Capetown in late August (1 Viewer)

Hi,
I'll be going to Capetown for a couple of days in late August.
Do you know of any must-do regarding birding there ?
I've already booked a pelagic trip off Simon's town.
Any help is welcome
Thanks
Thibaut

Cape Town - August

There are a mix of places and species that are in the immediate area of Cape Town and some that are local endemics or easier to see in Cape Town than elsewhere. With only two days it means that you need to focus of what is your priority.

Three possibilites -
Overberg area for cranes, Koorhans and larks
Tanqua Karoo - for dry area specials
Cape Town localities - Penguins, Cape Siskin, Victorin Warbler, Cape Rockjumper etc.

Have a look at Callam Cohens Birding Africa pages

http://www.birdingafrica.com/cape_tours/about_cape_tours.htm

Thank you for this answer !
my bad, i'll be there for 6 days actually.
Do you have a map for the Cape Town localities ?

I've also read about the following places to go to, what do you think about them:
- De Hoop
- Bontebok
- Kogelberg

ThibautBazatolle said:

Thank you for this answer !
my bad, i'll be there for 6 days actually.
Do you have a map for the Cape Town localities ?

I've also read about the following places to go to, what do you think about them:
- De Hoop
- Bontebok
- Kogelberg

Click to expand...

Buy this book, comes with an excellent, pull out map which shows all sites very clearly and is superb for planning routes. I personally rate this as being just about the best guide that there is for anywhere.

http://www.birdingafrica.com/resources/sa_birdfinder.htm

De Hoop is good for Cape Vulture and you may get Blue Crane in the area too.


A

andyadcock said:

Buy this book,

http://www.birdingafrica.com/resources/sa_birdfinder.htm

A

Click to expand...

Totally agree with Andy - this should be your bible for planning and going. The Southern Africa Bindfinder is now over 10 years old but still relevant.

When I did a similar trip and at the same time of year - Birding Africa suggested the following loop out of Cape Town.

Trip up the West Coast via Dolphin Bay, Silwersandstrom, Darling and Langebaan/West Coast National Park.

Middleberg pass to Tanqua Karoo via Katbakkies, Eierkop.

Forest birding at Grootvaderbosch near Heidleberg and then to De Hoop/Overberg.

Back to Cape Town via Sir Lowry's Pass

In that way you cover three Biomes - coastal, Cape and Karoo. Also in addition to the great birding the flowers along the west coast are spectacular.

I liked De Hoop and this is a good place for Knysa Woodpecker & Southern Tchagra in addition to the vultures. Dont expect Damara Tern here in August.

I didn't go to the other places you mentioned - not sure about them and they dont rate as highly in the "book".

Thank you very much for your answers. I just purchased the book and look forward to receiving it