by Avian Leisure | Dec 2, 2013 | NEWS
One of the key birds in the West Coast ‘suite’ of target sightings is the acrobatic and warbler-like Cape Penduline Tit, usually found in family groups foraging energetically in tangles of low scrub while maintaining constant vocal contact with one another. Such was...
by Avian Leisure | Nov 18, 2013 | NEWS
Variously described in the literature, ‘as a shy and secretive denizen of dense tangles of forest growth and thick impenetrable bracken and bramble patches along meandering streams’, this diminutive non-descript dull coloured warbler is one of SA’s most sought...
by Avian Leisure | Nov 7, 2013 | NEWS
Local birders seem surprised when mention is made of ‘larks’ occurring on the Cape Peninsula. This is indeed a valid reaction as most of our south-western Cape lark species occur either up the West Coast or in the Tanqua Karoo lying within the rain shadow of the...
by Avian Leisure | Nov 2, 2013 | TRIP REPORTS
A detailed trip itinerary was specifically tailored in response to a target-related species list for a group of four highly enthusiastic Norwegian birders comprising of Rune Botnermyr, Arild Hansen, Birger Olsen and Rune Wiggen. 278 sightings were recorded, with...
by Avian Leisure | Oct 4, 2013 | TRIP REPORTS
I was very happy with my recent relaxed 10 day birding trip with 2 clients in the South Western Cape where we saw 228 bird species, excluding pelagic birds as that trip was cancelled due to poor weather and rough seas at the time, along with 20 mammal and reptile...
by Avian Leisure | Sep 30, 2013 | NEWS, TRIP REPORTS
Early winter birding in the dry and dusty Tanqua Karoo ahead of spring rains presents itself as a unique challenge for the enthusiastic birder. Bird activity is subdued at best and less than vocal making it difficult to locate the resident species within the matrix...
by Avian Leisure | Sep 30, 2013 | NEWS
Of the 7 species of sunbird regularly recorded for the South Western Cape the dullest in plumage but by far the most vocal is the forest dwelling Grey Sunbird of the indigenous forests along the Garden Route. This represents the western-most extremity of its...
by Avian Leisure | Sep 15, 2013 | NEWS, TRIP REPORTS
Just back from a fabulous tour to see the Spring flowers and birds on the West Coast & inland to Nieuwoudville. After picking up our group, we left Cape Town and headed straight for the West Coast Park. By the time we got there at around 11 AM the fields of...
by Avian Leisure | Apr 17, 2013 | NEWS
The birding year got off to very good start for a number of local birders who managed to ‘tick’ this uncommon visitor that came ashore to moult on the west side of the Cape Peninsula at the end of January. Confiding and apparently not in the least fazed by all the...
by Avian Leisure | Mar 28, 2013 | NEWS
Two years ago I was introduced to the recently released Photoscope 85 T8 FL as I wandered around the photographic marquee at the British Bird Fair where a great many optic offerings within the full spectrum of binoculars and cameras available from the worlds’ leading...
