As the long weekend approached, we headed to stay near McGregor (close to Robertson) in the Western Cape. Located deeper in the wilderness behind the karoo town is a wine farm where we stayed. Birds were plentiful here due to the unspoiled areas around the Lord's Wines guest house.
The habitat was moist karoo and fynbos, scattered with large proteas near the streams as well as occasional rocky areas and hills. Thus, making this area so good for birding due to the fact that the karoo intervenes with the fynbos habitat and provides both specials. Common birds included: Bokmakierie, Southern-Double Collared- and Malachite Sunbird, Cape Bunting, Grey-backed Cisticola, Familiar Chat, Large-billed Lark, Cape Canary, Cape Weaver and Nicholson's Pipit. The Blue Cranes roosted on an islan0d in one of the man-made dams in front of the guest house. Cape Spurfowl enjoyed the man-cleared areas for foraging. The protea stands behind our house provided feeding opportunities for Protea Canaries and Cape Sugarbirds. A pair of Sickle-winged Chats explored the open areas in the karoo habitat. Cape Grassbirds were plentiful and were calling from denser vegetation near streams.
Late afternoon the following day, I came across a rocky ravine located 2km behind the house and was alert for any African Rock Pipits nearby. As it started to get dark, I heard the fast woo-whoo call of the Cape Eagle Owl! I stayed there waiting with my ears wide open for any other clues given by the owl which may help me more or less to where it is currently roosting of course. To maximize my chances of seeing my first ever Cape Eagle Owl I moved deeper in the ravine hoping to enlarge my view.... No response from the owl yet and it started to get quite dark. I was committed to stay as long as what it will take for the owl to hopefully emerge from its roosting spot. Its 20 minutes later and no physical sign ot the owl...yet. There it was! The much larger Cape Eagle Owl flew up from the depths of the ravine and to an exposed rock to my right on the brink of my view before the ravine makes a turn out of sight. I slowly lifted my camera and took a few shots, but for about 30 seconds it was just me, the owl and the wilderness which surrounds us. Probably checking out another vantage point from where to prey on the Rock Hyrax, it past the turn and out of sight. After great excitement I walked back home very proud by my sighting which will stay with me forever.
Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve was near where we stayed, and we visited it one morning. Although we hoped for seeing a Willow Warbler which never wanted to show itself, other good birds were also seen. Fairy-Flycatcher, Acacia Barbet and Namaqua Sandgrouse stood out to me in the reserve. Due to limited time, we might have missed some specials, but we did quit a good "sweep" of the birds there.
After a successful weekend we ended with 55 birds seen in the McGregor area and hoping to visit the area again soon.
Please feel free to contact me on any further details on my trip.
Written and designed by Ruven Schoeman
Where is Lord's Wines