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Birding,
Bird watching
Fernkloof Reserve is
home to a
fascinating variety
of birds and almost
100 species have
been identified in
this small area,
including 5 of the 6
fynbos endemic
species of the
Western Cape. These
are the
Orange-breasted
Sunbird, the Cape
Sugarbird, the Cape
Siskin, the Cape
Rockjumper and
Victorin's Warbler.
Southern Africa is
home to almost 10% of
the world's bird species
and coastal
towns like Hermanus
offer a unique
opportunity for
ornithologists to see a
variety of birds species
in a diverse array of
habitats. Keen bird
spotters can observe
birds in a marine,
estuarine, mountain,
river or coastal
habitat.
Perhaps the most
popular of the 60-odd
species recorded around
Hermanus cliff paths,
are the Kelp Gull,
Cape cormorant, Cape
robin, Cape Francolin
and Rock pigeon.
In Summer, when the
weather’s warmer, a
number of other species
also make an appearance,
such as the
Bokmakierie, Cape
sugarbird and Greater
striped swallow.
Hikers and coastal
walkers, making use of
the many trails through
the reserve, will pass
through a number of
habitat types. The
woodland, fynbos,
riverine scrub, mountain
slopes and coastal
regions are inhabited by
many different species
of birds.
The diversity of the
landscape
around Hermanus
makes for a diverse mix
of bird species, and the
nearby Fernkloof reserve
alone boasts around a
hundred species.
This relatively small
area is also home to 5
of the 6 fynbos endemic
species of the Western
Cape; the
Orange-breasted Sunbird,
the Cape Sugarbird, the
Cape Siskin, the Cape
Rockjumper and
Victorin's Warbler.
Another prime
spot is the Bot River
lagoon. This area is
renowned as one of the
prime bird watching
locations in the
Hermanus area. Specific
bird populations vary
according the time of
year and various
environmental factors,
but there are usually a
good number of species
in the area, sometimes
including the
rare oystercatcher, the
Sacred ibis, Pelican and
Flamingos.
There is a bird hide
on the Klein river
lagoon which is open for
all to use. Possibly the
most fun is a boat ride
down the river from
Stanford to the lagoon
and back with an
experienced birder. The
sea birds on the lagoon
and river birds on the
way down eg kingfisher,
fish eagle etc
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42 Westcliff Road
HERMANUS
South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)
28 3132806
Mobile: 083
486 5253
Email
onthecliff@telkomsa.net
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