South Africa Western Cape Extension IV 18Th to 23Rd April 2017 (6 Days) Trip Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
South Africa Western Cape Extension IV 18th to 23rd April 2017 (6 days) Trip Report Knysna Woodpecker by Clayton Burne Trip report compiled by Tour Leader, André Bernon Trip Report – RBT South Africa - Cape Extension IV 2017 2 Tour Summary Our short 6-day extension to our eastern South African tour took us to the Cape region on the southernmost tip of Africa. We followed a slightly different itinerary on this tour, rather than the one used on our regularly run Cape extensions. We had decided to forfeit our time in the mother city – Cape Town, missing out on our normally scheduled pelagic trip into these rich waters. The reason being that all participants were set to join on a 4-night birding cruise dubbed “Flock at Sea Again” that was organised by BirdLife South Africa and set to sail into fantastic pelagic birding waters. Bearing this in mind, we changed the itinerary to our advantage and incorporated De Hoop, encompassing a whole range of other possible endemics! This area of South Africa has an extremely high number of endemics – both faunal and floral – and is the world’s smallest floristic kingdom! Birding highlights were specials such as Knysna Woodpecker, Forest and Jackal Buzzards, Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted, Malachite and Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, Protea and Forest Canaries, Southern Tchagra, Cape Spurfowl, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk, African Oystercatcher, African Penguin, Hartlaub’s Gull, Crowned, Cape and Bank Cormorants, Agulhas Long-billed, Large-billed and Karoo Larks, Black Harrier, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Cape Penduline Tit, Rufous-eared, Cinnamon-breasted, Victorin’s and Namaqua Warblers, White- backed Mousebird, Fairy Flycatcher, Southern Black and Karoo Korhaans and Grey-winged Francolin. Mammalian species that are worth a mention included Brant’s Whistling Rat, the Cape sub-species of Mountain Zebra, the largest antelope in the world – Common Eland, the Bontebok sub-species of Blesbok, Springbok and Cape Grysbok. The food and wine were definitely highlights, too. ________________________________________________________________________________ Day one saw us starting mid-morning from the coastal village of Simon’s Town. We made our way over the famous Table Mountain toward the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. With its fantastic variety of indigenous plant species and natural vegetation surrounding the garden, this is a fantastic destination to get accustomed to some South African birding. Upon arrival, we were treated to a singing flock of about fifteen Cape Canaries. We scoured through the gardens and picked up many Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk by Adam Riley Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Cape White-eye, Sombre Greenbul, impressive Cape Batis, Olive Thrush, Cape Bulbul and African Dusky Flycatcher. After hearing the squawks of some Cape Spurfowls, we went in search and found a few confiding individuals that gave excellent views. After a great lunch in some much-needed shade, we made our way to one of the best birding spots in the country – Strandfontein Waste Water Treatment Plant. A stunning Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk was seen rising on a thermal en route. Levaillant’s Cisticola was evident from the start, on the edge of the marshes, while Lesser Swamp and Little Rush Warblers required some patience. Waterfowl were seen in their hundreds and most abundant were Cape Teal, Cape Shoveler, Yellow-billed Duck and Southern Pochard. Common Moorhen and Red-knobbed Coot were present in their hundreds whilst a small flock of White- winged Terns were seen foraging low over the water, including one individual in breeding plumage. A memorable sighting was that of an African Fish Eagle with its Greater Crested Tern prey – Trip Report – RBT South Africa - Cape Extension IV 2017 3 witnessing the fruitless attempts from the tern to dissuade its outcome was a sad site. Hundreds of waders were present and we managed to pick out Ruff, Little Stint and Three-banded and Grey Plovers whilst a tern roost produced Greater Crested and Sandwich Terns, as well as many Hartlaub’s, Kelp and a few Grey-headed Gulls. Many Greater Flamingos were seen feeding in the pans and a handful of African Oystercatchers flew by. We made our way back to Simon’s Town and after a delicious seafood dinner and a glass of Chardonnay, we retreated to a good night’s rest after a successful day. An early breakfast watching the sunrise over False Bay was memorable. After which we bid farewell to Simon’s Town and made our way around False Bay. A brief stop at Strandfontein once again gave us some new sightings, such as Hottentot Teal, Maccoa Duck, a couple of African Marsh Harriers, White-necked Raven and a single Common Ringed Plover. We got fantastic views of Little Rush Warblers Orange-breasted Sunbird by Adam Riley displaying and African Swamphen is always nice to look at. We moved even further around the peninsula and up Sir Lowry’s Pass. The parking lot provided us with our first Cape Rock Thrush and the spectacular walk within pristine Fynbos habitat provided us with cracking views of Cape Sugarbird, stunning Orange-breasted Sunbird, Grey-backed Cisticola and Familiar Chat. We heard the distinctive call of a major target in this biome and eventually got superb views of two Victorin’s Warblers interacting with one another – out in the open! More Rock Kestrel and White-necked Raven were seen overhead before we moved back down the pass for a bite to eat. We rounded the eastern end of False Bay and were treated to a fantastic sighting of a huge pod of Long-beaked Common Dolphins! They were pretty close to the shoreline and we watched as they moved around lazily, taking in this memorable occurrence. Our next stop was at Stony Point – the largest breeding colony of African Penguins on the mainland, with an estimated population standing at approximately 9,000 individuals! We enjoyed close up views of this charismatic species as they went about their daily routines. We also saw many Rock Hyraxes – the closest living relative to elephants! We sifted through an impressive cormorant colony and managed to pick out the rare Crowned and Bank amongst many Cape and White-breasted Cormorants! We decided to move on to the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, which is exquisite and always quite a treat. Dodging some Chacma Baboons in the parking area, we had a lovely walk around. Species we managed to find were Neddicky, Swee Waxbill, Fork-tailed Drongo, African Dusky Flycatcher, Cape Bulbul, Southern Double Collared Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird and many Cape Robin-Chats. We then had to make our way east to the De Hoop area and the wheat fields of the Overberg. This area is well-known as the Blue Crane by Steve Davis Trip Report – RBT South Africa - Cape Extension IV 2017 4 only place to find the endemic Agulhas Long-billed Lark, as well as many other good species, and is the western limit of some exciting species too. The drive was very scenic and South Africa’s national bird – the Blue Crane – was seen in very good numbers. Literally thousands of Helmeted Guineafowl scurried over the fields whilst Jackal Buzzard and Black-winged Kites were numerous and perched conspicuously. We saw flocks of Southern Red and Yellow Bishops and Yellow Canaries. Two small falcons were seen and we managed to ID them as Peregrine Falcons of the minor sub-species. We enjoyed a group of Denham’s Bustards strolling across a field, also many Pied Starling and Red-capped Lark. Arriving at our accommodation set along the stunning Breede River, with a vista to remember, we settled down and were treated to a lovely home-cooked dinner consisting of Ostrich fillet steak. Another early breakfast was devoured as we watched the bird feeders on the veranda. The Cape Sugarbird by Hugh Chittenden culprits were many Streaky-headed Seedeaters, Speckled Mousebird, Cape Weaver and Cape Sparrow. A short walk around the garden produced our first Karoo Scrub Robin, Brimstone Canary and Greater Double-collared Sunbird. Soon afterwards, we heard the faint call of a major target, and one of the toughest endemics to South Africa – Knysna Woodpecker. This striking woodpecker’s activity peaks just after sunrise, when it calls every 15 – 20 minutes, and finding this gem is a task-and-a-half. We tried our luck at finding this attractive species but, unfortunately, missed out. We hopped in our vehicle and made our way to the wheat fields and quickly managed to pick up on a pair of Karoo Korhaan! Another endemic. We watched as they preened in the morning sun. We left them in peace and went in search of some larks. We passed more Blue Crane, Denham’s Bustard and a new canary in the form of White-throated Canary. We stopped at a field that looked promising and immediately heard the distinctive two-note call of the Agulhas Long-billed Lark! We went in search and found two birds displaying in the distance. We then focussed on some Plain-backed and African Pipits, Bokmakierie and another lark – Large- billed Lark! As we were watching it display, we peered to the side only to find the Agulhas Long- billed Lark had moved closer and proceeded to call from a fence post a mere 20 metres from us! We witnessed a stunning adult Cape Vulture soaring overhead before finding many birds perched in some fields and soaring low overhead on a thermal. We made our way to De Hoop Nature Reserve and saw many Common Ostrich, Cape Sugarbird, Karoo Prinia, Cape Spurfowl and Cape Bulbul. Some exciting mammals were the Bontebok sub-species of Blesbok, as well as the large Common Eland and the Cape sub-species of Mountain Zebra.