McCormick Western Cape

Transcription

1 McCormick Western Cape 5 th to 10 th April 2016 (6 days) Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross by Gareth Robbins Trip Report and Photos by Tour Leader Gareth Robbins Today was the first day of the tour and we started it with a pelagic. As we made our way along the coastline we started to see Cape Gannets, African Penguins, Greater Crested Terns and Sooty Shearwaters. Once we had passed Cape Point we could see and feel that we were in for a bumpy ride. At this point we also started to see large numbers of Sooty and Cory s Shearwaters sitting on the water. Even though the ocean was growing rougher as the wind picked up we still managed to travel out as far as 15 nautical miles. We saw four species of

2 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April Albatross namely the Black-browed, Atlantic Yellow-nosed, Indian Yellow-nosed and Shy Albatrosses, Great Shearwater, Long-tailed Jaeger, Wilson s and European Storm Petrels, the Beautiful Arctic Tern, White-chinned Petrel, and a very inquisitive Brown Skua. We then turned around and headed back to Cape Point and had two sightings of Manx Shearwaters flying in amongst the large numbers of shearwaters. Some of the other wildlife that we saw in the ocean was a Bryde s Whale, Afro-Australian Fur Seal and some fantastic views of six Atlantic Blue Sharks. We lunched in a sheltered cove at Cape Point and then headed back to Simon s Town, stopping at a few roosts where we found Bank, Crowned, White-breasted and Cape Cormorants. Spotted Eagle-Owl by Gareth Robbins After the pelagic, we went for a drive along the coastline where we stopped at Die Kom and after a short walk, seing Cape Wagtail, Sacred and Hadada Ibis, Hartlaub s Gulls, Kelp Gulls, Little and Cattle Egret and some lovely views of African Oystercatchers. Back in Simon s Town we went for a walk next to Boulders Beach where we saw plenty of African Penguins as well as Karoo Prinia, Cape Bulbul, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Red-winged Starlings and a couple of Speckled Mousebirds sunning themselves. We also saw one Rock Hyrax sitting in the thicket with some penguins. We returned to the guest house and had a pleasant dinner to round off an excelled day. Today we decided to travel to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens which we knew would be sheltered from the strong wind. We made our way up to the fynbos section and by the time we had reached there we had already seen Cape White-eye, Sombre Greenbul, a pair of Cape Robin-Chats and a female Cape Batis. The fynbos section showed us a couple of male Orangebreasted Sunbirds and some Cape Spurfowls. A Spotted Eagle-Owl sitting in a tree was our next exciting find. We also saw African Dusky Flycatcher, Bar-throated Apalis and Forest Canaries. As we were leaving, three Helmeted Guineafowls accompanied us as we headed back to the exit. We travelled to Simon s Town via the famous Chapman s Peak Drive and had lunch at the Simon s Town Wharf. We next visited the Cape of Good Hope. Even though there was a howling gale we still managed to see a handful of good birds such as the Yellow Bishop, Karoo Prinia by Gareth Robbins Cape Bunting, Malachite Sunbird, Fiscal Flycatcher,

3 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April Bokmakierie Familiar Chat, Rock Martin, a Black-headed Heron eating a grass snake and a female Ostrich with five youngsters. We were also very fortunate to see twenty-eight Eland, three Cape Mountain Zebras and two Bontebok and one Angulated Tortoise. After a successful day we headed back to Simon s Town for dinner. Today we travelled around the Cape Peninsula, our first stop was in Rooiels where we hoped to see the Cape Rockjumper. The wind was still very strong but happily we saw a Cape Sugarbird and a few Orange-breasted Sunbirds before deciding to come back. We then visited Stony Point Penguin Colony where we saw many African Penguins and four species of cormorants namely the Cape, Bank, White-breasted and Crowned Cormorants. We were also very Bontebok by Gareth Robbins fortunate to witness the local penguin rescue foundation SANCCOB releasing a few cormorants and penguins back into the ocean. Back at Rooiels we at last managed to see four Cape Rockjumpers and two Grey-backed Cisticolas. We then headed to Harold Porter Botanical Garden for lunch. As we entered the botanical garden we were welcomed by a couple of Swee Waxbills and an Olive Thrush. After lunch we took a short stroll around the gardens where we saw Cape Sugarbird, Fiscal Flycatcher, African Dusky flycatcher, Southern Fiscal, Cape Robin-Chat and Southern Greyheaded Sparrows. After a successful day of birding we then drove to the Strandfontein Sewage Works and en route we saw Sandwich Tern, Greater-crested Terns and a Greyheaded Gull, Rock Kestrel and a Black-winged Kite. On arrival we were greeted by a large numbers of Greater Flamingos as well as Levaillant's Cisticola, Red-knobbed Coot, Glossy Ibis, Common Moorhen, Yellow-billed Duck and Cape Teals. As we made our way around the pans were saw Little and Blacknecked Grebes, Cape Shovelers, Maccoa Duck, Black-winged Stilt, Hottentot Teal, African Marsh Harrier, Pied Avocets, Spurwinged Geese, Great White Pelican and a Lesser Swamp Warbler. Cape Sugarbird by Gareth Robbins After a few windblown days we woke to a beautiful calm day. Following breakfast at our lodge we departed for Ceres. Our first stop along the way was at Paarl Rock Nature Reserve, famous for the huge igneous

4 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April batholith protruding from the mountain that surround the wine farming town. We visited the Wild Flower Reserve and en route we saw Ring-necked Dove, House Sparrow, Forktailed Drongo, Red-eyed Dove and a Jackal Buzzard. Once we arrived, a short walk through the gardens produced African Paradise Flycatcher, Malachite Sunbird, Brimstone Canary, Bar-throated Apalis, African Olive Pigeon, Brimstone Canary and a fleeting glimpse of a Brown-backed Honeybird. We then headed into Worcester and drove through the Huguenot Tunnel that makes its way through the Hottentot Hollands Mountains. Along the way we stopped for a better view of a Rock Kestrel sitting on the Cape Penduline Tit by Gareth Robbins telephone line. We stopped for lunch at a great little hotel and had some juicy hamburgers as well as seeing a Cape Batis and a pair of Olive Woodpeckers. After all the excitement we then drove to Ceres taking a few back roads through the local farms and managing to see Red-billed Teals and a few Karoo Scrub Robins. We headed up the Gydo Pass where, after a bit of patience and perseverance, we saw one Protea Seedeater. A lovely warm and windless day, was concluded at our guest house in Ceres. At first light we left Ceres and made our way to the Tankwa Karoo. Our first sighting of the morning was a great view of a Cape Penduline Tit and an African Stonechat. At the top of the Theronsberg Pass we saw a Large-billed Lark, Rock Kestrel and Pied Starlings while at Karoopoort we managed a quick look at a Namaqua Warbler in the Phragmites along the side of the road. As we made our way into the Tankwa Karoo we started to see a good variety of birds such as the Rufous-eared Warbler, Karoo Chat, Pririt Batis, Karoo Eremomela, Grey Tit, Chestnut-vented Warbler, Yellow Canary, Whitethroated Canary, Lark-like Bunting and a great view of a Pale-chanting Goshawk sitting on a telephone pole. This was pretty good birding since most of the time there was quite a bit dust created from the film crew vehicles for the latest Stephen King movie. After a brief stop at the only shop in the Tankwa Karoo we continued our drive, managing to see Tractrac Chat, Red-capped Pririt Batis by Gareth Robbins and Karoo Larks. After lunch we took a drive through the Katbakkies Pass, seeing a Mountain

5 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April Wheatear on the way. As we neared Ceres we stopped at a large dam where we saw African Darter, Southern Pochard and a Reed Cormorant. This was the last day of the tour and, after breakfast, we made our way to the West Coast National Park. We drove through the towns of Malmesbury and Darling where we saw a pair of Blue Cranes, Capped Wheatear, African Pipit and a fantastic sighting of a Black Harrier flying next to the road. Once we arrived in the West Coast National Park we visited the Geelbek Bird Hide where we saw Common-ringed Plover, Sanderling, Little Stint, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Grey Plovers and Curlew Sandpipers. We then headed towards the Seeberg lookout point and, as we made our way up the hill, we were very lucky to see a small family of Greywinged Francolins and a male Southern Black African Stonechat by Gareth Robbins Korhaan. On our way to the next hide we also saw a Long-billed Crombec. The next hide produced Whimbrel, Kittlitz s and White-fronted Plovers, Ruddy Turnstone and a Three-banded Plover. The inland hide showed us Black Crakes and African Spoonbills. After a very successful day we drove to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront where the tour concluded. Annotated List of Birds Total species recorded: 162 E = South African Endemic, RE = Regional Endemic to Southern Africa, RNE = Regional Near- Endemic, BE = Breeding Endemic NP = National Park, GR = Game Reserve, BG = Botanical Garden, SW = Sewage Works, NR = Nature Reserve Common Ostrich Struthionidae Common Ostrich Struthio camelus We saw a female ostrich with a few young in the Cape of Good Hope. We also saw plenty of male and female birds in the West Coast NP. Swans, Geese & Ducks Anatidae

6 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis These large birds were seen flying in Betty s Bay. Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca These common birds were seen on most days of the tour. South African Shelduck (RE) Tadorna cana We had some great sightings in the Strandfontein SW and on some farm dams near Prince Alfred s Hamlet. Cape Teal Anas capensis We saw many these birds at Strandfontein Sewage Works. Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata This duck was commonly recorded at various wetlands during the tour. Cape Shoveler (RE) Anas smithii We had good sightings at the Strandfontein SW and in a few farm dams near Ceres. Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha These birds were seen in a couple of farm dams outside Ceres. Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota These shy birds were seen hiding in the reed in the Strandfontein SW. Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma We saw a few of these birds in a dam near Prince Alfred s Hamlet. Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa We were able to see this duck at Fickland Pan and the Strandfontein Sewage Works. Guineafowl Numididae Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris This pretty but common bird was in Kirstenbosch BG, Paarl NR and en route to the Tankwa Karoo. Pheasants & Partridges Phasianidae Grey-winged Francolin Francolinus africanus We had a quick view of these birds in the West Coast NP. Cape Spurfowl (RE) Pternistis capensis We had regular sightings of these birds during the tour. Penguins Spheniscidae African Penguin (RE) Spheniscus demersus These popular birds were seen well at Stony Point and at Boulders Beach in Simon s Town. Austral Storm Petrels Hydrobatidae Wilson s Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus We had some good looks at this small bird on the pelagic. Albatrosses Diomedeidae Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris We saw a few of these individuals during the pelagic. Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta

7 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April These large magnificent birds were seen on many occasions during our pelagic. Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos We managed to see one of these stunning birds on the pelagic. Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri A good number of the beautiful birds were seen pelagic. Northern Storm Petrels Hydrobatidae European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus We had some excellent views of these small birds flying next to the boat on the pelagic trip. Petrels & Shearwaters Procellariidae White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis We had many sightings of this bird throughout the pelagic. Cory s Shearwater Calonectris borealis We saw large numbers of these birds on the pelagic. Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus These birds were also seen in great numbers on the pelagic. Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis This bird was seen only a few times during the pelagic. Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus We managed to see this bird near Cape Point on the pelagic. Grebes Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis We saw these little birds in the Strandfontein SW and in a couple of farm dams near Ceres. Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis We had a few good views of these small grebes at Strandfontein Sewage Works. Flamingos Phoenicopteridae Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus We saw these graceful birds in large numbers at the Strandfontein SW, West Coast NP and in a few dams near Ceres. Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor We were very lucky to see these pretty birds in the West Coast NP. Ibises & Spoonbills Threskiornithidae Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus This ibis was commonly encountered at wetlands bird during the tour. Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash We recorded this popular and noisy bird on most day of the tour. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus We had good sightings in the Strandfontein SW and on our way to the West Coast NP. African Spoonbill Platalea alba We had some good sightings in Kruger NP, Wakkerstroom and along the Sani Pass road.

8 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April Bitterns & Herons Ardeidae Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis We had regular sightings of these gregarious birds throughout the tour. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea They were recorded at wetlands on almost every day of tour. Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala This bird was seen catching a snake and eating swallowing it in the Cape of Good Hope NR. Little Egret Egretta garzetta We had regular sightings throughout the trip. Pelicans Pelecanidae Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus This huge bird was seen well in the Strandfontein SW and at as we passed Rietvlei Dam on the way to the Waterfront. Gannets Sulidae Cape Gannet (BE) Morus capensis We had many great looks at this bird during the pelagic. Cormorants & Shags Phalacrocoracidae Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus We eventually managed to see a few individuals at a dam near Ceres. Crowned Cormorant (RE) Phalacrocorax coronatus We had a great sighting of a few individuals in Simon s Town and at Stony Point Penguin Colony. Bank Cormorant (RE) Phalacrocorax neglectus We had great sightings at Stony Point and a couple were seen briefly on the pelagic. White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus This large cormorant was seen well on the pelagic, Stony Point and the West Coast NP. Cape Cormorant (BE) Leucocarbo capensis We saw many of these birds along the Cape coastline. Anhingas & Darters Anhingidae African Darter Anhinga rufa This snake like bird was eventually seen at a dam near Ceres. Kites, Hawks & Eagles Accipitridae Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus This striking raptor was seen on a few occasions from the roadside. Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierax canorus We had some good views of this elegant bird in the Tankwa Karoo. African Marsh Harrier Circus ranivorus We had a great sighting of this bird in the Strandfontein SW. Black Harrier Circus maurus

9 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April We had a fantastic look at this bird flying next to the road near Riebeek Kasteel. Common Buzzard Buteo buteo We saw this bird near the Gydo Pass and Darling. Jackal Buzzard (RE) Buteo rufofuscus We had excellent views of this bird at Paarl NR and near Darling. Bustards Otididae Southern Black Korhaan (E) Afrotis afra We were lucky to see one ear the road abelow Seeberg lookout in the West Coast NP. Rails, Crakes & Coots Rallidae Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra We saw this pretty bird at the Abrahamskraal bird hide in the West Coast NP Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus These birds were seen well in the West Coast NP. Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata This bird was common at many dams in during the tour. Cranes Gruidae Blue Crane (RE) Grus paradisea We had a great look at a pair on a farm just outside of Darling. Oystercatchers Haematopididae African Oystercatcher (E) Haematopus moquini We saw this striking bird well at the Cape of Good Hope and the in Simon s Town. Stilts & Avocets Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus We had a great looks at these birds in the Strandfontein SW. Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta This elegant wader showed well at Strandfontein SW and the West Coast NP. Plovers & Lapwings Charadriidae Blacksmith Lapwing Vanellus armatus We had regular sightings of this lapwing throughout the tour. Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola We saw a few individuals in their breeding plumage in the West Coast NP. Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula We managed to see a couple of these birds in the West Coast NP. Kittlitz s Plover Charadrius pecuarius This plover was seen up close from the Seeberg bird hide. Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris This pretty plover was seen just outside the Seeberg bird hide. White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus

10 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April We saw a couple of these birds in the West Coast NP. Sandpipers & Allies Scolopacidae Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus We managed to see this bird in the West Coast NP. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Only one individual was seen in the West Coast NP. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres We managed get a long distant look at this bird through the spotting scope in the West Coast NP. Sanderling Calidris alba We had some good looks at these birds from the Geelbek bird hide in the West Coast NP. Little Stint Calidris minuta A couple of these birds were seen from the Geelbek hide in the West Coast NP. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea We had fantastic looks at these birds in their breeding plumage in the West Coast NP. Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Laridae Grey-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus We saw this bird well at the beach at Rooiels. Hartlaub s Gull (RE) Chroicocephalus hartlaubii These gulls were plentiful along the Western Cape coastline. Kelp Gull (NE) Larus dominicanus Large numbers were seen around the Cape Peninsula. Caspian Tern Sterna caspia We had a great view of one bird in the West Coast NP. Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii We saw many of these birds along the Cape s coastline. Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis We saw a few individuals at the Rooiels beach and in the West Coast NP. Arctic Tern Sterna paradise We had some good views of this pretty tern on the pelagic. Skuas Stercorariidae Brown Skua Stercorarius antarcticus We had some great close views on the pelagic. Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus We had an excellent look at this bird as it flew over the boat on the pelagic. Pigeons & Doves Columbidae Rock Dove Columba livia This bird was commonly seen in populated areas during the tour. Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea This handsome pigeon was seen at the Glencairn shopping centre. African Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix

11 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April We saw these lovely pigeons fly over us in the Paarl Wildflower Reserve. Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata This large dove was seen in the Paarl NR. Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola These vocal dove was see in the road in the Paarl NR. Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis This smaller dove seen the gardens of the Village Guest House in Ceres. Typical Owls Strigidae Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus One individual was seen roosting in a tree above the Cycad garden in Kirstenbosch BG. Swifts Apodidae Little Swift Apus affinis We managed to see two birds flying passed the car in the West Coast NP. Mousebirds Coliidae Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus This mouse like bird was commonly seen in the Cape Peninsula. White-backed Mousebird (RNE) Colius colius We had some great sightings in the Tankwa Karoo and the West Coast NP. Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus We saw a small flock of these birds fly across the road in Strandfontein. Barbets Ramphastidae Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas We were very fortunate to hear one bird calling and then managed to see it sitting on top of a large acacia tree. Honeyguides Indicatoridae Brown-backed Honeybird Prodotiscus regulus We managed to see one individual fly right over us in the Paarl Wildflower Reserve. Woodpeckers & Allies Picidae Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus Probably one of our most unusual sighting of the trip. During lunch at a restaurant just outside Ceres we heard the birds call and managed to find a pair in a large tree in the back of the garden. These birds are not very common in this part of South Africa. Falcons & Caracaras Falconidae Rock Kestrel Falco rupicolus We saw this small lovely bird of prey a couple of times along the roadside during the tour.

12 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April Wattle-eyes and Batises Platysteiridae Cape Batis (RE) Batis capensis We had great views of this pretty little bird in Kirstenbosch BG and at a small restaurant just outside Ceres. Pririt Batis Batis Pririt We had fantastic views of a male batis sitting and calling in a Sweet Thorn. Bushshrikes & Allies Malaconotidae Bokmakierie (RNE) Telophorus zeylonus This pretty species was seen at Olifantsbos in the Cape of Good Hope. Shrikes Laniidae Southern Fiscal Lanius collaris We saw this bird at Harold Porter BG and in the Tankwa Karoo. Drongos Dicruridae Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis We managed to see this bird in the Paarl Nature Reserve. Monarch Flycatchers Monarchidae African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis We saw this spectacular bird in the Paarl Wildflower Reserve. Crows & Jays Corvidae Cape Crow Corvus capensis We saw this crow in the farmlands near Malmesbury and Darling. Pied Crow Corvus albus This crow was commonly seen during the tour. White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis These large birds were seen frequently on the tour. Rockjumpers Chaetopidae Cape Rockjumper (E) Chaetops frenatus After two attempts we eventually managed to see four individuals at Rooiels. Tits Paridae Grey Tit We had a fantastic sighting in the Tankwa Karoo. Melaniparus afer Cape Penduline Tit Penduline Tits Remizidae Anthoscopus minutus

13 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April We managed to see this tiny bird on the Theronsberg Pass on our way to the Tankwa Karoo. Larks Alaudidae Spike-heeled Lark (RNE) Chersomanes albofasciata We had good views of these short tailed birds in the Tankwa Karoo. Karoo Lark (E) Certhilauda albescens Two of these birds were seen close to the road in the Tankwa Karoo. Large-billed Lark (E) Galerida magnirostris We had a couple of good sightings of this bird in the Tankwa Karoo. Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea This pretty lark was seen in the Tankwa Karoo and near Malmesbury. Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Cape Bulbul (E) Pycnonotus capensis This bulbul was seen on most days in the Western Cape. Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus We saw this bird well in Kirstenbosch BG and Harold Porter BG. Swallows & Martins Hirundinidae Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola These small martins were seen in the Strandfontein SW. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica This Swallow was seen on many occasions throughout the tour. Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula This brown martin was seen on a few occasions during the tour. Crombecs & African Warblers Macrosphenidae Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens We had a lovely view of this bird in the West Coast NP. Reed Warblers & Allies Acrocephalidae Lesser Swamp Warbler We had a good sighting in the Strandfontein SW. Acrocephalus gracilirostris Cisticolas & Allies Cisticolidae Grey-backed Cisticola (RNE) Cisticola subruficapilla This cisticola was seen very well in Rooiels. Levaillant s Cisticola Cisticola tinniens We had a great view of one bird sitting on a fence in the Strandfontein SW. Karoo Prinia (RE) Prinia maculosa These lovely little birds were abundant in the Western Cape. Namaqua Warbler Phragmacia substriata

14 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April We only managed to get one quick sighting of this bird in the Tankwa Karoo. Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thoracica This pretty bird was seen well in Kirstenbosch BG and the Paarl Wildflower Reserve. Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis We had many great views of this neat little bird in the Tankwa Karoo. Karoo Eremomela (RE) Eremomela gregalis We were very lucky to see two birds moving through a few succulents in the Tankwa Karoo. Sylviid Babblers Sylviidae Chestnut-vented Warbler (RNE) Sylvia subcaerulea We had some good views of this vocal bird in the Tankwa Karoo. White-eyes Zosteropidae Cape White-eye (RE) Zosterops capensis These little birds were seen on a couple of occasions during the tour. Sugarbirds & Allies Promeropidae Cape Sugarbird (E) Promerops cafer This great Fynbos endemic was seen well in Rooiels, Harold Porter BG and in the Paarl NR. Starlings Sturnidae Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris We saw a large flock of these birds near Kommetjie after the pelagic. Pied Starling (E) lamprotornis bicolor We saw these starling just outside Ceres and Malmesbury during the tour. Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio This starling was frequently encountered during the tour. Thrushes Turdidae Olive Thrush (RE) Turdus olivaceus This thrush was seen well in Betty s Bay and Paarl. Chats & Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae Karoo Scrub Robin (E) Cercotrichas coryphaeus We had good sightings near Ceres and in the Tankwa Karoo. Fiscal Flycatcher (RE) Sigelus silens We managed to see this flycatcher a couple of times in the Western Cape. African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta This sweet flycatcher was seen at Kirstenbosch BG and Harold Porter BG. Cape Robin-Chat Cossypha caffra We had regular sightings of this bird especially in the Western Cape. African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus We saw this bird on the Theronsberg Pass and near Darling. Karoo Chat (RNE) Cercomela schlegelii

15 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April We saw many of these birds in the Tankwa Karoo. Tractrac Chat (RNE) Cercomela tractrac We had a few sightings in the Tankwa Karoo. Mountain Wheatear (RNE) Oenanthe monticola This bird was seen up close in the Tankwa Karoo. Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata We saw this bird well just outside Darling. Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris This chat was seen well in the Cape of Good Hope and in Betty s Bay. Sunbirds & Spiderhunters Nectariniidae Orange-breasted Sunbird (E) Anthobaphes violacea We had great views in Kirstenbosch BG and Rooiels. Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa We saw this stunning bird in the Cape of Good Hope and Paarl NR. Southern Double-collared Sunbird (E) Cinnyris chalybeus We saw this vocal sunbird on most days in the Western Cape. Old World Sparrows Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus This species was seen in Paarl NR. Cape Sparrow (RNE) Passer melanurus We got some lovely views of this sparrow in Betty s Bay, Tankwa Karoo and en route to the West Coast NP. Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus This species was seen well in the Harold Porter BG. Weavers & Allies Ploceidae Cape Weaver (E) Ploceus capensis We had regular sightings of these birds in the Western Cape. Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis This pretty bird was seen on a number of occasions in the Western Cape. Waxbills & Allies Estrildidae Swee Waxbill (E) Estrilda melanotis We were welcomed by these birds as soon as we entered the Harold Porter BG. Cape Wagtail This bird was seen regularly during the tour. African Pipit We saw this bird in the road near Malmesbury. Wagtails & Pipits Motacillidae Motacilla capensis Anthus cinnamomeus Finches & Allies Fringillidae

16 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April Forest Canary (E) Crithagra scotops These lovely little birds were seen in Kirstenbosch BG. Yellow Canary (RNE) Crithagra flaviventris Were present in the Tankwa Karoo and en route the West Coast NP. Brimstone Canary Crithagra sulphurata We managed to see this large billed canary in the Paarl Wildflower Reserve. White-throated Canary (RNE) Crithagra albogularis We found this near-endemic in the Tankwa Karoo. Protea Canary (E) Crithagra leucoptera We had excellent views of this endemic along the Gydo Pass near Ceres. Cape Canary Serinus canicollis This canary was seen on regular occasions during the tour. Buntings Emberizidae Lark-like Bunting Emberzia impetuani We managed to see this bird up on a rocky hill in the Tankwa Karoo. Cape Bunting (RNE) Emberiza capensis This was abundant throughout the tour. Golden-breasted Bunting Emberiza flaviventris This pretty bunting was seen well in Kruger NP and Mkuze GR. Annotated List of Mammal Species Nomenclature and taxonomy follows The Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa by Chris & Tilde Stuart (2007). Total species recorded: 7 Hyraxes Procavidae Rock Hyrax (Dassie) Procavia capensis These animals were in Simon s Town and Stony Point Penguin Colony. Baboons & Monkeys Cercopithecidae Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus We saw these comical animal on mountain passes throughout the Western Cape. Fur Seals Otariidae Afro-Australian Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus We saw these animals in good numbers along the Western Cape coastline. Zebra, Horses, Asses Equidae

17 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April Mountain Zebra We saw three animals in the Cape of Good Hope. Equus Zebra Rorquals Balaenopteridae Bryde s Whale Baleanoptera edeni We only had a brief sighting of this large shy mammal. Cattle, Antelopes, Sheep, Goats Bovidae Grey Rhebok (E) Pelea capreolus We saw a few of these antelopes near Ceres. Common Eland Tragelaphus oryx We saw good numbers in the Cape of Good Hope and the West Coast NP. Bontebok Damaliscus pygargus We were very fortunate to see these lovely animals in the Cape of Good Hope. Annotated List of Reptiles Total species recorded: 3 Tortoises Testudinidae Angulated Tortoise Chersina angulata We had some good views of these tortoises in the Cape of Good Hope and Harold Porter BG. Agamas Agamidae Southern Rock Agama Agama atra We saw these lizards sunning itself on a large boulder on the Katbakkies Pass. Skinks Scincidae African Striped Skink Trachylepis striata We had a nice close view of these skinks sunning themselves in a small bush in the West Coast NP. Annotated List of Sea Fishes Total species recorded: 1 Requiem Sharks Carcharhinidae Blue Shark Prionace glauca We managed to see approximately six different individuals during the pelagic. Annotated list of Butterflies

18 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April Total Species Recoded: 5 Widows Nymphalidae Cape Autumn Widow Dira clytus These dark brown butterflies were seen through the tour. African Monarch Danaus chrysippus aegyptius We had lovely view of this butterfly in Kirstenbosch BG. Acraea Heliconinae Garden Acraea Acraea horta We saw this lovely butterfly in the Kirstenbosch BG. Dotted Borders Pieridae Common Dotted Border Mylothris agathina agathina There were numerous sightings of these pretty butterflies throughout the tour. Swallowtails Papilionidae Citrus Swallowtail Papilio demodocus demodocus This lovely large butterfly was seen in Harold Porter BG. Annotated list of Arachnids Total Species Recorded: 1 Rain Spiders Sparassidae Common Rain Spider Palystes superciliosus We were very lucky to see a female rain spider on her nest in the Paarl Wildflower Reserve. Rockjumper Birding Ltd c/o Summit Trust Mauritius Limited Labourdonnais Village Mapou Mauritius Tel (USA & Canada) toll free: info@rockjumperbirding.com Alternative rockjumperbirding@yahoo.com Website:

19 RBT Trip Report - McCormick - Western Cape April