Birdwatching

South Africa’s bird population with it’s over 800 species is one of the worlds bird watching hotspots.

From the sea, over mountain ranges, lustrous forests and the Karoo typical half deserts – the bird watcher will find an impressive spectrum of bird species. The different habitats and vegetation zones are often all found within surprisingly small areas.

Almost half of the Kapflora (Capensis) is covered by the Fynbosregion. This vegetation zone in an almost 200km wide coastal region runs along the southern part of the cape. Due to the mediterranean climate there are more than 7000 different types of ferns and blooming plants to be appreciated. More than half of the plant types are endemic – only to be found here! This is one of the reasons why this part of South Africa has been able to develop such a large variety of bird species.

Of the 800 bird species it’s estimated that 150 are endemic. It’s said that this ratio is almost unique on our planet.

Whether from the terrace of your cottage or from the thickly forested rocky gorge which belongs to the park, as a bird watcher you’ll find a wondrously fascinating bird habitat. Within the boundaries of our park the following birds have been recently spotted:

Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, African Paradise-Flycatcher, Fiscal Flycatcher, African Hoopoe, European Bee-eater, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Cardinal Woodpecker, Acacia Pied Barbet, Red-faced Mousebird, Speckled Mousebird, Rock Kestrel, Owls, Laughing Dove, Cape Sparrow, House Sparrow, Southern Masked-Weaver, Cape Weaver, Barn Swallow, White- throated Swallow, Greater Striped Swallow, White-necked Raven, Cape Crow, Fork-tailed Drongo, Cape Wagtail, Cape Bulbul, Karoo Trush, Olive Trush, Cape Rock-Trush, Cape Robin-Chat, Southern Red Bishop, Swee Waxbill, Cape Bunting, Egyptian Goose, Hadeda Ibis, Helmeted Guineafowl, Buzzard, Common Fiscal, Karoo Scrub Robin, Red winged Starling, Little Brown Johns, Pin-tailed Whydah.

Which bird doesn’t dream of such a unique landscape?