We spent a month at the Keurbooms River in Plettenberg Bay this December vacation. The area still has several natural areas with its utmost natural habitat. We never expected any special animals in the area until this December it has proven the opposite. The area is mainly not a regular birdwatching destination.
We thought we'd observe some of the species of the area. Since our early days, we have picked up amazing birds such as the Knysna Woodpecker and the Knysna Warbler which we regularly see.
A week into the vacation we were curious about what nocturnal bird species occur and we waited at a smallish grass field bordering the coastal Milkwood forests of the area. We waited here at dawn when the Fiery-necked Nightjars kept us busy. When the darkness arouses on the long grass fields, we saw two “Barn Owls” flying low over the grass and diving back in. After randomly scrolling through the birds on my Firefinch app at home I came across the African Grass Owl. After I knew that it was this species a fire of excitement started in me as to the fact that I would have never even thought of the bird as a possibility! We went back the following nights and confirmed it was in fact a pair of
African Grass Owls!
The Keurbooms River is also becoming more and more famous for producing several rarities annually. This December we discovered a single Red Knot, the first known sighting in the area! Further in the vacation, a truly unexpected European Honey Buzzard flew over the river! The bird sightings just couldn’t get better.
The vacation ended with a special find of breeding Olive Woodpeckers at their nest! The last few mornings with nothing better to do we photographed these handsome birds feeding their two well-hidden chicks down the hole in a tree.
Other species of the area include Knysna Turaco, Common- and Swee Waxbill, Brimstone Canary, Southern Boubou, Black Saw-wing, Green-backed Camaroptera, Forest Canary, Black-backed Puffback, Terrestrial Brownbul, Olive Bushshrike, Burchell's Coucal, Sombre Greenbul, Streaky-headed Seedeater and four species of Sunbird: Greater- and Lesser Double-collared, Amethyst and the special Grey Sunbird. This is only some of the birds found here and a total of 51 species have been seen around the Keurbooms River (excluding the birds found on the river). On rainy days Plain Rain Frogs frequent the dense Milkwood thickets. Recently a Caracal has been spotted in the area. We were fortunate enough to see it hunting in front of our house!
I will highly recommend the Keurbooms River as a birding spot when in the Garden Route. After all this excitement I can’t wait what our next vacation in the Keurbooms awaits!
Written and designed by Ruven Schoeman
