This trip report was provided by Johan van der Westhuizen.
It was a traumatic lead-up to our eventual departure from the Eastcliff SPAR parking area on-route to the Black Oystercatcher on the Agulhas plains. On Friday, four people cancelled for various reasons.
Then a puncture sidelined one of our designated 4×4’s, leaving the two occupants with insufficient time to get to the Black Oystercatcher in time.
We decided to stick to the tar roads and travelled via Gansbaai, Baardskeerdersbos & Elim. Along the way, the devastation from the recent veld fires was very heartbreaking to witness. It will take years for the Fauna & Flora to recover from this disaster.
At the Black Oystercatcher, we met our guide, Dylan, and three other birders. After the necessary admin, we quickly transferred to the Safari vehicle and the one 4×4 and set off. Overcast conditions made spotting birds as well as photography very challenging. Dylan led the two-vehicle convoy on the designated route with patience, having to stop at every bird sighted by the eager birders on the back of the Safari vehicle. A Black Harrier was spotted by the occupants of the 4×4 but sadly were not seen by those on the Safari vehicle. Surprisingly, a Malachite Kingfisher was seen flying past, far from any water, probably moving between two water bodies. A very observant birder on the back of the Safari vehicle, spotted a Cape Longclaw in the long grass. One of the photographers followed it on foot, trying to get a decent picture.
We stopped and disembarked at the waterbody where the Hippos are normally found. Apart from the Hippos, there were numerous Spur-winged and Egyptian Geese on the water, with more gliding in at intervals to join them. Two South African Shelduck were also spotted. A Pied Kingfisher entertained the crowd, hovering above the water and then diving to grab its prey. Our next stop at another waterbody where, similarly, it was full of water birds, mostly geese. Great White Pelicans could be seen in the distance. Everybody soon tucked into their respective refreshments, keeping a watchful eye out for anything with feathers & wings. Two African Fish Eagles soared high above, emitting their iconic cries. An African Marsh Harrier flew past just as we were about to leave.
Dylan then took us to a water filled quarry, where amongst the numerous White-faced Whistling Ducks and Red-billed Teal, two Fulvous Whistling Ducks could be seen. The photographers immediately zoomed in on these beautiful and seldom seen birds. On the way back, two Bokmakieries flew over the road, just to disappear into the thickets without offering a photo opportunity.
All in all, it turned out to be a very pleasant day with 62 bird species logged on the trip, excluding those seen on the way there and back. Everyone agreed that it was a very enjoyable outing. Thanks goes to Dylan, our guide for his patience and for sharing his knowledge and love for Nature with us.
Our next outing is to Jessie Walton’s farm, Keurbos, in the picturesque Elgin Valley on the 21st of February 2026.