specialist bird guiding

Cape Bunting. Copyright: Trevor HardakerZest for Birds have designed a number of land based day trip itineraries aimed at giving the visiting birder access to as many of the Cape's endemics and near endemics as possible. While these focus on the important bird species, the leaders pride themselves in a broad knowledge of the natural history of the region, and will give attention to all other forms of fauna wherever possible, including whales, dolphins, other mammals, reptiles and frogs.

The land based day trips are intended to complement the pelagic trips offered by Zest for Birds, and are generally run on the spare day booked for the pelagic trip. This is normally Sunday, but is brought forward to Saturday on occasions where the pelagic trip is delayed due to inclement weather.

These land based birding trips can, of course, also be run as stand-alone trips independent of any pelagic trip, or can be run on the day of the pelagic trip for those who prefer not to join their companions at sea. This is subject to the availability of birding guides on the day.

In addition to the structured itineraries detailed below, more specific, customised itineraries can be prepared to suit individual's requirements or "wish-lists", whether this be by means of a modification or combination of the structured itineraries or a birding tour further afield.

The following standard day trip itineraries are offered:

PENINSULA HIGHLIGHTS

With its stunning scenic beauty, extensive beaches, wine estates and pleasant climate, the Cape Peninsula is already a highlight of most visits to South Africa. This day trip gives the visiting birder broad exposure to the scenic beauty of the Peninsula, while picking out the endemic and spectacular bird species that are available in the vicinity. We visit Cape of Good Hope, the most south westerly point of Africa for a firm footed view of the rugged coastline that is seen from a different perspective on the pelagic trip, and stop in Boulders Beach for an encounter with African Penguins. A visit to Kommetjie provides a further sample of marine species, while Silvermine Reserve and Tokai Forest offer other fynbos specials as well as species adapted to the plantations.

Strandfontein Sewage Works. Copyright: Trevor HardakerA visit to the extensive Strandfontein Sewage Works will offer a large number of marine and fresh water species, and will be complemented, if necessary, by a visit to the nearby Rondevlei Nature Reserve. During our sojourn at the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, in the shadow of Table Mountain, we will stroll through the vast manicured fynbos gardens with their generous attendance of endemic species, and through the damp forests on the precipitous slopes of the mountain.



Targetted Species:

Antarctic Tern. Copyright: Ian SinclairEndemics and near Endemics: Jackass Penguin, Cape Gannet, Bank, Cape & Crowned Cormorants, South African Shelduck, Cape Shoveller, Forest & Jackal Buzzard, Greywing & Cape Francolin, African Black Oystercatcher, Hartlaubs Gull, Antarctic Tern (winter), Burchell's Coucal, Ground Woodpecker, Clapper Lark, Greater striped Swallow, Cape Bulbul, Cape Rock Thrush, Knysna Warbler, Grassbird, Grey backed Cisticola, Spotted Prinia, Fiscal Flycatcher, Cape Batis, Orange throated Longclaw, Southern Boubou, Bokmakierie, Cape Sugarbird, Orangebreasted & Lesser double collared Sunbird, Cape White Eye, Cape Sparrow, Cape Weaver, Forest Canary, Cape Siskin, Cape Bunting.

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HOTTENTOTS HOLLAND

Cape Rockjumper. Copyright: John GrahamThe Hottentots Holland Mountains and their surrounds on the eastern side of the Cape Flats provide relatively easy access to a number of species that are difficult to find on, or are entirely absent from the Cape Peninsula. This day trip focusses on finding such species. We will visit the mountain fynbos and gorges of the beautiful Harold Porter Botanical Gardens, the lofty ridges of the summit of Sir Lowry's Pass, the popular Helderberg Nature Reserve with it's sprawling mature fynbos, and time permitting, will also visit the Paarl Mountain Reserve and the Paarl Bird Sanctuary. This tour will take us through the heart of the Western Capes winelands, with their picturesque setting and their plentiful culinary distractions and offers many good birds.

Cape Francolin. Copyright: Trevor HardakerTargetted Species:

Endemics and near Endemics: Jackal Buzzard, Black Harrier, Greywing & Cape Francolin, Hartlaubs Gull, Greater striped Swallow, Cape Bulbul, Cape & Sentinel Rock Thrush, Cape Rockjumper, Victorin's Warbler, Grassbird, Grey backed Cisticola, Spotted Prinia, Fiscal Flycatcher, Cape Batis, Orange throated Longclaw, Southern Boubou, Cape Sugarbird, Orange breasted and Lesser double collared Sunbird, Cape White Eye, Cape Sparrow, Cape Weaver, Swee Waxbill, Cape Siskin, Protea Canary.

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SOUTH COAST SPECIALS

Thick billed lark. Copyright: John GrahamA day trip along the south coast of the Western Cape brings one into the range of many species not available closer to Cape Town, in particular in the indigenous forests and coastal scrub forests of the area. We will visit the extensive Grootvadersbosch indigenous forest east of Swellendam, and will explore the farming areas on the approaches to this marvellous nature reserve. We will also visit the De Hoop Nature Reserve and search its scrub forest and coastal fynbos for exclusive species such as Southern Tchagra and Knysna Woodpecker. A visit to the nearby Potberg Nature Reserve should provide views of the endangered Cape Vulture at its southern most breeding colony, and in summer we will conclude with a visit to the De Mond Nature Reserve to look for the Damara Tern at its breeding site in the coastal dunes.

Targetted Species:

Orange throated Lonclaw. Copyright: John GrahamEndemics and near Endemics: South African Shelduck, Cape Shoveller, Cape Vulture, Forest Buzzard, Jackal Buzzard, Greywing & Cape Francolin, Blue Crane, Karoo Korhaan, Southern Black Korhaan, African Black Oystercatcher, Hartlaub's Gull, Damara Tern, White backed Mousebird, Acacia Pied Barbet, Knysna Woodpecker, Clapper, Karoo, Agulhas Long billed & Thick billed Larks, Grey backed finch Lark, Greater striped Swallow, Cape Bulbul, Karoo Robin, Knysna Warbler, Victorin's Warbler, Grassbird, Spotted Prinia, Grey backed Cisticola, Fiscal Flycatcher, Cape Batis, Orange throated Longclaw, Southern Boubou, Southern Tchagra, Bokmakierie, Olive Bush Shrike, Pied Starling, Cape Sugarbird, Orange breasted, Lesser & Greater double collared Sunbirds, Cape White Eye, Cape Sparrow, Cape Weaver, Swee Waxbill, Forest Canary, Cape Siskin, Yellow Canary, White throated Canary

Other Specials: Crowned Eagle, Red necked Francolin, Stanley Bustard, Olive Woodpecker, Grey Cuckoo Shrike, Narina Trogon, African Paradise Flycatcher, Blue mantled Flycatcher, Yellow throated Warbler

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STRANDVELD AND SALTMARSH

Chestnut banded Plover. Copyright: John GrahamThis day trip takes us up the west coast of the Western Cape and exposes us to the many species available in the short scrubby strandveld vegetation and the mudflats, pans and saltmarsh of the West Coast National Park and its environs. We will begin the journey with a visit to strandveld vegetation at Silverstroomstrand, some 40 km north of Cape Town, and will follow this with a look in at Tienie Versveld Nature Reserve where one is exposed to a number of species typical of the West Coast farmlands. From here we will move on to the excellent West Coast National Park for further strandveld birding as well as wader watching and a leisurely stroll to hides overlooking large expanses of saltmarsh. We will then visit the vast mudflats (tide permitting) and salt pans at the mouth of the Berg River at Velddrif, and will take a last look at the larks, chats and other 'little brown jobs' characteristic of the area as we drive down to Paternoster and the Ultra Salt Works, just north of Saldanha Bay.

Targetted Species:

Cape Gannet. Copyright: Ian SinclairEndemics and near Endemics: Cape Gannet, Cape & Crowned Cormorant, South African Shelduck, Cape Shoveller, Jackal Buzzard, Black Harrier, Greywing & Cape Francolin, Blue Crane, Southern Black Korhaan, African Black Oystercatcher, Hartlaub's Gull, White backed Mousebird, Acacia Pied Barbet, Karoo, Thick billed & Cape Long billed Lark, Grey backed Finch Lark, Greater striped Swallow, Southern Grey Tit, Cape Penduline Tit, Cape Bulbul, Sicklewinged & Ant eating Chat, Karoo Robin, Layard's & Common Tit Babbler, Grassbird, Spotted Prinia, Grey Backed Cisticola, Fiscal Flycatcher, Orange throated Longclaw, Bokmakierie, Pied Starling, Lesser double collared Sunbird, Cape White Eye, Cape Sparrow, Cape Weaver, Yellow Canary, White throated Canary

Other Specials: Greater & Lesser Flamingo, African Marsh Harrier, Chestnut banded Plover, Migrant waders, African Rail, Cloud Cisticola

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KAROO FLATS

The Tanqua Karoo flats some way beyond Ceres provide the closest access for Capetonians to the many endemic species and specials characteristic of the drier regions of Western South Africa. We will leave early from Cape Town with the intention of reaching Karoo Poort, at the south western extremity of the Tanqua Karoo, at sunrise, and will stop there for our first taste of the Karoo specials. We will then move northwards gradually, making forays into the surrounding scrub as it becomes ever sparser, and focussing on finding the species typical of this region. We will make an extended stop at the excellent Katbakkies valley, where the acacia lined river course and steep rocky slopes hold a number of juicy endemic birds. Our journey back to Cape Town will lead us through spectacular mountain passes and species rich farming areas, and we will make a number of stops in the narrow and precipitous Bain's Kloof Pass in search of endemic birds found in this mountain fynbos.

Targetted Species:

Southern Grey Tit. Copyright: Trevor Hardaker Endemics and near Endemics: South African Shelduck, Cape Shoveller, Jackal Buzzard, Pale chanting Goshawk, Southern Black & Karoo Korhaan, Namaqua Sandgrouse, White backed Mousebird, Acacia Pied Barbet, Ground Woodpecker, Clapper, Karoo, Thick billed, Cape Long billed & Spike heeled Lark, Grey backed & Black eared Finch Lark, Greater Striped Swallow, Southern Grey Tit, Cape Penduline Tit(?), Cape Bulbul, Mountain, Tractrac, Karoo & Ant eating Chat, Cape Rockjumper, Karoo Robin, Layard's & Common Tit Babbler, Victorin's Warbler, Karoo Eremomela, Cinnamon breasted Warbler, Grassbird, Spotted & Namaqua Prinia, Grey backed Cisticola, Rufous eared Warbler, Pririt Batis, Fairy Flycatcher, Bokmakierie, Pied Starling, Pale winged Starling, Cape Sugarbird, Orange breasted & Lesser double collared Sunbird, Cape White Eye, Cape Sparrow, Cape Weaver, Yellow Canary, White throated Canary, Black headed Canary

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