East of False Bay, the contours of the Hottentots Holland
plunge precipitously into the sea, creating a spectacular stretch of coastline
where mountain fynbos and marine specials can be seen virtually alongside
each other.
Our first port of call is the seaside village of Rooi Els, perched between
high mountains and rocky shore. Along the rocky, lower mountain slopes
we’ll search for the striking Cape Rockjumper,
Ground Woodpecker, Familiar Chat, Cape
Bunting and Cape Sentinel (rare) Rock
Thrushes. Overhead, we may spot Verreaux’s Eagle,
Peregrine, Rock Kestrel or Jackal
Buzzard. Surrounding fynbos vegetation is excellent for Orange-breasted
Sunbird and Cape Sugarbird, and with some luck
we may see Cape Siskin.
From here we continue along the coast to the village
of Betty’s Bay and nearby Stoney Point, site of one of only two
mainland colonies of African Penguin. Here too, we have
the opportunity to compare all four species of marine cormorants. Bank
Cormorant breed here, alongside the more common Crowned,
Cape and White-breasted Cormorants.
Next, we visit the picturesque Harold Porter Botanical
Gardens. The cultivated gardens are surrounded by moist mountain fynbos
dissected by two forested ravines. Common birds of the lower gardens are
Black Saw-wing Swallow (in summer), Cape Bulbul,
Karoo Prinia, Southern Boubou, Malachite,
Orange-breasted and Southern Double-collared
Sunbirds, Yellow Bishop, Bully Canary
and conveniently accessible Cape Siskin. There are usually
swifts and swallows foraging overhead (including Rock Martin
and African Black and Alpine Swifts),
alongside soaring raptors (most commonly Black Eagle
and Jackal Buzzard). Forested gorges provide Bar-throated
Apalis, Cape Batis, Paradise
(summer) and Dusky Flycatchers, and occasionally Swee
Waxbill and Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher.
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.
