Thursday 30^th June 2011

We left Simonstown at 3pm and on route to the Cape Point Nature Reserve gate had good sightings Kelp Gull, African Black Oystercatcher, Red-winged Starling, White-necked Raven, Egyptian Geese and long skeins of Cape Cormorants.

In the Nature Reserve our first sighting was a Familiar Chat, followed by a Jackal Buzzard, Pied Crow, Ostrich and Cattle Egret. As we neared Oilphantsbos bay we were treated to Bontebok close to the road, Grey Rhebuck and Eland.

In the bay and on the beach large numbers of Hartlaub’s Gull, Swift Tern and Cape Wagtail. On the southern edge of the car park a very accommodating Cape Grassbird. Feeding on a large stand of aloe were Malachite Sunbird and Southern Double Collared Sunbird. Cape Robin-chat calling from the top of a bush and fantastic sightings of a Southern Boubou. A little further up the road a Tortoise, a pair of Bokmakierie and Common Fiscal. On the drive back to the gate, great sightings of Karoo Prinia and Red Hartebeest.

In the 90 minutes spent birding a total of 6 Endemics, 2 Breeding Endemics and 1 Near Endemic. A great birding outing.

These and many more birds endemic to the Western Cape can be seen on the Aves Western Cape Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Day, Overnight or the scheduled seven day Aves Western Cape Birding Tour/Safari/ Adventure or the Aves West Coast Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure. Visit our website – www. avesbirdingtours.com

Endemics – Red

Near Endemics – Blue

Breeding Endemics - Orange