This systematic list follows the sequence, taxonomy and nomeclature of the 'Birds of Southern Africa' by Sinclair, Hockey and Tarboton (third edition, 2002), referred to as the Sasol guide published by Struik. For some species the more commonly used vernacular names are given in parenthis.
Abbreviations : NR = Nature Reserve, NP = National Park.
Common Ostrich Struthio camelus
Fairly common, with the largest numbers seen at West Coast NP. Many seen in the agricultural areas were either probably either feral or belonged to ostrich farms, with the most likely genuinely wild candidates being those seen in Namaqualand on 23/1 and 24/1.
African Penguin (Jackass Penguin) Spheniscus demerus
500+ at Boulders Beach, Simon's Town on 17/1 and 200+ there seen from aboard the Zest II on 18/1. Several were seen offshore from the verandah of our accommodation at Windy Ridge, Simon's Town on 17/1 and 5 off Yserfontein harbour on 22/1.
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
4 at Zandvlei on 17/1, 20 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1, and 2 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis
15 at Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1.
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
50 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 2 at Milnerton on 21/1, 2 at West Coast NP on 22/1, and 8 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta
150+ from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris
100+ from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos
1 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri
8 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1. Luckily, almost all of the 'yellow-nosed' albatrosses we saw were sufficiently close to the boat to be specifically identified.
Southern Giant-Petrel Macronectes giganteus
2 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera
10 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1. Potentially confusable with Sooty Shearwater from a distance, but the fast flight, with few wing beats and high arcing glides, was typical of a Pterodroma.
Spectacled Petrel Procellaria conspicillata
2 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1 were a real bonus and gave good views in flight and at close range at rest amongst a raft of White-chinned Petrels. The bold white forehead was especially conspicuous when viewed directly head-on to the observer and enabled their detection amongst the White-chinneds.
White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis
400 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1 and 3 offshore at Scarborough south of Kommetjie on 20/1.
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedia
50 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis
20 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus
75 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus
2 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
European Storm-Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus
2 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus
12 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1. Some of these birds often gave good views as they passed close alongside the boat or fed in its wake.
Great White Pelican (Eastern White Pelican) Pelecanus onocrotalus
Seen in small numbers at various sites, and especially at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei on 19/1, and West Coast NP on 22/1 and 25/1.
Cape Gannet Morus capensis
Largest daily total being 100 at Yserfontein on 22/1. Also, 10 from pelagic off Cape Point on 19/1 and 20 at Scarborough on 20/1
White-breasted Cormorant Phalacrocorax lucidus
Common and numerous, especially at sites such as Kommetjie, Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR, with the largest total in a day being 50 on 19/1. [Though treated as a separate species by the authors of the Sasol guide, some authorities treat lucidus as a race of Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo.]
Cape Cormorant Phalacrocorax capensis
Common, with large numbers seen from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1 and 50+ at Yserfontein harbour on 25/1.
Bank Cormorant Phalacrocorax neglectus
6 at Simon's Town on 17/1, 8 from pelagic whilst travelling through False Bay on 18/1, 3 at Kommetjie on 20/1 and 8 at Yserfontein harbour on 25/1. Most were seen by diligently searching through large numbers of Cape Cormorants.
Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus
3 at Zandvlei on 17/1, 30 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 1 at Olifant bridge on 24/1.
Crowned Cormorant Phalacrocorax coronatus
3 in Simon's Town harbour and 3 at Kommetjie on 18/1, another at Kommetjie on 20/1 and 1 at Yserfontein harbour on 22/1 and 2 there on 25/1.
African Darter Anhinga rufa
Seen in small numbers at several sites. The largest counts were 20 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 8 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
A few seen, with the largest count being 4 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1.
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala
Rather more frequently seen than Grey Heron, though still in small numbers only, with most being found at Strandfontein sewage works, Rondevlei NR and West Coast NP.
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
3 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 1 at De Hoop NR on 21/1.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Small numbers recorded at several sites, including Kommetjie, Strandfontein sewage works, Rondevlei NR and West Coast NP.
Yellow-billed Egret Egretta intermedia
1 at West Coast NP on 22/1.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Recorded in small numbers at several sites, with 50 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1.
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax
6 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1.
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
2 at Zandvlei on 17/1 and 1 at Olifant bridge on 24/1.
White Stork Ciconia ciconia
Several small flocks seen, such as 6 at West Coast NP on 22/1, but the largest counts were 100 at Zandvlei on 17/1 and 25+ at a small roadside breeding site south west of Paarl on 25/1 and 26/1.
African Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus
Common, particularly at sites such as De Hoop NP and West Coast NP, with 150+ at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1.
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Seen in small numbers, including 3 at Kommetjie on 18/1 and 2 there on 20/1, and 50 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1.
Hadeda Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
Seen in small numbers at several sites, such as Kistenbosch Botanical Gardens, Simon's Town, Paarl and Cape Town International Airport.
African Spoonbill Platalea alba
4 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 6 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber
300 at Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1, 20 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 10 there on 25/1. No Lesser Flamingos P. minor were found amongst these flocks.
White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus
6 on roadside pools at Milnerton on 21/1.
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus
Common, seen almost daily in good numbers.
South African Shelduck Tadorna cana
16 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 24 at West Coast NP on 22/1, 2 at Darling farmland loops on 24/1 and 6 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata
Fairly numerous, including 50 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 6 at Milnerton on 21/1 and 12 at West Coast NP on 22/1.
African Black Duck Anas sparsa
2 on roadside pools at Sir Lowry's Pass on 20/1.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
2 on a roadside pool near Kommetjie on 18/1.
Cape Teal Anas capensis
500+ at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 1 at Milnerton on 21/1 and 2 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha
20 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 2 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 2 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Cape Shoveler Anas smithii
150 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 6 at Milnerton on 21/1, 3 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 2 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma
15 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1, and 1 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis
100 at Milnerton on 21/1 and 30 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1, with small numbers seen at several other widely scattered sites.
Maccoa Duck Oxyura maccoa
20 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 1 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Secretarybird Sagitttarius serpentarius
1, possibly 2, at De Hoop NR on 21/1.
Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres
14 soaring over the hills at Potberg on 21/1 were briefly joined by a Martial Eagle.
Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius
Small numbers encountered thoughout trip, with 10 in a day on 22/1 the largest count, though none seen at the Cape Peninsula. Similar in appearance to Black Kite M. migrans, the yellow bill was quite obvious given good views.
Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus
Common roadside bird, especially numerous in the Overberg area, West Coast NP and en route to and from Namaqualand.
European Honey-buzzard Pernis apivorus
1 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1 was a pleasant surprise as this species is considered quite scarce at the Cape.
Verreaux's Eagle Aquila verreauxii
1 adult alongside the N7 route 15 km south of Clanwilliam on 22/1, 2 adults gave spectacular views at Goegap NR on 23/1, and a juvenile at Paarl Mountain on 26/1.
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
2 at West Coast NP on 22/1, and 2 at Goegap NR on 23/1.
Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus
1 adult soaring with Cape Vultures at Potberg on 21/1 and 1 perched on a roadside pylon near Springbok on 23/1.
African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer
Single adults near Struisbaai on 21/1 and West Coast NP on 25/1.
Steppe Buzzard Buteo vulpinus
Seen daily and very common, especially in the Overberg area, with at least 100 counted on 21/1. [Note that most European authorities presently treat Steppe Buzzard as a race of Common Buzzard B. buteo]
Forest Buzzard Buteo trizonatus
1 noisy juvenile near Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 26/1.
Jackal Buzzard Buteo rufofuscus
Far less numerous than Steppe Buzzard though several were found along roadsides, especially in the Overberg area on 21/1. Adults unmistakeable but juveniles and immatures potentially confusable with Steppe Buzzard and probably overlooked.
Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk (Red-breasted Sparrowhawk) Accipiter rufiventris
3 at Millers Point south of Simon's Town on 20/1.
Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus
1 juvenile at Darling farmland loops on 26/1.
Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk Melierix canorus
Following our first alongside the N7 route as we headed north towards Springbok on 22/1, this splendid species proved quite numerous in Namaqualand, with at least 10 on 23/1 and 15 on 24/1, mostly found perched on roadside bushes and telegraph poles.
African Marsh-Harrier Circus ranivorus
3 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 3 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Black Harrier Circus maurus
2 at De Hoop NR on 21/1, 2 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 1 there on 25/1, and 1 en route south from Springbok to the Cape on 24/1.
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
1 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
1 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1, 1 at Kommetjie on 18/1, 2 at Cape Point on 19/1, 1 in the Overberg on 21/1 and 3 at various sites along the west coast on 22/1.
Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus
Several seen during the trip, including 3 in the Springbok area on 23/1.
Rock Kestrel Falco (tinnunculus) rupicolis
1 or 2 almost daily at various sites visited.
Greater Kestrel Falco rupicoloides
11 on 23/1 and 12 on 24/1 were all seen perched on roadside telegraph poles between Springbok and Pofadder.
Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni
100+ seen hawking insects together over fields at the farmland loops between Swellandam and Malgas on 20/1 and 1 in the same region on 21/1.
Pygmy Falcon Polihierax semitorquatus
3 near Koa Dunes, Pofadder on 24/1.
Grey-winged Francolin Scleroptila africanus
1 at De Hoop NR on 21/1 and 30 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Cape Francolin Pternistes capensis
Common, especially at De Hoop NR and West Coast NP.
Common Quail Coturnix coturnix
1 heard but not seen at De Hoop NR on 21/1.
Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris
Seen almost daily and common.
Blue Crane Anthropoides paradisea
Fairly common in the fields in the Overberg region, where 40 seen on 20/1 and 50 on 21/1, plus 3 on 24/1, 3 on 25/1 and 1 en route to Paarl on 26/1, nevertheless this is surely one of South Africa's most spectacular looking birds.
African Rail Rallus caerulescens
2 at the watering hole, West Coast NP on 25/1.
Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostris
2 at the watering hole, West Coast NP and 1 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1 (RMA).
African Purple Swamphen Porphyrio madagascariensis
15 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 2 at Milnerton on 21/1 and 1 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1. [Note the authors of the Sasol Guide treat this as a separate species from Purple Swamp-hen P. porphyrio.]
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
Fairly common, with largest count of 20 noted at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1.
Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata
Quite common in suitable wetlands, with 100 at Zandvlei on 17/1, 30 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 10 at Milnerton on 21/1.
Denham's Bustard (Stanley's Bustard) Neotis denhami
12 in fields along the farmland loops between Swellendam and De Hoop NR on 20/1.
Karoo Korhaan Eupodotis vigorsii
6 along the farmland loops between Swellendam and De Hoop NR on 20/1 and 4 near Diepvlei guest house on 24/1.
Southern Black Korhaan Eupodotis afra
6 in roadside fields south of Clanwilliam on 22/1 and 5 seen at remarkably close range on vacant housing plots at Langebaan on 25/1.
Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis
1 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 2 at the watering hole at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 3 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
African Black Oystercatcher Haematopus moquini
5 at Simon's Town on 17/1, 10 at Kommetjie on 18/1, 2 at Cape Point on 19/1, 24 at Scarborough on 20/1, 5 at Struisbaai on 21/1 and 6 at Yserfontein on 22/1 and 11 there on 25/1.
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
1 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 2 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 80 there on 25/1.
White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus
3 at Kommetjie on 18/1, 2 at Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1, 2 at Struisbaai on 21/1, 7 at West Coast NP and Yserfontein Gypsum Mine on 22/1, and 6 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Chestnut-banded Plover Charadrius pallidus
7 at Yserfontein Gypsum Mine and West Coast NP on 22/2 and 8 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius
1 at Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1, 10 in total at Yserfontein Gypsum Mine and West Coast NP on 22/1, and 19 again at West Coast NP and 1 at Paarl bird sanctuary sewage works on 25/1.
Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris
5 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 1 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 2 there on 25/1.
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
10 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and again there on 25/1.
Crowned Lapwing (Crowned Plover) Vanellus albiceps
8 on school fields near Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1 and 20 there on 20/1, 15 at De Hoop NR on 21/1, 2 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 2 at Koa Dunes, Pofadder on 24/1.
Blacksmith Lapwing (Blacksmith Plover) Vanellus armatus
Common and widely recorded, with 100 seen on 25/1 alone.
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
2 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 14 there on 25/1.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
1 at Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1 and 2 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
2 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 1 there on 25/1.
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis
3 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 9 there on 25/1.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
1 heard at Kommetjie on 18/1 and 20 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 20 there again on 25/1.
Red Knot Calidris canutus
2 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 20 there on 25/1.
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
1 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 100 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 500 there on 25/1.
Little Stint Calidris minuta
4 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 50 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 200 there on 25/1.
Sanderling Calidris alba
4 at Struisbaai on 21/1 and 6 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 75 there on 25/1.
Ruff Philomachus pugnax
8 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 2 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 4 there on 25/1.
African Snipe (Ethiopian Snipe) Gallinaga nigripennis
4 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 1 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 2 there on 25/1.
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica
6 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
3 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Common Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
1 at Kommetjie on 20/1, 10+ at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 50+ there on 25/1.
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
300 in total at Cape Point and Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1, 5 at Struisbaai on 21/1 and 40 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus
60 at Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1, 2 at Milnerton on 21/1, 4 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 10 there on 25/1.
Spotted Thick-knee (Spotted Dikkop) Burhinus capensis
2 at De Hoop NR on 21/1, 1 at Langebaan on 24/1 and 2 in flight over the car near Cape Town on 25/1.
Water Thick-knee (Water Dikkop) Burhinus vermiculatus
2 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Burchell's Courser Cursorius rufus
4 at Koa Dunes, near Pofadder on 24/1.
Parasitic Jaeger (Arctic Skua) Stercorarius parasiticus
20+ from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1 and 2 off Scarborough on 20/1.
Long-tailed Jaeger (Long-tailed Skua) Stercorarius longicaudus
3 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Subantarctic Skua Catharacta antarctica
3 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Grey-headed Gull Larus cirrocephalus
Far less numerous than Hartlaub's Gull with which it was invariably found. 1 at Simon's Town harbour on 17/1 and 18/1, 1 at Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1 and 10 at Paarl bird sanctuary on 25/1.
Hartlaub's Gull Larus hartlaubii
Very common.
Sabine's Gull Larus sabini
5 adults from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Cape Gull (Kelp Gull) Larus vetula
Very common at all coastal sites visted. [Note that the authors of the Sasol guide split Cape Gull L. vetula from Kelp Gull L. dominicanus. An adult seen at Yserfontein on 25/1 had pale irides, one of the characters that apparently differentiates Kelp Gull, but no other features could be seen to distinguish it from the associating dark-eyed Cape Gulls.]
Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
2 at Zandvlei on 17/1, 1 at Kommetjie on 18/1, 1 at Struisbaai on 21/1, 1 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and another there on 25/1.
Swift Tern (Crested Tern) Sterna bergii
Common at all coastal sites visited.
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Common along the coast, especially amongst the large flocks of terns seen at Kommetjie.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo
Very common, especially so at Kommetjie and Scarborough.
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
100 from pelagic off Cape Point on 18/1.
Damara Tern Sterna balaenarum
8 along the beach at Struisbaai on 21/1.
Little Tern Sterna albifrons
2 at West Coast NP on 22/1.
White-winged Tern (White-winged Black Tern) Chlidonias leucopterus
500 at Paarl bird sanctuary sewage works on 25/1.
Namaqua Sandgrouse Pterocles namaqua
30+ at Goegap NR on 23/1 and 50 at Koa Dunes, Pofadder on 24/1.
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Columba livia
Fairly common introduction.
Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
Very common and widespread, seen daily during trip.
African Olive-Pigeon (Rameron Pigeon) Columba arquatrix
10 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1, and 5 at Constantia Greenbelts on 20/1 and 26/1.
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
Seen in small numbers most days of trip.
Cape Turtle-Dove Streptopelia capicola
As with previous species, seen in small numbers during trip.
Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
Fairly commonly seen throughout trip.
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis
None seen around the Cape, though numerous in the Overberg, West Coast NP and Namaqualand.
Lemon Dove (Cinnamon Dove) Aplopelia larvata
1 skulking at close range in deep shade under bushes at De Hel in the Constantia Greenbelts on 26/1.
Burchell's Coucal Centropus burchelli
2 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1.
Barn Owl Tyto alba
1 found dead at the Geelbek visitor centre, West Coast NP on 25/1.
Cape Eagle-Owl Bubo capensis
1 perched on a roadside post at dusk north of Milnerton on 21/1 and another decided it would like to take a look at its reflection in the front bumper of our car south of Springbok on 22/1; unfortunately for the owl we were travelling at 70 mph at the time whereas it wasn't!
Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus
2 adults and a fledged juvenile in trees near the toilet block at Camphor Avenue, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1.
Common Swift Apus apus
1 at Augrabies on 23/1 (PB).
African Black Swift Apus barbatus
Fairly common around the Cape Peninsula, with 25 at Kommetjie on 18/1, 35 at Cape of Good Hope Reserve on 19/1 and 10 at Paarl on 25/1 the largest counts. Remarkably similar in appearance to Common Swift, though when seen against dark background (not a frequent occurrence) showed a slight but noticeable contrast between the dark upperparts of body and paler inner hindwing. Two unidentified swifts seen near Pofadder on 24/1 were either this species or Common Swift, though we tried our best to string them as Bradfield's Swift A. bradfieldi.
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer
Encountered almost daily in small numbers, with good views obtained of several seen low over a ponds at Zandvlei on 17/1.
Horus Swift Apus horus
2 at De Hoop NR on 21/1.
Little Swift Apus affinis
Fairly common, with 30 at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1 the largest number seen at one site.
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba
Apart form 20 at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1, just a few seen amongst swift flocks elsewhere during trip.
Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus
1 at Boulders Beach, Simons Town on 17/1, 15 at De Hoop NR on 21/1 and 5 at Paarl on 26/1.
White-backed Mousebird Colius colius
7 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 2 there on 25/1, and 50+ in total at Goegap NR and Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1.
Red-faced Mousebird Urocolius indicus
5 at De Hoop NR on 21/1 and 1 on 26/1.
Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis
1 at Cape Town on 17/1, 2 at Kommetjie on 18/1 and 20/1, 4 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondevlei NR on 19/1, and 1 at Milnerton on 21/1.
Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata
2 at Zandvlei on 17/1, 2 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 1 at Paarl on 25/1.
European Bee-eater Merops apiaster
15 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 2 there on 25/1, and 2 heard on 26/1.
Swallow-tailed Bee-eater Merops hirundineus
2 at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1.
African Hoopoe Upupa africana
5 at De Hoop NR on 21/1 and singles at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 25/1. [Note the authors of the Sasol guide treat African Hoopoe as a separate species from Hoopoe U epops.]
Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas
1 at De Hoop NR on 21/1, 4 at Goegap NR on 23/1 and 1 at Darling Farmlands on 26/1.
Ground Woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus
6 at Millers Point, south of Simon's Town on 19/1.
Knysna Woodpecker Campethera notata
2 at Potberg on 21/1.
Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos grisecephalus
1 in trees at the Breede River crossing, Malgas on 20/1.
Cape Clapper Lark Mirafra apiata
2 at Darling Farmlands on 26/1.
Fawn-coloured Lark Mirafra africanoides
2 at Koa Dunes, Pofadder on 24/1.
Cape Long-billed Lark Certhilauda curvirostris
1 at Paternoster on 26/1.
Agulhas Long-billed Lark Certhilauda brevirostris
2 along the farmland loops between Swellendam and Malgas on 20/1.
Karoo Long-billed Lark Certilauda subcoronata
4 at Koa Dunes, Poffader on 24/1.
Karoo Lark Certhilauda albescens
5 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Red Lark Certhilauda burra
2 at Koa Dunes, near Pofadder on 24/1.
Spike-heeled Lark Chersomanes albofasciata
1 at Goegap NR and 3 at Augrabies on 23/1 and 6 at Pofadder on 24/1.
Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea
Common in roadside fields in the Overberg region, with 25 on 20/1 and 30 on 21/1, 4 at Darling Farmlands on 22/1 and 4 at Paarl on 25/1.
Stark's Lark Eremalauda starki
2 near Augrabies on 23/1.
Large-billed Lark (Southern Thick-billed Lark) Galerida magnirostris
2 at the Swellandam farmland loops on 20/1, 2 at Tienie Versveld NR on 24/1 and 3 at Paternoster on 26/1.
Grey-backed Sparrowlark (Grey-backed Finchlark) Eremopterix verticalis
20+ at Augrabies on 23/1 and 100 at Pofadder on 24/1.
Black-eared Sparrowlark (Black-eared Finchlark) Eremopterix australis
1 at Augrabies on 23/1 and 6 at Pofadder on 24/1.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Commonly seen throughout trip. The plumage of many individuals seen [and photographed by RMA] at close range at the Cape was worn, dull and in active moult. In some extreme cases, probably involving the previous calendar year's juveniles, the forehead and throat patch had faded to off-white, the blue on the head had faded to brown (making them not unlike Sand Martin on the head) and the outer primaries were a very worn and faded pale grey-brown contrasting with markedly darker, fresh inner primaries, giving them a quite unfamiliar appearance to that of the birds we encounter in the northern hemisphere and those illustrated in the Sasol guide.
White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis
This exquisite swallow was encountered in small numbers during the trip, though nowhere common, the largest count being 10 at Strandfontein sewage works and Rondvlei NR on 19/1.
Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata
5 at Swellendam farmland loops on 20/1, 1 at De Hoop NR on 21/1 and 4 at Darling farmlands on 22/1 and 3 there on 26/1.
Greater Striped Swallow Hirundo cucullata
Fairly commonly seen amongst flocks of hirundines throughout the trip though less numerous than Barn Swallow.
Rock Martin Hirundo fuligula
Small numbers seen at several sites, and fairly numerous on the Cape Peninsula. Darker and rather more Crag Martin-like than the race of Rock Martin that occurs in the Middle East.
Common House Martin Delichon urbica
3 at Sir Lowry's Pass on 20/1, 1 at Malmsebury on 22/1 and 5+ at Paarl Mountain on 26/1. Like Barn Swallow, those that were seen well were much duller, especially on the rump, and often exhibited a clear moult contrast between the dark inner primaries and worn, faded outer primaries, quite unlike those we are used to seeing in the northern hemisphere.
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
2 at Strandfontain sewage works on 19/1.
Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola
Common, especially at Strandfontein sewage works where 100+ were seen on 19/1.
Banded Martin Riparia cincta
6 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 2 there on 25/1.
Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne holomelaena
6 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1, 3 at Constantia Greenbelts on 20/1, and 2 at Paarl Mountain on 25/1 and 4 there on 26/1.
Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
1 at Malgas on 20/1 and 12 at De Hoop NR and Potberg on 21/1.
Cape Crow (Black Crow) Corvus capensis
Fairly common in the Overberg region, with 20 on 20/1 and 10 on 21/1, but otherwise the only birds seen were in Namaqualand, with 3 on 23/1 and 6 on 24/1.
Pied Crow Corvus albus
Commonly seen during trip, especially at West Coast NP and in Namaqualand, but none seen on the Cape Peninsula.
House Crow Corvus splendens
6 at Cape Town International Airport on 17/1 and 2 there on 26/1.
White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis
Seen in small numbers, especially on the Cape Peninsula and in the Overberg region, but none in Namaqualand.
Grey Tit (Southern Grey Tit) Parus afer
2 at Langebaan on 25/1.
Ashy Tit Parus cinerascens
3 at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1.
Cape Penduline-Tit Anthroscopus minutus
6 at De Hoop NR on 21/1 and 21 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Cape Bulbul Pycnonotus capensis
Common, especially at De Hoop NR and West Coast NP.
African Red-eyed Bulbul Pycnonotus nigricans
40 at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1.
Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus
6 at Kistenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1 and 26/1, and 2 at De Hoop NR on 21/1.
Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus
6 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1.
Karoo Thrush Turdus smithi
1 at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1. [Note that some authors treat Karoo Thrush as a race of Olive Thrush; for example see Thrushes by Clement and Hathway (2000) ].
Cape Rock-Thrush Monticola rupestris
1 at Sir Lowry's Pass on 20/1.
Mountain Wheatear (Mountain Chat) Oenanthe monticola
Commonly found in Namaqualand, with 30 on 23/1 and 12 on 24/1.
Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata
Fairly commonly seen, with 8 on 20/1 and 6 on 21/1 in the Overberg region being the largest counts during the trip.
Familiar Chat Cercomela familiaris
Singles seen at Froggy Farm, Simon's Town on 17/1, 18/1 and 20/1 and 2 at De Hoop NR on 21/1.
Tractrac Chat Cercomela tractrac
1 at Goegap NR on 23/1.
Sickle-winged Chat Cercomela sinuata
2 at Paternoster on 26/1.
Karoo Chat Cercomela schlegelli
2 en route to Springbok on 22/1 and 3 at Goegap NR on 23/1.
Ant-eating Chat (Southern Ant-eating Chat) Myrmecocichla formicivora
5 en route to Springbok on 22/1, 20 at Goegap NR on 23/1 and 15 at various roadside sites southwards along N7 from Springbok on 24/1.
African Stonechat (Common Stonechat) Saxicola torquata
Fairly commonly found during trip, with 10 at De Hoop NR and surrounding area on 21/1 the largest count in one day. [Note that the Common Stonechat complex is increasingly treated as a three-way split into European Stonechat S. rubicola, Siberian Stonechat S. maura and African Stonechat S. torquata; for example see Stonechats by Urquhart (2002)].
Cape Robin-Chat (Cape Robin) Cossypha caffra
Commonly seen at a wide variety of sites throughout trip.
Cape Rock-jumper Chaetops frenatus
4 at Sir Lowry's Pass on 20/1.
Karoo Scrub-Robin Cercotricus coryphoeus
2 at De Hoop NR on 21/1, 3 at Yserfontein and West Coast NP on 22/1, 2 at Goegap NR on 23/1 and 10 Langebaan and West Coast NP on 25/1.
Layard's Tit-babbler Parisoma layardi
4 at Goegap NR on 23/1.
African Reed Warbler (African Marsh Warbler) Acrocephalus baeticatus
6 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1.
Lesser Swamp-Warbler (Cape Reed Warbler) Acrocephalus gracilirostris
3 at Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1 and 4 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Little Rush-Warbler (African Sedge Warbler) Bradypterus baboecala
3 at West Coast NP on 25/1. Its distinctive song was easily heard in dense reeds and sedge, but patience and a tape required to tempt them into view.
Knysna Warbler Bradypterus sylvaticus
2 at Constantia Greenbelt on 20/1 and 1 heard at another site within the Constantia Greenbelt on 26/1. Frustratingly skulking and difficult to see.
Victorin's Warbler Bradypterus victorini
1 responded well to tape and was seen at close range and another was heard at Sir Lowry's Pass on 20/1.
Bar-throated Apalis Apalis thorarica
6 at De Hoop NR on 21/1 and 3 at Constantia Greenbelts on 26/1.
Long-billed Crombec Sylvietta rufescens
4 at De Hoop NR on 21/1, 1 at West Coast NP on 22/1, 1 at Goegap NR on 23/1 and 1 at Darling farmlands loop on 26/1.
Karoo Eremomela Eremomela gregalis
20 at Goegap NR on 23/1.
Cinnamon-breasted Warbler Euryptila subcinnamomea
2 at Goegap NR on 23/1.
Cape Grassbird Sphenoeacus afer
1 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 1 at Sir Lowry's Pass on 20/1, 2 at De Hoop NR on 21/1, 1 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 1 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 26/1.
Zitting Cisticola (Fan-tailed Cisticola) Cisticola juncidis
1 alongside the N2 en route to Swellendam on 20/1 (PB).
Cloud Cisticola Cisticola textrix
3 at Tienie Versveld NR on 24/1.
Grey-backed Cisticola Cisticola subruficapillus
2 at Sir Lowry's Pass on 20/1, 1 at De Hoop NR on 21/1 and 2 at West Coast NP on 25/1.
Levaillant's Cisticola Cisticola tinniens
10 at Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1.
Neddicky Cisticola fulvicapillus
10 at Sir Lowry's Pass on 20/1.
Black-chested Prinia Prinia flavicans
2 at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1.
Karoo Prinia (Spotted Prinia) Prinia maculosa
Common and widespread through trip.
Namaqua Warbler Phragmacia substriata
3 at Goegap NR on 23/1.
Rufous-eared Warbler Malcorus pectoralis
3 at Koa Dunes, Pofadder on 24/1.
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
2 at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1.
African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
3 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1, 6 at Constantia Greenbelts on 20/1 and 1 there on 26/1, and 3 at Potberg on 21/1.
Fiscal Flycatcher Sigelus silens
Seen in small numbers, with 4 at Cape of Good Hope Reserve on 19/1 the largest count in a day.
Cape Batis Batis capensis
2 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1, 1 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 1 at De Hoop NR 21/1 and 1 at Constantia Greenbelts on 26/1.
Fairy Flycatcher Stenostira scita
3 at Goegap NR on 23/1 and 1 at Diepvlei guest house garden on 24/1.
African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
2 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1 and 2 at Constantia Greenbelts on 20/1.
Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis
Commonly seen throughout the trip.
African Pipit (Grassveld Pipit) Anthus cinnamomeus
7 on a school playing field near Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 3 there on 20/1, 2 at De Hoop NR on 21/1, 2 at Darling farmland loops on 24/1, 1 at West Coast NP on 25/1 and 2 at Paternoster on 26/1.
Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis
1 at Goegap NR on 23/1.
Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
6 at Olifantsbos, Cape of Good Hope Reserve on 19/1.
Cape Longclaw (Orange-throated Longclaw) Macronyx capensis
7 at Tienie Versveld NR on 24/1.
Common Fiscal (Fiscal Shrike) Lanius collaris
Common, with as many as 40 at De Hoop NR and Potberg area on 21/1.
Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio
1 male at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1.
Southern Boubou Laniarius ferrugineus
2 at Boulders Beach, Simon's Town on 17/1, 1 at Kommetjie on 18/1, 2 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 1 at Constantia Greenbelts on 20/1 and 2 at De Hoop NR on 21/1.
Southern Tchagra Tchagra tchagra
1 at the campground, De Hoop NR on 21/1.
Bokmakierie Telophorus zeylonus
Fairly common, with 10 at De Hoop NR and Potberg on 21/1 the largest count in a day, though none seen on the Cape Peninsula.
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Common and numerous, seen almost daily.
Pied Starling (African Pied Starling) Spreo bicolor
Common in flocks, though none seen on the Cape Peninsula.
Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea
Flocks of 30 on 22/1 and 60 on 25/1 at West Coast NP.
Cape Glossy Starling Lamprotornis nitens
3 at Goegap NR on 23/1.
Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio
Common on the Cape Peninsula and Overberg region, but none seen in Namaqualand where it seemed to be replaced by the next species.
Pale-winged Starling Onychognathus nabouroup
10 in total at Goegap NR and Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1.
Cape Sugarbird Promerops cafer
Common on the Cape Peninsula, with as many as 50 seen in our first day at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Froggy Farm, Simon's Town on 17/1.
Malachite Sunbird Nectarinia famosa
4 at Boulder's Beach, Simon's Town on 17/1, 2 at Millers Point on 19/1, 2 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 25/1, and 1 at Darling Farmlands on 26/1.
Orange-breasted Sunbird Anthobaphes violacea
This splendid endemic was quite common on the Cape Peninsula, with a total of 75 seen at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Simon's Town on 17/1.
Southern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris chalybea
Less numerous than last species, with 10 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1.
Dusky Sunbird Cinnyris fusca
8 in total at Goegap NR and Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1.
Amethyst Sunbird (African Black Sunbird) Chalcomitra amethystina
1 male at Potberg on 21/1 (MCP, PB).
Cape White-eye Zosterops virens
Commonly seen throughout trip.
Orange River White-eye Zosterops pallidus
25 at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1.
Sociable Weaver Philetairus socius
40 on 23/1 and 50+ on 24/1 seen in flocks around their huge thatched nests on roadside telegraph poles between Springbok and Pofadder.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Suprisingly seen in only small numbers, though perhaps we just didn't notice them.
Cape Sparrow Passer melanurus
Common away from the Cape Peninsula.
Southern Grey-headed Sparrow Passer diffusus
4 at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1.
Scaly-feathered Finch Sporopipes squamifrons
9 at Koa Dunes, near Pofadder on 24/1.
Cape Weaver Ploceus capensis
Common and confiding, we had many feeding out of our hands at the Geelbek cafe at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 25/1.
Southern Masked-Weaver Ploceus velatus
6 at Rondvlei NR on 19/1, 2 males at Augrabies Falls NP on 23/1 and 1 on 26/1.
Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix
6 along the roadside towards Swellendam on 20/1, 6 at De Hoop NR on 21/1, 6 at Paarl on 251 and 4 there on 26/1.
Yellow Bishop (Yellow-rumped Widow) Euplectes capensis
3 along the roadside towards Swellendam on 20/1, 1 male at De Hoop NR 21/1, 2 at West Coast NP on 22/1 and 4 there on 25/1.
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
Several small, scattered groups seen, including 5 at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1 and 5 at Strandfontein sewage works on 19/1.
Swee Waxbill Estrilda melanotis
Several heard but not seen at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and 2 briefly seen at Paarl Mountain on 26/1.
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
3 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1 and 1 at West Coast NP on 22/1..
Cape Canary Serinus canicollis
4 at Kistenbosch Botanical Gardens on 17/1, 2 at Rondevlei NR on 19/1, 6 at Constantia Greenbelts on 20/1 and 2 at Paarl on 26/1.
Forest Canary Serinus scotops
3 at Constantia Greenbelt on 26/1.
Cape Siskin Pseudochloroptila totta
2 at Cape of Good Hope Reserve on 19/1 and 12 at Sir Lowry's Pass on 20/1.
Black-headed Canary Alario alario
2 at Springbok on 23/1.
Yellow Canary Serinus flaviventris
Common, especially in the Overberg region and at De Hoop NR.
White-throated Canary Serinus albogularis
6 at De Hoop NR on 21/1 and 5 at Goegap NR on 23/1.
Protea Seed-eater (Protea Canary) Serinus leucopterus
3 at Paarl Mountain on 26/1.
Streaky-headed Seed-eater (Streaky-headed Canary) Serinus gularis
2 at Paarl Mountain on 26/1.
Cape Bunting Emberiza capensis
2 at Cape of Good Hope Reserve on 19/1, 4 at De Hoop NR on 21/1, and 10 in total at Springbok and Goegap NR on 23/1.
Lark-like Bunting Emberiza impetuani
2 at West Coast NP on 22/1, 8 in total at Springbok and Goegap NR on 23/1, 15 at Pofadder on 24/1 and 2 at West Coast NP on 25/1.