------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Top Birds ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fairy Flycatcher Tour -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It can be difficult visiting
the Tanqua Karoo in one day, so we usually suggest that the area is
explored over at least two days.
Typically our tours encompass a relaxed drive, via Paarl for some
superb fynbos and water birding (and perhaps some lunch!), arriving
in the Tanqua
Karoo with enough time to do some afternoon birding, before we treat
ourselves to some excellent Karoo hospitality at a local guest farm.
The “real” birding will begin when we arrive at Karoopoort
with Namaqua Warbler, Mountain Wheatear,
and a host of scrub species including one of our personal favourites,
Fairy Flycatcher, typically putting in an appearance.
From Karoopoort we will work our way northwards along the edge of
the Karoo to a series of prime sites, in search other desirable species
such as Karoo Eremomela, Spike-heeled Lark,
Tractrac Chat and Pririt Batis.
The fresh Karoo air should have us up early on day two, ready for
a pre-breakfast foray for the enigmatic Burchell’s Courser.
This species can be very tricky to find, but Karoo Longbilled
Lark, Namaqua Sandgrouse and Tractrac
Chat should keep us company as we search.
The remainder of the day will be spent searching the parched brown
expanses, aloe-lined escarpments and lonely isolated hills of the
area. Cinnamon-breasted Warbler (with some expert
knowledge and luck!), Layard’s Titbabbler,
Rufous-eared Warbler, Karoo Korhaan,
Karoo Chat and Pale-chanting Goshawk
should also be added to the days list!
Our return loop to Cape Town can be incorporated with a series of
three mountain passes which offer plenty of fynbos specials (e.g.
Cape Rockjumper
and Victorin's Warbler) in addition to spectacular
Cape mountain landscape, but does require sufficient time.
The Tanqua Karoo can also be successfully combined with visits to
the West Coast and Overberg regions, but this requires a few additional
days. Let us know if you are interested in this combination, it makes
for an excellent trip!
Karoo
Korhaan 
