Birding, like gardening has
its seasons: one could consider winter as the quiet season since the summer
migrants are missing and will not be back with us until October. We are
fortunate, however, in the Agulhas area, to have a sizeable list of sought-after
birds, some of which appear on the globally threatened list, which are with us
all the year round. This includes Denham’s Bustard, Black Harrier, African Marsh
Harrier, Blue Crane, KAROO Koran, Grey-winged Francolin, Long-billed Pipit,
Agulhas Long-billed Lark, and Agulhas Clapper Lark, not forgetting the sunbirds,
those jewels of the bird world : Malachite, Greater and Lesser Double-collared
and Orange-breasted (another “special” for this area).
The Overberg region is good raptor country;
species which one can look out for at this time of year include Secretary bird,
Jackal Buzzard, and African Harrier Hawk (Gymnogene). The latter seem to favour
gum trees for roosting and nesting: a pair has been raising a family in a group
of these trees which we can see from our window in Napier and are now busy
causing mayhem amongst the local chicken population!
The Overberg Wheat belt, now glorious in its
winter colours and textures of waving green wheat interspersed with patches of
brilliant yellow canola, is home to such species as Cape Crow, Large-billed and
Red-capped Larks, Capped Wheatear, Cape Long claw, African Pied Starling and
Pin-tailed Whydah ( that little bird with great “attitude”) to name but a few.
Now to “Forthcoming Attractions”: the fynbos
is already starting to show signs of bursting into full bloom in the coming
month and whilst the flora grabs your attention, be aware of the birds in its
midst such as Cape Sugarbird, Cape Francolin, Cape Bulbul and rare Cape Siskin,
not forgetting the above-mentioned Orange Breasted Sunbird which is associated
with the Erica’s, and the Bokmakerie. If you are by the sea, the months of
August to October are most rewarding for pelagic birding. Keep an eye on the
Springfield saltpans (off the Springfield/Brandfontein road) for the return of
the Greater and Lesser Flamingos.
Hopefully you are now all fired up to go out
and do some birding so don’t forget that the second Sasol
Agulhas Birding Weekend will take place in Agulhas National Park on30 October TO
the1 November. This promises to be a great event with guest speaker”. Please
contact us for further details.
Read more about birding for beginners
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