Cape Birdwatcher's Guide to birdwatching destinations.

Cape Birdwatcher's Guide.
		Antarctic Terns. The Kom is one of the view land sites from which Antarctic terns can be seen.





			Cape Tourism Tour.
			Cape Tourism Tour.







Picture (c) David Attenborough Productions Ltd, 1998. The Life of Birds. BBC
Some of the many Bird Route Destinations near the Beach House:
World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary, Hout Bay
Visit the largest bird park In Africa where over 3000 birds with 450 species can be viewed at very close quarters. Many of the aviaries and enclosures are walk-through, allowing a special closeness with the exhibits -a real treat for nature lovers and photographers.
Hout Bay Harbour, Houtbay
Good viewing of seabirds including Hartlaub's Gull. Boat trips available for seabird watching expeditions to seal island.
Imhoff's Farm. World of Birds Nature Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Kommetjie.
	Viewing of giant flightless birds, including the ostrich and emus, and blue cranes and crowned cranes. Wildlife include buck such as eland. There is also a tea garden, restaurant and gift shop. Camel Rides are available on the farm.
	Wildevoelvlei
	A wetland area with tidal lagoon at Wireless/long beach, Wildevoelvlei is fed by waste water treatment works. There are 30 species including wetland dwelling birds such as purple gallinules, ducks, herons, and flamingoes.
The "Kom" (Basin), Kommetjie.
Sea watching is most productive when a northwest wind is blowing. The northwest wind blows frequently in winter. This wind has on onshore component. Cape Gannets, White chinned Petrel and Sooty Shearwater are the most frequently seen species; giant petrels, albatrosses and skews also occur more regularly when the wind picks up to near gale force. A good spot from which to do sea watching is the nearby lighthouse. The Kom is an important roost for terns. When conditions are good, it is one of the best sites on land from which to see seabirds. In summer, the Kom is utilized by palearctic migrant terns, mainly Common Terns and Sandwich Terns.
	In winter, it is one of the few places on the mainland where Antarctic Terns can fairly reliably be seen. Swift Terns join the roost here throughout the year.
	The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Cape Point.
	With its diverse habitats, ranging from rocky mountain tops to beaches and open sea, Cape Point is home to at least 250 species of birds. The reserve comprise mainly mountain fynbos and coastal habitats, with excellent birding including fynbos endemics, raptors, water birds and ostriches. The cliffs at Cape Point provide good offshore birding especially after a strong winter gale. The numerous drives, walking routes, funicular to the lighthouse and lookout points against the back drop of fynbos and two oceans makes for exciting outings.
	Boulders Beach Penguin Colony.
Simon’s Town is one of the total of 28 world sites where African (Jackass) Penguins (Sphensicus demersus) occur. The colony, started by the penguins themselves at Boulders Beach, is unique in that they have voluntarily inhabited suburbia and a public bathing space. Despite a traumatic history of dog and cat attacks, egg poaching and vicious landowners, they have increased from a few individuals to a colony of over 1000 penguins.
Silvermine River Trail, Clovelly, Fish Hoek.
150 bird species recorded with 22 mammals. Just down the road from the Beach House.		Cape Tourism Tour.
Silvermine Nature Reserve, Ou Kaapse Weg, Tokai.		Cape Tourism Tour.
.	A core area of the area of the Cape Peninsula National Park. The habitat is mountain fynbos, and 95 bird species including fynbos endemic, raptors and francolins can be seen. Hiking trails, as well as shady picnic sites with wheelchair access, are available
.	Tokai Forest, Tokai.
Arboretum, pine and gum plantations with mountain fynbos on the slopes. Good birding site (80 species), especially for raptors such as forest and jackal buzzards and booted eagles. Maps available from the information centre for self-guided walks, and there is a hiking trail up to Elephant's Eye Cave.
Rondevlei Nature Reserve, Grassy Park.
A large fluctuating wetland system with the only herd of hippopotami in the Western Cape. Coastal strandveld habitat with excellent birding - 225 species - including white pelican, African spoonbill, African fish eagle, purple gallinule, and black-crowned night heron. A waterside trail (1 km) has been laid out, with five bird hides and three observation towers. The Leonard Gill Field Museum has a good collection of bird taxidermy specimens, while the Douglas Murray Resource Centre is available for school groups. Accessible to wheelchairs.
Table Mountain, Cape Town.
Access the top of Table Mountain via the Cable Car or along one of the many hiking trails. The unmatched floral diversity provides a home for many fynbos bird species. Raptors may also be seen from the top of the mountain.
V & A Waterfront, Cape Town.
Several seabirds can be identified, including Hartlaub's gull, which is found only along the southwestern and western coast of South Africa. A variety of boats and yachts offers taxi and cruise facilities with excellent bird and nature viewing form the sea.
Robben Island, off the Coast of Cape Town.
The ferry crossing provides an opportunity to view seabirds, including African Jackass penguins. On the island itself, 79 species have been recorded. Bus tours provide viewing of crowned and bank cormorants, African black oystercatchers, ostriches and chukar partridge. Information boards provide details on the African penguin and African black oystercatcher. A limited number of places on the Penguin Tours and Birdwatching Tours are available every day.
		Cape Tourism Tour.

Information adapted from "The Bird Route" Brochure. Cape Metropolitan Tourism. http://www.gocapetown.co.za





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Cape Birdwatcher's Guide.