This trip report was provided by Johan van der Westhuizen.
The 9 birders left the Onrus OK parking area just before 7 am, in perfect weather conditions, destination Rooiels, where 3 more birders joined the group. Most of the more common birds were ticked off along the way. A small flock of African Olive Pigeons were spotted perched in a tree next to the road as we drove past the Botanical Gardens in Betty’s Bay.
Birds were everywhere as we started walking slowly down the road from the boom gate. Cape Sugarbirds, Cape Buntings, Double-collared Sunbirds, and Cape Canaries were soon added to the growing bird list. A Male Cape Rock Thrush was seen perched on the roof of one of the houses next to the road. Expectations were high after meeting another birder on the road who showed us a close-up photograph of a Peregrine Falcon taken further down the road. He also informed us that he had heard a Rockjumper calling at the same spot. A Cape Grassbird was seen flying into a bush no more than 5 meters from the group but despite spending some time waiting for it to emerge only one photographer managed to get a shot, and that only of the head. We were constantly entertained by Familiar Chats, Orange-breasted Sunbirds, Red-winged Starlings and Malachite Sunbirds flitting amongst the Fynbos, as we strolled down the road to where the Rockjumper was heard. We spent three hours in total at the Rooiels site but disappointingly the Rockjumpers were not seen or heard by anyone in our group. Coffee and breakfast were on the menu as we arrived back at the vehicles.
At Harold Porter Botanical Gardens the group strolled up the path to the waterfall logging birds at regular intervals, Sombre Greenbul, Swee Waxbill, African Dusky Flycatcher and Amethyst Sunbird amongst others. A mixed flock of swallows and swifts graced the skies and produced Black Saw-wing, Greater-striped Swallow, Little Swift, White-rumped Swift, African Black Swift and Alpine Swift. The highlight of the day occurred when we encountered African Paradise Flycatchers, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatchers and Olive Woodpeckers, all in close proximity of the waterfall.
A quick visit to Stony Point produced the ever precent African Penguins with Cape Cormorants, Bank Cormorants and Greater Crested Terns thrown into the mix.
The final bird count was a bit disappointing given the perfect birding conditions, with only 51 species logged. This, however did not detract from the enjoyment of birding in these amazing and beautiful locations.
The next Birdlife Overberg outing is to De Mond Nature Reserve on the 29th of March 2025.