kb57
Well-known member
My other half has a trip to Cape Town organised in March with her non-birding friend. It's her first time in Africa, although her friend has visited lots of times before. They've organised what I hope will be a happy compromise for them between shopping and nature-related activities. The latter include organised tours to Boulders Beach for the penguins; Cape of Good Hope; Table Mountain; the botanical gardens - as well as Robben Island, which I note has some birding interest from the boat trip.
Although I'm guessing these will all be tourist related tours, a quick look at eBird suggests that, penguins aside, all will offer some opportunities to see birds.
I've downloaded eBird checklists for her (although I'm a bit perplexed by the ostrich record on Robben Island...), but would like to buy her a guidebook to help her ID stuff. I've had a look at NHBS catalogue, but all I can find are 'serious' field guides to southern African birds, which will be a bit overwhelming for her, with a lot of species she's not going to see. Does anyone know of a guidebook which focusses on birds of the Cape area? Based on past experience, this won't head off a stream of back-of-camera pics WhatsApped to me with ID requests, but it might help!
Any other advice on what the casual birder might look out for at these sites will be gratefully received and passed on!
Although I'm guessing these will all be tourist related tours, a quick look at eBird suggests that, penguins aside, all will offer some opportunities to see birds.
I've downloaded eBird checklists for her (although I'm a bit perplexed by the ostrich record on Robben Island...), but would like to buy her a guidebook to help her ID stuff. I've had a look at NHBS catalogue, but all I can find are 'serious' field guides to southern African birds, which will be a bit overwhelming for her, with a lot of species she's not going to see. Does anyone know of a guidebook which focusses on birds of the Cape area? Based on past experience, this won't head off a stream of back-of-camera pics WhatsApped to me with ID requests, but it might help!
Any other advice on what the casual birder might look out for at these sites will be gratefully received and passed on!