Herero Chat (1 Viewer)

[Steve Babbs]

Looking through trip reports it seems that Spitzkoppe is now a very tricky place to see Herero Chat. Anyone know of a more reliable site?

 

[Jos Stratford]

I think they have always been a tad tricky at Spitzkoppe, but it is the best locality. You really should be there at dawn and work carefully the acacias and scrub on the flat lands immediately adjacent to the rockfaces, both left and right of the parking area. If you give it time, I think you will get them. The best areas in my experience are where small necks of acacia cut into the massive - don't scramble around on the rocks, but work the acacia edges.

Maye other person will advise of other localities, all my sightings have been at Spitzkoppe sorry.

 

[Wilkinsonsworld]

Steve, We also saw them at Spitzkoppe. We hiked around Small Bushman's Paradise and found about six pairs on the rocks and in the trees there. Not sure where else you could find them. Sorry.

 

[jc122463]

Spitzkoppe is definitely the place I've had the most luck as well. I had no problem finding them there last year, but haven't been back since. I have found them heading down Spreetshoogte pass towards Walvis Bay though as well. I'm sure there would be other areas if you keep your eye and ears open in the right habitat.

Cheers,
Benji

 

[Steve Babbs]

Thanks for the replies. I'll give Spitzkoppe a try - it sounds like a scenic spot for the family. We'll camp for a night so that I can try dawn and dusk. I can't find precise directions but it seems the road between Spreetshoogte Pass and Walvis Bay, as mentioned by Benji, is an area for them as well as the Uis area.

 

[Jos Stratford]

I can't find precise directions but it seems the road between Spreetshoogte Pass and Walvis Bay, as mentioned by Benji, is an area for them as well as the Uis area.

You stand a million more chances of finding them at Spitskoppe ...and your family will less likely divorse you - hours on the arid plains ain't a shave on the scenic Spitskoppe

 

[James Bray]

Callan Cohen told me in an email that there is a local guide at Spitzkoppe studying their nesting, so it might be worth asking at the gate / reception when you arrive there if he/she can meet up with you.
I'd really recommend Spitzkoppe. It is a beautiful place - would be magical to camp there, especially if you have a clear night.
There are also plenty of other dry country species to keep you distracted (e.g. White-tailed Shrike).

 

[Steve Babbs]

In case it is of use to others I failed at Spitzkoppe but I did see a pair at Uis at about the same spot as Phil Benstead had seen them several years earlier. Further directions available if anyone wants them.

 

[angi-p]

Further directions

Hi Steve!

We will visit Namibia in 4 weeks time and I`d be glad if you could give me further directions to find the Herero Chat at Uis. We will also visit the north-western part (Epupa Falls). Have you been there also?

Kind regards

Angi

 

[Steve Babbs]

You take the north junction out of Uis to get back on the road. Then, after a km or so, turn right. Then it's a couple of km until you come to a dry river valley. I had them up the valley, on the right hand side. I would have been about 500m up the valley. Sorry this not very precise but I'm pretty sure it's the only dry river valley that close to town and we found it easily from vaguer directions

 

[angi-p]

Thank you Steve!

I will let you know if we found them when we are back (in the middle of November).

Kind regards

Angi