). Return to the coast by the R 328 and the Robinson Pass (Whitenecked Raven, 1 Springbok and Baboons). At the bottom of the slope, drive right on the N2. Near Albertinia, 1 Blackshouldered Kite. The road crosses large steppes ; several pairs of Black Crows have their nests on telegraph poles. Stop about 10 km before Riversdale: 2 Blue Cranes, 2 Capped Wheatear, 2 pairs of Kittlitz's Plovers (1 incubating), 10 Crowned Plovers, Rufouscapped and Thickbilled Larks, etc. Night at Swellendam caravan park. Suburbia, residual forest, stream, small pond.
05/10/1997(site 28) Swellendam, morning. A Jacobin Cuckoo (black morph) and 2 Tambourine Doves sing. A wonderful male of Paradise Flaycatcher, 5/6 Black Saw-wing Swallows, a pair of Stone Chats feeding youngs at nest, 1 Dusky Flycatcher also. We leave Swellendam to Cape Agulhas on the N2 and the R319. It rains ! Between Swellendam and Bredasdorp, we watch a Kelp Gull (this species is very rare in the interior).
(site 29) The approaches to the road between Bredasdorp and Agulhas (R319) are very interesting: 1 White Stork, 4 Yellowbilled Kites, 1 Stanley's Bustard, several African Marsh Harriers (a pair displaying), 6 Blue Cranes, several Blackshouldered Kites, numerous shorebirds (Blacksmith and Crowned Plovers, Blackwinged Stilts, Greenshanks, Wood Sandpipers, Ruffs), 2 Hamerkops, Longbilled, Thickbilled and Rufouscapped Larks, Black and Greater Doublecollared Sunbirds, etc, etc. Also 2 Steenboks and a party of 44 Baboons.
(site 29, suite)Cape Agulhas. Numerous Kelp Gulls, 2 Black Oystercatchers, 2 Spotted Dikkops, several Cape Francolins, Cape Gannets, 1 Cape Bulbul, 1 male of Pintailed Whydah, etc. Return to Bredasdorp. 8 km after the town, turn right the gravel road to Ouplaas.
(site 30) Between the R319 and the Potberg: 58 Blue Cranes, numerous Helmeted Guineafowls, Pied Starlings, Ostriches, Mountain and Capped Wheatears and Fiscal Shrikes (1 birds every 500 m). Mammals also are numerous: 3 Bonteboks, 4 Grey Rheboks and 2 Mangoustes. Above the Potberg 7 Cape Vulturs soar.
Return at the Swellendam caravan park.
06/10/1997 We leave Swellendam to De Hoop Nature Reserve. N2, and, after 4 km, turn left on the gravel road for Ouplaas and Wydgelee. After 22 km turn right on another gravel road postsigned Karro Reserve. Drive another 13 km (at the end of the road) and turn right and left (the reserve intrance is well signposted).
(site 31) There is a small entrance fee (1.50 for 2 persons). There is a short network of gravel roads. A foot path (14 km) follows the eastern shore of the De Hoopvlei lagon. The sandhills are white and strictly protected. We seen: 1 Blaclbreasted Snake Eagle (very rare here), numerous Ostriches with more than 40 pulli, 1 Blue Crane, several Black Oystercatchers, 4 Jackal Buzzards, 3 Whiskered Terns, Black Swifts, etc. Mammals are numerous: more than 40 Bonteboks and 50 Elands, Cape Mountain Zebras, Baboons and, almost a dozen of Southern Right Whales in front of Koppie Alleen.
Return to Bredasdorp and then R116 for Caledon. Between this two towns, several Blacshouldered Kites, about 30 Blue Cranes, Stone Chats, a pair of Crested Coots with small youngs. Always Blackshouldered Kites and Blue Cranes between Caledon and Grabouw.
(site 32) Stop for the night at the Gordon's Bay caravan park. A Spotted Eagle Owl perches on a branch just above our car !
07/10/1997 To day, we explore the triangular area between N2 (Sir Lowry's Pass to Botrivier), R44 and sea coast.
(site 32) Sir Lowry's Pass: several Grassbirds and Orangebreasted Sunbirds. Then drive to Betty's Bay and its Jackass Penguins colony. Coming from Gordon's Bay, turn right just after the Buffels River bridge, cross Pringle Bay. At the city exit, the tared road becomes gravel and crosses fynbos. Turn right on the first paved road and watch for the signposts with a (very) small Penguin. This colony protects several tens of pairs of Penguins and also Whitebreasted and Cape Cormorants
In the fynbos, between Gordon's Bay and the Buffels River, we ween usualy passerines and also a Rock Thruses (probably Sentinel) and a Black Eagle chased by 2 Whitecollared Raven. Then, we visit Harold Porter Botanic Garden were seen a Paradise Flaycatcher. Baboons are common in this area, even in suburbia and gardens.
(site 32, suite) Evening and night in a caravan park at the Palmiet River mouth, just before Kleinmond (coming from Betty's Bay: Crested, Common and Sandwich Terns, Black Oystercatchers, Chestnutbanded Plovers, Rameron Pigeons, Fiscal Flycatchers, several Sunbirds, Cape Batis, etc.
08/10/1997 (site 32, suite) Return at Sir Lowry's Pass with a strong wind: 2 Greywinged Francolins and 2 Victorin's Warblers.
We cross then Cape Town driving the N2 and the N7 up to Malmesbury were turn left on R315 for Darling and Yzerfontein. Between Malmesbury and Darling: 3 Blackshouldered Kites, 11 White Pelicans flying. Between Darling and Yzerfontein, 3 Blackshouldered Kites, 5 White Pelicans and some Cape Francolins. We drive a bad gravel road east Yserfontein: Ostriches, Blackshouldered Kites, European Bee©eaters, and 3 Black Korhaan (2 males + 1 female). Return on R27 and drive for Langebaan caravan park were stay 2 nights (6 /night)
09/10/1997 (site 33) Morning in the West Coast National Park (entrance 2.50 for 2 peoples). The lagon is very large and there is only 2 hides. In front of the first hide (the nearer of Langebaan) we seen numerous palearctic shorebirds: 150 Curlew Sandpipers, Grey Plovers, 38 Whimbrels, a dozen of Turnstones, 6 Ringed Plovers (not common here), 1 Curlew (a rare bird in South Africa) and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit.
There are also some local shorebirds: 150 Chestnutbanded and 2 Kittlitz's Plovers. At the second hide, on the south of the lagon: Redchested Flufftail (1 seen + 3 heard), 1 African Marsh Harrier, more than 200 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Little Stints, 2 Ringedand 3 Threebanded Plovers. A pair of Kittlitz's Plovers creates a diversion. Above the water, about 20 White Pelicans, hundreds of Cormorants and Terns are fishing. There is also 1 Osprey. Along the road between the 2 hides: several Angulate Tortoises and a wonderful black Mole Snake Pseudaspis cana 2 m !). Birds are Black Harrier, several Blackshouldered Kites, 1 cape Francolin with 9 youngs, 1 Greywinged Francolin. Mammals: 1 Steenbok, 1 Grysbok, some Dassies des rochers and 1 rat Otomys unisulcatus
Then drive for the north. Just after the Langebaan exit, 1 female of Black Korhaan.
(site 34) We drive R27 for Veldriff. A party of 32 Springboks 25 km before this small town, 1 male Black Korhaan 10 km after. At Veldriff, view on the western part of the salt pans. Coming from the south, turn left just before the Berg River bridge and drive 4 or 5 km then turn right on a large gravel road. Salt pans are at the end of the road. We seen: hundreds of Greater Flamingos (numerous youngs), 30 Lesser Flamingos, Banded Martins, a pair of Cape Teals guarding 7 youngs against Kelp and Hartlaub's Gulls, Avocets, Great Crested Grebe, Namaqua Dove, etc. At the Berg River bridge: 11 White Pelicans, Caspian terns, Blackwinged Stilts, Blacksmith Plovers, Swallows and Martins.
Then we drive the paved road for Hopefield which follows the Berg River: 1 Yellowbilled Egret, 3 Glossy Ibis, 116 South African Shelducks, Black Korhaans, 1 Spurwinged Goose, Blackheaded Heron, Yellowbilled Kites, Namaqua Dove, etc. In the Laaiplek harbour (west of Veldriff), there is a Terns roost. In the water, 1 Cape Fur Seal. Then we drive south for Langebaan. 10 km south of Veldriff, we see a Secretary Bird flying 3 m above the road and landing just 30 m of our car.
10/10/1997 We drive south for Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope Reserve. Numerous peoples and few birds: Cape Gannet, Crowned, Cape and Whitebreasted Cormorants ; a big Baboon at the car park !
11/10/1997 (site 35) We settle for 3 nights in the Chapman's Peak caravan park at Noordhoek, between Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope. It is a farm caravan park with horses, peacocks, geese, hens, Guineafowls, Cattle Egrets, Sacred Ibis, cows... It is a good place to rest in Cape Peninsula because its central situation. Principal bird species seen are Spotted Dikkop, a nest of Cape Turtle Dove (with 2 youngs), 1 male of African Goshawk displaying, Pied Kingfisher, Cape Siskin, Cloud Cisticola, Dusky Flycatcher, several Sunbirds, Bokmakierie, etc.
(site 35, suite) All the day in the Kirstenboch Botanical Garden. Extraordinairy ! Flowers are wonderful and we forgot see birds but very tame Cape Sugarbirds and Southern Boubous!
12/10/1997 (site 35, suite) Attempt to see sea birds at Kommetjie, but the wind is not good. Only seen: cape Gannets, Black Oystercatchers, Scred Ibis and numerous Cape Wagtails. More interesting, a Terns roost with 150 Common and Sandwich, 60 Crested and 14 Antarctic in breeding plumage.
(site 36) Then come to Rondevlei, a birds refuge in Cape Town suburbias. Lake withe large reedbeds and bushes. Several hides. We seen 8 Darters, 6 African Spoonbills, Glossy and Sacred Ibis, several White Pelicans, 1 Purple Gallinule and 2 Purple Herons. We don't seen Hippopotamus but a Striped Mouse.
At Fish Hoek Bay numerous people watch to Southern Right Whales and Cape Fur Seals.
13/10/1997 2 nights in Ritz Protea Inn in Sea Point.
14/10/1997 Last watching at Lion's Head: 1 Cape Rock Thrush, Neddicky, Rock Kestrel. The, we walk along the sea front and the play grounds: numerous Cormorants (2 Bank), 8 Jackass Penguins with a young swiming just at the dyke bottom. Also seen 1 Cape Fur Seal and 2 Common Dolphins. On the lawns of the play grounds: a pair of Blacksmith Plovers with 2 youngs, 19 Crowned Plovers (1 incubating), more of 30 Cape Canaries. At the 21st story of the hotel a Rock Pigeon at nest with 2 youngs. Storm is blowing.
15/10/1997 Cape Town Airport. Last bird seen, an House Sparrow. The plane takes off at 16h 05. Temperature 26C. Arrival at Roissy Airport 16/10/1997 at 6h 30 am, temperature is 8. Our selection: Lambert's Bay, Nieuwoudtville area, Graaff-Reinet, Mondplass marshes, Plettenberg Bay and all the area between Swellendam and Cap Agulhas.
