On the 11th December we all drove to Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve at the foot of the Langeberg Mountain Range for a two night stay. The area is managed by Cape Nature & protects 250 hectares of the most ecologically sensitive indigenous forest in the south-western Cape.
Gymnogene
Greater Double collared Sunbird
This species was quite common
along the forest edge.
Fiscal Flycatcher
Evening meal in the cabin.
Langeberg Mountain Range
The accommodation is set amid
spectacular scenery.
Our home for the next two nights.
The cabin was very comfortable.
We spent the afternoon around the cabin,
birding was quite good.
along the forest edge.
Indigenous forest, with the mountains in the distance.
Birding is along tracks & well maintained trails
through the forest.
The forest is very beautiful.
Although there are introduced
species here:
these are Giant Redwoods!
A young Bushbuck
Maarten, having a rest on the trail.
There are two hides in the forest.
Olive Pigeon were common but
difficult to see in the forest.
Olive Woodpecker
I don't see this species very often,
as most of my birding is out
of its range.
Male African Paradise Flycatcher
Male Blue mantled Flycatcher
Dusky Flycatcher
Common along the forest trails.
Cape Batis
Bar throated Apalis
Common species in the forest.
Booted Eagle
Olive Pigeon
species here:
these are Giant Redwoods!
difficult to see in the forest.
as most of my birding is out
of its range.
One morning we spent sometime in the mountain fynbos where Victorin's Warblers were present. At one stage we had five birds singing very close to us & we all got good if brief views but I failed to get any worthwhile photos. very frustrating as they kept to the deepest cover in the thick bracken.
Only 40 species were recorded in the two days, as the habitat is species poor but rich in specials.
Best birds:
Crowned Eagle; Booted Eagle; Gymnogene; Olive Pigeon; Tamborine Dove; Olive Woodpecker; Knysna Woodpecker (heard); Narina Trogon (heard); Blue mantled Flycatcher; Cape Batis; Greater double collared Sunbird.
We all enjoyed this destination, the scenery & accommodation are superb & it would repay a longer visit to go hiking in the hills to get some of the upland specials.
Great White Pelicans.
On the drive back to pearly beach we came across around 50 Great White Pelicans flying low across farmland! We didn't see any decent sized body of water anywhere near this siting!
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