This report was provided by Johan van der Westhuizen.
Weather Forecast: 70% chance of rain with a strong Southeaster. Enough to let any man, or woman stay home & cuddle up. Fifteen birders in six vehicles set off on the Karwyderskraal road, destination the “van der Stel” pass, each vehicle equipped with a two-way radio. A big thank you to the BLO committee for acquiring the 4 new radios to add to the existing 4. It certainly makes it more enjoyable if everyone can share in the sightings.
The predicted rain stayed away, although it was cloudy and quite dark, which made photography a bit challenging. The birds were out in force, and the more common birds were quickly “ticked off”, ibises, doves, sunbirds, stonechats, sparrows & Yellow-billed Kites to name but a few. Greater-striped and White-throated Swallows could be seen swooping under the bridges or perching on fences. As we made our way down the road, Black-headed Herons flew overhead, and Bokmakieries could be heard in the thickets next to the road. A Burchell’s Coucal could be heard calling from the reedbeds along the Botrivier.
Common Quail were very vocal in the wheat fields next to the Swartrivier road while Capped Wheatears, Red-capped – and Large-billed Larks preferred to perch on the fence posts. 50+ Blue Cranes made the convoy stop and everyone embarked to view these magnificent creatures parade and perform their unique courting displays.
A flock of Pied Starlings were seen at their usual spot on the Villiersdorp road. Once on the Hawston View road, the convoy could slow down to better observe the abundance of birds and also enjoy the incredible scenery. The much-anticipated coffee break was taken under the towering Eucalyptus trees lining the road further down. People were chatting away, catching up on lost time and meeting the new members. Cape Weavers and Southern-masked Weavers were busy constructing nests high up in the trees and letting the world know of it. A Cape Bunting was seen on the old telephone wires next to the road.
The Barn Owl usually found in the derelict old building next to the road on the “van der Stel“ pass was nowhere to be seen, but numerous other bird species, including White-rumped Swifts and House Sparrows, were seen.
The next stop a few hundred meters down the road proved very successful. There were numerous African Paradise Flycatchers chasing each other around, a Greater Honeyguide could be heard and a Klaas’s Cuckoo made a brief appearance. We made our way up to the top of the pass where a Verreaux’s Eagle chick was spotted on a nest a few weeks ago. No luck. The nest was empty. We also “dipped” on the White-fronted Bee-eaters that are often seen in the vicinity.
As we made our way back down the pass, a Giant Kingfisher was seen perched on a large rock in the riverbed. A Brown-hooded Kingfisher could be heard calling further up the stream. Further down the road an African Fish Eagle was perched in its usual spot. Lunch was enjoyed at the pond near the Goedvertrouw Homestead, some members electing to make a picnic of it, reclining in the shade on a grass bank near the pond. Red-winged Starlings were feasting on berries in the trees, Streaky-headed Seedeaters were scurrying in the grass, and a lone White-faced Whistling Duck was sitting on another of the pond’s banks. In a little forest a bit further down the road, a Black Sparrowhawk was briefly seen flying low down amongst the trees. An Olive Woodpecker was seen by one member exiting a nest hole.
All too soon, we reached Botrivier, where goodbyes were said and the group dispersed. What an enjoyable outing! So glad that the outing wasn’t called off.
Eighty-seven bird species were logged during the outing.
The next Birdlife Overberg outing is on the 31st of October 2026 to Jessie Walton’s farm, Keurbos, in the Elgin Valley.