Cape Peninsula highlights from one day’s birding
On 7 October 2019, Dave and I visited Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Strandfontein Birding Area, and Intaka Island. We saw many of the usual birds but there was one clear winner in the category of special bird at each site.
Lemon (Cinnamon) Doves are common in the forests at Kirstenbosch, but usually they walk off into the undergrowth when spotted. This individual provided perfect, unobstructed views.
At Strandfontein Birding Area we found this Bar-tailed Godwit at pan P2. The slightly upturned bill and barring on the upper tail are clearly visible. This migrant bird is near threatened globally.
At Intaka, we saw Pied Kingfishers as well as this female Giant Kingfisher (the male has a rufous chest) at the hide looking towards the martin breeding wall. The Giant Kingfisher has a SABAP2 reporting rate of 8% in this grid.
