Birding the Overberg & Agulhas Plain

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1 World Seabird Conference Birding the Overberg & Agulhas Plain 31 st October to 2 nd November 2015 (3 days) Blue Crane by Adam Riley De Hoop Nature Reserve is approximately ha in size and lies on the Agulhas plains near the Southern most tip of Africa. This beautiful part of the Southern Cape has some fantastic birding opportunities including several tricky endemics. Furthermore the reserve itself plays host to some of South Africa s rarer large mammals with good game viewing opportunities. This three day tour is tailored to finding a number of these endemic birds and mammals.

2 Itinerary - WSC Birding the Overberg & Agulhas Plain THE TOUR AT A GLANCE DETAILS Tour Dates Tour Price Tour Size 31 st October to 2 nd November 2015 (3 days) ZAR 10, per person sharing (approx. US$ per person sharing at current exchange rates); The tour price is fixed in ZAR, while other rates subject to exchange rate fluctuations (see financial arrangements below) Limited to 6 participants with 1 Rockjumper leader THE ITINERARY 31 st October Cape Town to De Hoop NR via Rooiels 1 st November De Hoop NR and surrounds 2 nd November De Hoop to Cape Town and depart THE TOUR IN DETAIL Day 1, 31 st October: Cape Town to De Hoop NR via Rooiels. Making our way early to the rugged Hottentots-Holland Mountains, we will search for one of South Africa s finest endemics: the handsome Cape Rockjumper. Though strikingly plumaged and conspicuous by their vocalisations, these charismatic birds possess an incredible ability to disappear amongst the boulders and we may have to be patient if we wish to enjoy long sightings of these elusive creatures. The thick mountain fynbos is the favoured habitat of Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Siskin and the beautiful, endemic Victorin s Warbler, while other species including Verreaux s Eagle, Greybacked Cisticola and Ground Woodpecker are also found in the Cape Rockjumper by Adam Riley area. Chacma Baboon is fairly common here, but we will have to scan the rocky ridges carefully for the agile Klipspringer. After enjoying this spectacle we travel to De Hoop Nature Reserve. Our drive towards the wheat lands of the Overberg region takes us on a very scenic coastal route where we can enjoy breath-taking views of False Bay and the Indian Ocean. This area is home to a number of stunning birds, none more so than South Africa s national bird, the Blue Crane, which is occasionally seen here in very large flocks. Other exciting and noteworthy species we will keep an eye out for along the way include Agulhas Long-billed Lark, Southern Black Korhaan and Denham s Bustard. Day 2, 1 st November: De Hoop NR and surrounds. We have a full day to explore De Hoop Nature Reserve and the surrounding farmlands. We begin with a search for Cape Clapper Lark and Southern Tchagra early in the morning. With some luck we will see Cape Vulture soaring by on

3 Itinerary - WSC Birding the Overberg & Agulhas Plain their way to the nearby breeding colony. The endemic Cape Mountain Zebra is refreshingly common here and we may also encounter the shy Cape Grysbok. The coastal plains host Grey-winged Francolin, Large-billed Lark, Bokmakierie, Karoo Prinia, Orangebreasted Sunbird and Yellow Canary amongst others. Here we will have further chances to find species such as Agulhas Long-billed Lark and Southern Black Korhaan. A nearby patch of woodland houses the most sought-after woodpecker in the country, Knysna Woodpecker. This rather secretive endemic can be very Knysna Woodpecker by Steve Davis difficult to find - patience and a little luck will be needed to track it down. Further bonuses are the possibility for three honeyguide species, namely Greater and Lesser and Brown-backed Honeybird, as well as a chance for Hottentot Buttonquail. This reserve also provides us with the good chance of finding Horus Swift, a highly localised species in the Western Cape. Other birds that we will be looking for throughout the day include Common Ostrich, Black Harrier, Capped Wheatear and Secretarybird. The large De Hoop vlei plays host to varying numbers and diversity of waterbirds including Cape Teal, Cape Shoveler, Southern Pochard, South African Shelduck, African Fish-Eagle, Black-necked Grebe and good numbers of Great Crested Grebe at times. In the afternoon we will visit a nearby reserve in search of Damara Tern. This species breeds in the area, mostly November to March, and small numbers should be present in the areas near to the estuary. Other birds that we could encounter at the estuary include Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Denham s Bustard by Hugh Chittenden Curlew, African Oystercatcher and Caspian Tern which also breeds here. In the coastal thicket areas we will keep an eye out for Fiscal Flycatcher and Acacia Pied Barbet. Day 3, 2 nd November: De Hoop to Cape Town and depart. This morning we will spend some time birding the farmlands surrounding De Hoop looking for species such as Cape Spurfowl, African Pipit and Cape Longclaw. It will also provide us with further opportunity to find Denham s Bustard if we missed it on the drive into De Hoop on the first day. Our other main target will be Agulhas Clapper Lark, which occurs in low shrub vegetation. Thereafter we will make our way back to Cape Town International Airport where the tour will conclude by mid-afternoon.

4 Itinerary - WSC Birding the Overberg & Agulhas Plain GROUP SIZE This is limited to 6 participants with a Rockjumper tour leader FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS The price for this WSC Birding the Overberg & Agulhas Plain trip is ZAR 10, per person sharing (approx. US$ per person sharing at current exchange rates) Single supplement cost is ZAR 1, (approx. US$ ) and will be charged if you wish to have single accommodations. Please note: The price above is fixed in the currency printed in BOLD (ZAR South African Rand). Any other currencies listed will be converted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing. The price above INCLUDES: All meals from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 3; All accommodations on a sharing basis (subject to availability); Ground transportation in a VW Kombi T5 or similar & related fuel costs; All reserve entrance fees and conservation fees as required by the itinerary; Gratuities for hotel/lodge staff and Guiding services and costs of a Rockjumper leader. The price above EXCLUDES: Accommodation on the evening of the 30 th of October; Breakfast on the 31 st of October; ANY international or domestic flights (and associated taxes); Visa fees of any kind; Any beverages/additional drinks or bottled drinking water (water is potable in South Africa); Trip Insurance of any kind; Special gratuities and Telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature. IMPORTANT NOTES: a) Due to constantly fluctuating exchange rates, we now quote our tours in the currency pertaining to the destination in question. The tour price is however fixed only in the currency printed in bold (ZAR South Africa Rand), and the actual cost in the other currencies listed will be adjusted according to prevailing exchange rates at the time of final invoicing (usually 4 months before the tour). b) Rates are based upon group tariffs; if the tour does not have sufficient registration, a small party supplement will have to be charged. c) Furthermore, these costs are subject to unforeseen increases in tour related costs and may have to be adjusted as a result. d) Lastly, we may be forced to change or alter the itinerary and / or leader at short or no notice due to unforeseen circumstances; please be aware that we will attempt to adhere as close to the original program as possible. Special Notes: Much of our time is spent in vehicles, as we do have to cover long distances in order to get to the best areas for birds and animals. The more luggage you pack the less room there is in

5 Itinerary - WSC Birding the Overberg & Agulhas Plain the vehicle, so it is important for the comfort of yourself and your fellow travellers that you do not over-pack. Kindly stick to 20kg (44lb) for check in luggage and 8kg (+-18lb) for hand luggage. Crime is problematic in certain areas of South Africa. Exercise caution as you would for any big city where crime exists. Do not unnecessarily flaunt cash and valuables and do not leave valuables exposed in the vehicle. ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DETAILS: This tour does not include ANY airfares. The tour will depart from Cape Town at 6:00am on day 1. Further meeting details in this regard will be forwarded to you in due course. The tour will conclude at mid-afternoon (approx. 15h00) at Cape Town International Airport on day 3. If you wish to arrive early and/or depart late and would like assistance in this regard, kindly contact the Rockjumper office. FLIGHTS: Johannesburg is the main port of entry for international flights in South Africa and is well serviced by all of the world s major airlines. We have the capacity to advise you on the best route according to your preferences, but your local travel agent will best be able to book these flights for you. However, please DO NOT book your international flights until you have consulted the Rockjumper office for confirmation on the status of the tour. Rockjumper Birding Tours Worldwide Birding Adventures PO Box 13972, Cascades, 3202, South Africa Registration number 2001/059480/23 Tel: Fax: Tel (USA & Canada toll-free): private@rockjumperbirding.com Alternative rockjumperbirding@yahoo.com Website: