Birding Hottentots Holland

Cape Rockjumper  Bank Cormorant  Crowned Cormorant  Ground Woodpecker  Cape Rock Thrush  Victorin’s Warbler  Cape Siskin  Cape Sugarbird  Orange-breasted Sunbird

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Cape Rockjumper Tour
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East of False Bay, the contours of the Hottentots Holland plunge precipitously into the sea, creating a spectacular stretch of coastline where mountain fynbos and marine specials can be seen virtually alongside each other.

Our first port of call is the seaside village of Rooi Els, perched between high mountains and rocky shore. Along the rocky, lower mountain slopes we’ll search for the striking Cape Rockjumper, Ground Woodpecker, Familiar Chat, Cape Bunting and Cape Sentinel (rare) Rock Thrushes. Overhead, we may spot Verreaux’s Eagle, Peregrine, Rock Kestrel or Jackal Buzzard. Surrounding fynbos vegetation is excellent for Orange-breasted Sunbird and Cape Sugarbird, and with some luck we may see Cape Siskin.

From here we continue along the coast to the village of Betty’s Bay and nearby Stoney Point, site of one of only two mainland colonies of African Penguin. Here too, we have the opportunity to compare all four species of marine cormorants. Bank Cormorant breed here, alongside the more common Crowned, Cape and White-breasted Cormorants.

Next, we visit the picturesque Harold Porter Botanical Gardens. The cultivated gardens are surrounded by moist mountain fynbos dissected by two forested ravines. Common birds of the lower gardens are Black Saw-wing Swallow (in summer), Cape Bulbul, Karoo Prinia, Southern Boubou, Malachite, Orange-breasted and Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, Yellow Bishop, Bully Canary and conveniently accessible Cape Siskin. There are usually swifts and swallows foraging overhead (including Rock Martin and African Black and Alpine Swifts), alongside soaring raptors (most commonly Black Eagle and Jackal Buzzard). Forested gorges provide Bar-throated Apalis, Cape Batis, Paradise (summer) and Dusky Flycatchers, and occasionally Swee Waxbill and Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher.

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