Cape West Coast Birding

The Cape West Coast has unrivalled geographical diversity. The Cape Floral Kingdom,(including Fynbos), spectacular land- and seascapes.

The West Coast offers the experience of birding in mountain, coastal, estuarine and sandveld habitats. The region is blessed with an abundance of birding "hotspots" that include 8 IBA's and 2 RAMSAR sites. Birders will delight in the many rare and native species. The Berg River region attracts large
numbers of flamingos, spoonbills, avocets and glossy ibis.

The West Coast is home to the Flamingo Birding Route. It stretches from Cape Town on the R27 coastal road northwards along the Atlantic seaboard to the mouth of the Olifants River, eastwards into the hinterland to include the Cederberg Mountains, and then turn southwards along the N7 highway back to Cape Town.

Ideal uncontaminated views of numerous bird species are visible on this spectacular route. The Berg River stretches for almost 300 km and is home to over 20 000 birds from over 183 species, of which at least 70 are water birds, making this site an IBA.

The area of the Lower Berg River area has become well known for spotting rare waders. In summer, over 8 000 migrant waders can be present here, especially Curlew sandpiper and Little stint. Much of the area is accessible and thus relatively easy to cover.

Rarities include Common Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Lesser Sand Plover, Red-necked Phalarope, Eurasian Oystercatcher,
Pectoral Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper (possibly regular), Wilson's Phalarope, Red-tailed Tropicbird and Franklin's Gull.

The following list show the bird species available on the farm (in no specific order):