Charmed by a taste of South Africa

Cape Batis

The idea of a visit to South Africa came about due to my brother David's proposed arrival in Cape Town on Monday 23^rd March 2009, from his lecturing season in Antarctica on M.V. Minerva.  As Duncan Lawie was also going to travel down to join David for a two week holiday around 'The Cape', Annie and I decided to join them both for the two weeks – a great excuse to celebrate Duncan's 40^th birthday and for Annie and I to celebrate our 40^th Wedding Anniversary. Duncan kindly spent a lot of time in researching the two week programme that would give us all a taste of different African wildlife and habitats. This included contacting various people and friends in South Africa and then arranging not only our accommodation, but also a couple of wildlife guides as well as the chance to 'cage dive' with Great White Sharks. Our Great Uncle, Edward Wilson of the Antarctic (Uncle Ted), also visited Cape Town and its environs on both the S.S. Discovery in 1901 and in the S.S. Terra Nova in 1910, each time as they were sailing south on their way to Antarctica. This added poignancy to our trip which we were very conscious of on a number of occasions, as we visited places that had been mentioned in our Great Uncle's diaries.  We also had an appointment/meeting organised with a representative from the Cape Town 'Owl Club' as a matter of long standing concern from the Owl Club over treatment and remarks written by Uncle Ted in his Diary of the Terra Nova Expedition to the Antarctic 1910 - 1912 . The entry concerned is copied below.

So on Thursday 19^th March Annie and I left home and travelled over to Trish and Ian's in South London for a couple of days prior to departure. Time flew and on Sunday 22^nd we headed to Heathrow – Terminal 5 – met Duncan and departed with British Airways for Cape Town – the plane was half empty – mind you I have to make comment on the B.A. Staff – they really were just so friendly and efficient. It was a relief, shouldn't be particularly noticeable, but quality of service was way better than an awful lot of other airlines (we have been on rather a lot in recent years)  – just shows how so many airlines are becoming cut-throat and tight that they are now forgetting the customer…. Dawn on the Monday and we found ourselves flying over the Whaling Station at Saldanha Bay opposite Langebaan (where we were booked to stay on our 4^th night) and one of the sites that Uncle Ted visited, with his wife Ory, in 1910. The sunrise was spectacular – a sign of things to come….. We landed in Cape Town and soon had our Honda Accord packed and on the road – but which way to Simonstown. We took the scenic route; well we went the wrong way and travelled for miles through all sorts of unusual (to us) townships – there were just so many Africans walking – 100s of people, along the side of the road, over bits of green areas, across the roads, through alleys – it was different. Still early in the morning, so I suspect a lot of people were heading for work – traffic was very heavy. However it was good to get a feel for the place and we eventually turned up at Boulders Beach Lodge just outside Simonstown – almost the first bird we saw was African Penguin…. They were breeding literally outside our accommodation. So much so that we could hear Penguins calling – well braying - under the stairs leading up to our rooms at all times of the night and early morning. After hearing them call one could understand why they are called Jackass Penguin – it is uncanny just how similar the sound is to braying donkeys.  Another, almost amusing routine one had to get used to  was checking under the car to make sure Penguins were not resting underneath…  they were just everywhere. Mind you the actual population of these wonderful birds is in serious trouble with some 80% decline in recent years – who minds checking under the car? The worrying thing is how one stops the further decline of this species. After settling in we set off on a different route back to Cape Town, this time to collect David, who was due in on MV Minerva. I just couldn't get over how helpful their 'officialdom' was/is – at the harbour, the Officials could not have been more friendly, polite and helpful. What has happened at home? These people, in South Africa are just so friendly – a smile, a greeting and just anything to help – I noticed this at the arrival Passport Control – friendly, welcoming – yet still did the job that needed doing – but with a smile….. Where have we gone wrong in Ireland, UK, America, Australia…. Anyway, I digress – we were let into the port, with car, right up to the gangway – makes life so much more easy, just having to bring cases, bags etc. from the ship  (and not that they didn't check our car before going in – just so helpful and obliging). First night we had a cracking meal in Simonstown – all these unusual (for us) meats and tastes to experience.

Our second day (Tuesday 24^th) we headed out to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope – a mornings drive through the National Park, enjoying flora and fauna. So the Cape of Good Hope is 'not' the furthest south, yes a corner, but even Cape Point is further south (and the southern most tip of Africa is yet further south and we enjoyed that experience on the 30^th). We all headed up to Cape Point Lighthouse in the Funicular – the cable car – there were huge queues which were not helped by the visiting African Queen/Chieftain, well she had a large entourage with suited body-guards strategically placed around the party – a most interesting show, with a lot of pomp and ceremony surrounding her. However it was well worth the visit, though none of us are at all keen on crowds. That evening we ate in Boulders Beach Lodge – a bit disappointing (but, in fact the only disappointing meal of our trip – the Ostrich starter was lovely, but the Kudu was dreadfully tough – and we did have beautifully cooked Kudu elsewhere). 

Wednesday 25^th we headed for Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, just under Table Mountain and overlooking Cape Town.  We had a very important meeting with Peter Steyn of the Cape Town Owl Club, who had agreed to take us around the Botanical Gardens. Here lies an interesting family historical story. In 1910 Uncle Ted had been entertained, with other members of the Captain Scott party, by the Owl Club and the account of that visit can be found in the 'Edward Wilson Diary of the Terra Nova Expedition to the Antarctic 1910-1912'. (1972, H.G.R. King, Blanford Press, London.).  I have copied the particular passage concerned:

African Penguin

"Mon 22 Aug 1910

Erica regia

After a day of business on the ship and writing, for our sins we were entertained by the Cape Town 'Owl Club', a sort of colonial Savage Club and one of the worst we had ever the ill fortune to attend. We were all seated at small tables and apparently two members were told off to look after two guests. My two hosts first of all made offensive remarks about teetotallers when I said I didn't drink, and then quarrelled about the payment for a bottle of soda water which I was given and a half glass of sherry which had accidently been poured into my glass by the waiter while I wasn't looking. The quarrel was not who should pay for it, but who should not pay for it, and eventually as both refused to pay for the sherry, and as the old waiter said if they didn't he would have to, they said he might! Imagine my joy when I found that one of these delightful people, the most amusing if the most vulgar of the two, was a relative of Ruskin's*. No, I think strictly only a connection by marriage – not a relative happily. The evening was truly one of the most awful penalties of being a member of such a public expedition. There was no redeeming feature about the whole thing.

Malachite Kingfisher

*John Ruskin (1819 – 1900), whose artistic and social principles Wilson admired so enormously".

Naturally the Owl Club wanted to re-address the unfortunate family experience – and Peter certainly did that. We had a lovely morning in the Botanical Gardens – Peter was the perfect host and gave us a highly useful, informative and entertaining morning – his knowledge of the flora and fauna of South Africa is quite excellent and we could not have had a more friendly host and guide. Peter, Thank You So Much – you more than upheld the principles of the Club. The Cape Batis remains one of my firm favourites and enjoying not one but two Spotted Eagle-Owls was a privilege. I know, I could go on – those Cape Sugarbirds, the Proteas, the Erica species…..  Magic! - and 'honour has definitely been restored'. We all enjoyed the refreshments and lunch in the Visitor area and your advice for our afternoon's visit to Rondevlei Reserve was most useful. We also had an excellent visit to this wetland reserve – the wardens kindly let us put the car inside the compound and we were then free to wander from hide to hide.  One amusing anecdote was when at one hide David and Annie had gone in first and as Duncan and I came in they said there was a Malachite Kingfisher in a good position for a photograph – we had a look and I kept trying to get a good shot – the reeds kept swaying in the way. After a while, Annie said "Oh look there is another one further back!" - further back? It turned out we were looking at the further one – I got my photograph and that was what it was like, one good sighting to the next. We had dinner in Simonstown in a restaurant that overlooked the harbour – an excellent way to end the day. 

Thursday 26^th we headed for Langebaan. We had decided that the dropping of luggage was a priority prior to heading out in the particular location that we had booked (a necessity so that we could all leave the car when gallivanting).  Our B & B and base in Langebaan was at 'Walking on Water' with our hosts, Andre and Magdel Kruger. Andre was also to be our birding guide the following morning. Andre gave us a couple of tips and some contacts and we headed off towards the Groot Berg River. As we turned onto the main highway a shout from David brought us off the main road and into a short driveway to a field that contained two Blue Cranes – a bird that we particularly enjoyed over the next couple of weeks – these stop and starts were very much a feature of our travelling about - well what does one expect with a crowd of natural history/birdwatchers constantly looking out in all directions as we travelled through the countryside. The Groot Berg River area was excellent with lots of species to identify and enjoy and we also met a local farmer, Jan, who farms salt in the areas set aside as saltpans adjacent to the river– he showed us a Barn Owl nesting site – 6 eggs and 1 chick just hatched (no we didn't go and peer as we did not want to disturb the female) - mind you she did fly out of the nesting box, though was back pretty quickly. It was great seeing both Greater and Lesser Flamingo still around – most have now moved as it is getting late in the season. Plenty of new species enjoyed and it was dusk as we left to head back to Langebaan. Dinner was had in a restaurant on the sea front with Rich Pagen (one of the lecturers from Minerva who had stayed on in S. Africa for a few days birding). 

The following morning (Friday 27^th) we were up bright and early – superb breakfast provided by Magdel and we were then off with Andre on a morning's birding/wildlife watching in the West Coast National Park. Great morning, superb birding and we were also able to see (though couldn't actually get to it, as now a military training camp) the Saldanha Whaling Station that Uncle Ted and Aunt Ory had visited in 1910 – under Constable Mountain. We also had panoramic views over the lagoon and surrounding area from the 'Old House' (Seeberg Farmhouse). Lunchtime it was good-buys to Langebaan and then a bee-line to Stellenbosch where we were staying in the Ryneveld Country Lodge with a booking in the Cognito Restaurant to celebrate Duncan's 40^th and our Ruby wedding anniversary – Great Meal accompanied by some superb local wine – the white: Leopard's Leap, a Chardonnay, and the red: Diemersfontein, a Pinotage. They really complemented the meal – our fortieths celebrations now completed…. 

Saturday 28^th we were back on the road heading for Gansbaai where we were meeting Brummer Oliver – a birding/botany/marine and archaeology guide. We made good time and met Brummer outside the Police Station at lunch-time – he took us onto our next B & B stop, the Aire del Mar in Kleinbaai, run by Zelna and Carol - super place and we were really spoilt. The B & B (www.airedelmar.co.za) looks over the sea and as we were arriving we could see a pod of Common Dolphins following one of the boats that was heading out to Dyer Island (where we went the following day to see Great White Sharks and Cape Fur Seals). Having checked in (we were staying two nights), we headed out with Brummer for the afternoon – a mine of useful information and local knowledge. We spent a great afternoon out in all sorts of habitats – plenty of new sightings and experiences – even visited the home of the chap who set up and owns Marine Dynamics – great birding round his garden. Brummer was able to identify the call of the Cape Turtle Dove for me – it had rung a cord in my mind from my childhood years in the Gold Coast (now Ghana) – of course putting it into words really helped – during the week Cape Turtle Doves call "work harder, work harder, work harder" and at week-ends they call "drink lager, drink lager, drink lager".

Cape Turtle Dove song
Brought Gold Coast memories back
A 'blast' from the past
Week-days constant "work harder"
Changed to week-ends "drink larger".
(cjw 2009)

That evening we had dinner in the harbour area of Gansbaai – watched White-fronted Plover (up to 12) running round the harbour area just under the windows of the restaurant and also saw Water Thick-knee on the slipway, in the car head-lights – well it was a birding/natural history holiday……. 

The following morning we headed to Marine Dynamics for breakfast at 8am. Here we were briefed on our trip out to Dyer Island and what to expect when we cage dived with Great White Sharks. There were at least 18 people on board the boat and just after 9am we were on our way. It was a brilliant morning, quite calm, though the wind did freshen later in the morning. We took with us a young Cape Fur Seal that had been rescued – he was released back at the Dyer Island rookery. Chum was spread out onto the sea from our boat and silhouettes and bait set. It was slow, though we did see one shark for a brief moment. A radio message from another Shark Boat got us on the move and we headed for a different location. Sure enough Great Whites were clearly seen from the boat. Our cage was lowered into the water and the first 6 volunteers entered the cage. I went down in the second group and David and Duncan went down in the third group. Certainly was a fascinating experience – I didn't know where to put my feet or fingers – well inside I can assure you. We were dressed in wet-suits and had weights to help hold us down – however it was quite a job trying to keep the legs and feet down – yes one could link into the bars of the cage, but where were the sharks….. There were loads of Mullet swimming about and when I did get those Great White swim pasts the views were amazing – the eye was about two foot from mine and as for that shark smile!!!! The Great White that did the most swim pasts was a four metre female (well so we were told – they have a photographic catalogue of the sharks that are/were around – fascinating stuff). I did get some photographs from above – however eighteen people plus the four crew did make it quite crowded on board, especially with the other passengers on the boat being quite selfish in that they just pushed in front of one continuously – a bit of a pain (they were young adrenalin-seeking Brits – need I say more). However it was a fascinating experience and I am sure I will live on it for a while to come…  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, though David and Duncan were 'seen off' by the pushers who squeezed in front of them when getting into the cage – not a hectic piece of organising from the crew – and landing up in the third group. That afternoon we headed over to Stanford (some bird-watching over there at sites, indicated to be good, by Brummer – and they were). 

Monday 30^th Brummer met us at breakfast and, after checking out (great place to stay), we followed him inland and over some extensive Finbos (native veldt) and agricultural areas, birding as we went. Late morning we went our separate ways with us heading on towards Cape Agulhas around False Bay (Brummer – thank you so much for all your help – for those wanting a Guide in that part of the world why not contact Brummer on: strandveldATvodamail.co.za ). The day was stunning with superb views of the mountains and coastline.  I was fascinated by the fact that the Leonotis flower trumpet is between 32 and 34mm in length, just right for the Malachite Sunbird to use its bill 32 to 34mm in length to reach the nectar – these little pieces of information just fascinate me (again thank you Brummer). We reached Cape Agulhas - the southern most tip of Africa – for a late lunch (picnic of course). This is where the official dividing line is between the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans. After the obligatory photographs, we then headed for Swellendam – Braeside Guest House, was our night-time stop -and Annie and I had the 'Four Poster' - another first (breakfast the following morning was out on the Veranda – excellent). After dropping our luggage we headed over to the Bontebok National Park – named after the Bontebok Antelopes that are present in the Reserve – it was also here that we saw the Cape Mountain Zebra amongst a host of other wildlife. I had picked up a dose of belly-belly – almost certainly because of my un-intended intake of chum-mixed sea-water when in the cage – mind you, dragging the bait past my nose certainly worked for close sightings of the Great Whites. Anyway it also meant that I had to visit the camping facilities – they were spotless – I really was impressed by how everything was so clean in the places we went – don't get me wrong, we saw plenty of areas near some of the shanty towns that were dreadful eye-sores as well as other litter problems, but by and large, visitor facilities were immaculate. 

The next morning (Tuesday 31^st) we were on our way heading up into (and onto) the Karoo through this most amazing pass – just stunning scenery – and the wildlife wasn't to be sneered at either – we spent a lot of time stopping and starting and just absorbing the ambience of the place – problem with a holiday on the go like this is that one just does not get the time to really absorb the place – it is just a 'taste'. Mind you what a taste. We saw a couple of dead snakes on the road – duly photographed – one was most certainly a Puff Adder – the last one I had seen was in West Africa 55 years ago. The other, subsequently identified by Brummer, was a Spotted or Rhombic Skaapsteker – interesting stuff, I only wishes that I had seen them whilst alive (with due caution, of course). In the late afternoon we came over one of the Mountain Ranges and down into George – what a change in the weather – it was raining, wet, misty and dismal – However we made it safely to Knysna where we were staying at Pumula Lodge. Peter, our host, was a mine of useful information and had us well set up for our 'bird-watching on the balcony before breakfast' as well as the nature rambles the following morning. 

Wednesday 1^st April – no April fools now – we headed out to a Knysna native woodland Reserve – along the coast. We were treated to some good sightings and plenty of sounds we couldn't identify – mind you those Black-headed Orioles sounds – just beautiful…... Also had a look out over the cliffs and could see Whales blowing amongst a massive raft of Cape Gannets – couldn't get a handle on the Whale species though. Sooty Falcon on the cliff was rather nice – first flying, then stooping and then perched on the cliff itself. It was then back to Pumula, collect our bags and we then headed on for Colchester (via Port Elizabeth). Plenty of stop offs here and there to check out sightings with lunch had off the main road near the only Toll that we met in the entire two weeks. We thought that travelling through Port Elizabeth might be a problem – not at all, a very efficient motorway system that made it particularly simple which meant that we arrived at the Happy Jackal in good time. Peter, Liz and Brett were our hosts for the night – the accommodation was a beautifully modern high roofed thatched ceiling room – magical – can't say I slept well as I was waiting to hear the Jackals that frequently cry at night – well I tried and this time failed. 

In the morning (Thursday 2^nd April) it was rather fun watching the Vervet Monkeys playing on the bridge (a disused bridge over a tidal creek at the bottom of the garden). The Happy Jackal is in a stunning location – (the full breakfast included Kudu sausages – excellent) but, like the other places we had visited, it was time to move on. However before departing we headed north from Colchester to another Native Forest Park. Time constraints meant that we only had a couple of hours spare, but we certainly made the most of it. Of course many of the calling birds – were sounds that we were just not familiar with though we made the most of it. And as for the butterflies – we saw more butterflies than we had seen in the previous ten days – what a fabulous display – not that I could put names on most of them – some looked like Monarchs, others like the Ulysses from Australia, there were plenty of different Whites, various Swallowtails – I certainly recognised Painted Lady and the Humming-bird Hawk-moth was very definitely recognisable, though not our species. But it was time to move on to the last of our locations on this 'Taste of South Africa Holiday'. We headed back to the Happy Jackal, collected luggage and then headed inland.  The first part of our journey was on dry red dirt roads – talk about dust – there was a panic with windows whenever a vehicle was seen approaching – the dust got everywhere – but we were getting used to it. By 2pm we had arrived at the Blaauwbosch Game Reserve. The Reserve nestles in the Klein Winterhoek Mountain range of the Karoo Eastern Cape Region. We had kept back the last three days of our break for 'The Safari'. This we organised on the recommendation of Tim (our brother),  and Brenda who visited Blaauwbosch Game Reserve in March 2008.  We were met by the Receptionist/Manageress Tilana, who showed us our rooms and settled us in. Basically it is a very well run open hotel with electric fence round the building grounds. The Reserve itself is 5,500 hectares of Finbos and Mountains – the whole Reserve has a high electrified fence round the perimeter – mind you apparently Leopards get in and out without much trouble – though we didn't actually see this particular large cat. The routine was a Safari in the early morning and late afternoon. This was conducted in an open 4 x 4 Toyota Land Cruiser – there is a seat up front for the Guide/Spotter to sit on (when near Lions our Spotter got into the vehicle). Then there is the front driving (and empty passenger) seat and behind this are three rows of open seats for us observers/gawkers. Safaris commence at 4pm till sundown and 7am until 10am(ish). So at 3pm we went into the main large open restaurant/seating area for refreshments and drinks and then at 4pm our Ranger (allocated to us for the days that we were there) Siphiwo, collected us – we got into the vehicle and headed off out into the Reserve. A great start – just look at the wildlife lists – Siphiwo was/is an excellent guide – he has been working on the Reserve since 2002 and one can see straight away that he loves the Reserve, the animals and is only too delighted to share that passion with anyone that wants to share it with him.  On the first two days we had a family sharing the vehicle with us (from Kent) – Siphiwo was sharing all sorts of stories with the youngsters – excellent stuff. I thoroughly enjoyed the way he shared his knowledge. We also had good fun, particularly on our last day, challenging Siphiwo with the fun of identifying some of the more tricky birds also present on the Reserve. We were delighted when at 7pm we stopped for the 'obligatory' sundown cocktail – what a setting – sunset on the African plains. Out came the front radiator cover, drinks and bites set up and a civilised moment for all. It was then back to the Reserve, clean up and dinner. 

The following morning (Friday 3^rd) there was a knock on our door to make sure we were up at 6.30am – of course we were - even listening to the sounds of dawn - into the Restaurant for early morning tea and biscuits and then off out on Safari around the Reserve. By the time we were back the day was certainly heating up – it was 31C by the early afternoon. The middle of the day was spent quietly as one wanted – I had a look round the grounds, relaxed and enjoyed the ambience of the centre. At 3pm we were back into the Restaurant area for afternoon tea and then we were off out for our late afternoon Safari and, again back for dinner well after dark. Was that a little Ringed Plover at the watering hole – well it sure looked like it, but we could never try and prove it… one that got away… 

Saturday 4^th was basically worked in the same format. The wildlife lists below show the species we enjoyed – finding the Golden Orb Spider just outside our room was rather an interesting extra – I did look for snakes without success and also spent some time trying to photograph some of the butterflies coming into the freshly watered lawns outside. Temperature during the early afternoon reached a 'warm' 34C - and did we have an electrical storm - impressive. It tried to wash us out in the evening, but held off. I also enjoyed trying to photograph the Southern Masked Weavers that were nesting by the pool – one pair certainly had young in the nest as could be seen by the fecal sack being taken from the nest by a female. Another highly successful evening Safari – our dinner main course that night was Gemsbok – a quite excellent meat, melted in the mouth. 

Our last Safari, last morning and last day had arrived. There were just the four of us in the 4 x 4 and Siphiwo had agreed that we would have a real crack at trying to identify some of the birds – we did well with plenty of new species seen and enjoyed. I even got recordings of the Clapper Lark, Bokmakierie and Blue Cranes – a great visit. However our holiday was all but over. We left around 12 noon and as we headed out of the Reserve's front gates – low and behold there was a Secretary Bird walking away across the veldt opposite the Reserve grounds – the one bird that we had all been watching out for and that had, up till then, eluded us. It was just over 100km to Port Elizabeth and the airport – as we entered the City it was incredibly quiet (being Sunday) until we hit the centre when we hit closed roads and diversions – some Ironman TV show was in town - the closed roads and thus traffic chaos was a total pain – reminded me of rush hours at home. However we made it to the airport in plenty of time, checked back the car – we had covered a total of 2603km. Our luggage was checked in – they certainly didn't give one much confidence at the check in desk – "Do make sure all your valuables are out of the cases or they will disappear" – so we made sure and plastic wrapped our cases. Not that it made any difference – our cases did not make Heathrow – (we got in at 7am on the Monday morning) the cases eventually made it home – ours at 11pm on the Thursday night.

Brilliant Holiday, Brilliant Experience – Delightful People met along the way, who really made it for us. As to the wildlife – yes a very respectable sample of the wildlife of 'The Cape' region and definitely a 'Very Real Taste of South Africa'.

Daily Wildlife Lists are shown:

23.03.09: BIRDS: African Penguin; African Darter; Glossy Ibis; African Sacred Ibis; Yellow-billed Egret; Egyptian Goose; Yellow-billed Duck; Common Moorhen; Black-shouldered Kite; Cape Gull; Hartlaub's Gull; Swift Tern; African Black Oystercatcher; Black-winged Stilt; Blacksmith Lapwing; Speckled Pigeon; Barn Swallow; Cape Bulbul; Cape Wagtail; Common Fiscal Shrike; Red-winged Starling; European Starling; House Crow. OTHER: Cicadas. 

24.03.09: BIRDS: Common Ostrich; African Penguin; Cape Gannet; Cape Cormorant; Peregrine Falcon; Helmeted Guineafowl;  Cape Gull; Hartlaub's Gull; Swift Tern; Common Tern; Sandwich Tern; Speckled Pigeon; African Black Oystercatcher; Pied Kingfisher; Red-eyed Dove; Rock Martin; Cape Wagtail; Sentinel Rock Thrush; Orange-breasted Sunbird; Cape Bulbul; Cape White-eye; Karoo Prinia; Cape Sugarbird; Cape Grassbird; Cape Longclaw; Common Fiscal Shrike; Red-winged Starling; House Sparrow; Cape Bunting; Pied Crow. MAMMALS: Chacma Baboon; Three-striped Mouse; Eland; Rock Hyrax; Cape Fur Seal. OTHERS: Cape Crag Lizard; Cicadas.

25.03.09: BIRDS: African Penguin; Great Crested Grebe; Little Grebe; Hadeda Ibis; African Spoonbill; Great White Pelican; Grey Heron; Black-crowned Night-heron; Purple Heron; Little Egret; Yellow-billed Egret; Cape Cormorant; Crowned Cormorant; White-breasted Cormorant; Reed Cormorant; African Darter; Egyptian Goose; Spur-winged Goose; Yellow-billed Duck; Purple Gallinule; Common Moorhen; Red-knobbed Coot; Cape Francolin; Helmeted Guineafowl; Black-shouldered Kite; Hartlaub's Gull; Caspian Tern; Three-banded Plover; African Snipe; Blacksmith Lapwing; Spotted Eagle-Owl; Cape Turtle Dove; Red-eyed Dove; Laughing Dove; Feral Pigeon; Pied Kingfisher; Malachite Kingfisher; Black Saw-wing Swallow; Barn Swallow; White-throated Swallow; Sombre Greenbul; Southern Boubou; Southern Double-collared Sunbird; Orange-breasted Sunbird; Malachite Sunbird; Cape White-eye; Cape Robin; Cape Batis; Olive Thrush; Dusky Flycatcher; Cape Sugarbird; Cape Canary; Swee Waxbill; Karoo Prinia; Grey-backed Cisticola; Lesser Swamp-warbler; Little Rush Warbler (H); Cape Weaver; European Chaffinch; Red-winged Starling; European Starling; House Sparrow; Pied Crow; White-necked Raven. MAMMAL: Three-striped Mouse. OTHERS: Citrus Swallowtail; Cicadas. 

26.03.09: BIRDS: Common Ostrich; African Penguin; African Darter; Great White Pelican; Southern Black Korhaan; Sacred Ibis; Greater Flamingo; Lesser Flamingo; Blue Crane; Grey Heron; Yellow-billed Egret; Little Egret; Cattle Egret; Cape Cormorant; White-breasted Cormorant; Reed Cormorant; Spur-winged Goose; Egyptian Goose; Cape Shoveler; Cape Teal; Mallard; Yellow-billed Duck; Red-knobbed Coot; Cape Francolin; African Marsh Harrier; African Lesser Kestrel; Black-shouldered Kite; Steppe Buzzard; Black Harrier; Cape Gull; Hartlaub's Gull; Swift Tern; Caspian Tern; Common Tern; Sandwich Tern; African Oystercatcher; Kittlitz's Plover; Grey Plover; Little Stint; Spotted Thick-knee; Blacksmith Lapwing; Crowned Lapwing; Black-winged Stilt; Greenshank; Speckled Pigeon; Laughing Dove; Barn Swallow; Cape Longclaw; African Pipit; Barn Owl; Southern Double-collared Sunbird; Acacia Pied Barbet; Karoo Scrub-robin; Common Waxbill; Cape Weaver; African Stonechat; Pied Kingfisher; Capped Wheatear; Bokmakierie; Common Fiscal Shrike; Large-billed Lark; Red-capped Lark; Cape Wagtail; Grey-backed Cisticola; Levaillant's Cisticola; Zitting Cisticola; Cape Sparrow; House Sparrow; European Starling; African Pied Starling; Red-winged Starling; Pied Crow; White-necked Raven. MAMMALS: Cape Mountain Zebra; Springbok; Steenbok; Cape Hare. OTHER: Cicadas.

27.03.09: BIRDS: Common Ostrich (+Leucistic bird); Little Grebe; Great White Pelican; African Spoonbill; African Sacred Ibis; Grey Heron; Black-headed Heron; Little Egret; Southern Black Korhaan; Cape Cormorant; White-breasted Cormorant; Egyptian Goose; Cape Teal; Yellow-billed Duck; Cape Teal; African Shelduck; Red-knobbed Coot; Common Moorhen; Helmeted Guineafowl; Cape Francolin; Grey-winged Francolin; Verreaux's Eagle; Black Harrier; Black-shouldered Kite; Rock Kestrel; Steppe Buzzard; Black Sparrowhawk; Cape Gull; Hartlaub's Gull; Common Tern; Blacksmith Lapwing; Three-banded Plover; Kittlitz's Plover; Grey Plover; Chestnut-banded Plover; Whimbrel; Greenshank; Ringed Plover; White-fronted Plover; Sanderling; Black-winged Stilt; African Black Oystercatcher; Blacksmith Lapwing; Curlew Sandpiper; Speckled Pigeon; Cape Turtle Dove; Laughing Dove; Feral Pigeon; African Black Swift; Little Swift; African Hoopoe; African Stonechat; Barn Swallow; Banded Martin;  Brown-throated Martin; Yellow Bishop; Cape Longclaw; Fiscal Flycatcher; Cape Bulbul; White-backed Mousebird; Bar-throated Apalis; Acacia Pied Barbet; Cape Robin-chat; Karoo Scrub-robin; Southern Double-collared Sunbird; Common Fiscal Shrike; Grey-backed Cisticola; Levaillant's Cisticola; Karoo Prinia; Cape Wagtail; Bokmakierie; Cape Weaver; Yellow Canary; Cape Bunting; Cape Sparrow; House Sparrow; European Starling; Pied Starling; Pied Crow; White-necked Raven. MAMMALS: Rock Hyrax; Water Mongoose; Three-striped Mouse; Karoo Bush Rat; Duiker; Eland. OTHERS: Cicadas; Cape Mistletoe.

28.03.09: BIRDS: Cape Gannet; African Spoonbill; Cattle Egret; Little Egret; Grey Heron; Black-headed Heron; African Sacred Ibis; Hadeda Ibis; White-fronted Cormorant; Cape Cormorant; Crowned Cormorant; Egyptian Goose; Cape Francolin; Jackal Buzzard; Steppe Buzzard; Black-shouldered Kite; Cape Gull; Hartlaub's Gull; Swift Tern; Turnstone; African Black Oystercatcher; Common Sandpiper; Curlew Sandpiper; Water Thick-knee; Black-winged Stilt; Blacksmith Lapwing; White-fronted Plover; Whimbrel; Laughing Dove; Speckled Pigeon; Cape Turtle Dove; Southern Tchagra; Neisner Woodpecker; African Black Swift; White-rumped Swift; Little Swift; Greater-striped Swallow; Pearl-breasted Swallow; Brown-throated Martin; Rock Martin; Barn Swallow; Fiscal Flycatcher; Common Fiscal Shrike; Malachite Sunbird; Lesser Double-breasted Sunbird; Cape Sugarbird; Grey-backed Cisticola; Cape Bulbul; Sombre Greenbul; Southern Boubou; Karoo Prinia; Fork-tailed Drongo; Yellow Bishop; Cape Rock Thrush; Bokmakierie; Red-faced Mousebird; Brimstone Canary; Cape Wagtail; Cape Weaver; Bar-throated Apalis; Speckled Mousebird; Pin-tailed Whydah; Cape Robin-chat; Southern Grey-headed Sparrow; House Sparrow; Common Starling; Red-winged Starling; White-necked Raven. MAMMALS: Chacma Baboon; Common Dolphin; Grey Mongoose. OTHERS: Marsh Terrapin; Cicadas.

29.03.09: BIRDS: African Penguin; Sooty Shearwater; White-chinned Petrel Giant Petrel; Cape Gannet; Hadeda Ibis; Cattle Egret; Purple Heron; Bank Cormorant; Reed Cormorant; White-fronted Cormorant; African Darter; Yellow-billed Duck; Common Moorhen; Red-knobbed Coot; Cape Francolin; Black-shouldered Kite; African Black Oystercatcher; Sub-Antarctic Brown Skua; Swift Tern; Common Tern; Blacksmith Lapwing; Cape Turtle Dove; Speckled Pigeon; Laughing Dove; Rock Martin; Cape Siskin; Fiscal Flycatcher; African Paradise Flycatcher; Cape Bulbul; Sombre Greenbul; Olive Thrush; Lesser Double-collared Sunbird; Fork-tailed Drongo; Levaillant's Cisticola; Common Waxbill; Cape Wagtail; Cape Canary; Cape Batis; Willow Warbler; Cape White-eye; Cape Weaver; Bar-throated Apalis; Common Starling. MAMMAL: Cape Fur Seal. OTHERS: Great White Shark (2 x 4m & 1 x 2.5m); Mullet; Cicadas. 

30.03.09: BIRDS: Cape Gannet African Sacred Ibis; Hadeda Ibis; Blue Crane; Denham's Bustard; Black-headed Heron; Grey Heron; African Darter; Cape Cormorant; Spur-winged Goose; Egyptian Goose; Helmeted Guineafowl; Cape Francolin; Steppe Buzzard; Jackal Buzzard; African Fish Eagle; Black Harrier; Rock Kestrel; Black-shouldered Kite; Cape Gull; Hartlaub's Gull; Blacksmith Lapwing; Kittlitz's Plover; Crowned Lapwing; African Black Oystercatcher; Speckled Pigeon; Cape Turtle Dove; White-rumped Swift; Capped Wheatear; Bokmakierie; Greater-striped Swallow; African Hoopoe; Red-capped Lark; Thick-billed Lark; Cape Robin-chat; Common Fiscal Shrike; African Stonechat; Barn Swallow; Rock Martin; White-throated Swallow; Bar-throated Apalis; Fiscal Flycatcher; Cape Canary; Yellow Canary; Cape Wagtail; Yellow Bishop; Lesser Double-collared Sunbird; Grey-backed Cisticola; Zitting Cisticola; Southern Boubou; Cape Bulbul; Streaky-headed Seed-eater; Cape White-eye; Cape Sparrow; House Sparrow; Pied Starling; European Starling; Cape Crow; Pied Crow; White-necked Raven. MAMMALS: Red Hartebeest; Cape Mountain Zebra; Springbok; Grey Reedbuck; Bontebok. OTHERS: Locust sp.; Cicadas.

31.03.09: BIRDS:; Reed Cormorant; Cattle Egret; African Sacred Ibis; Black Stork; Cape Teal; African Shelduck; Steppe Buzzard; Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk; Rufus-chested Sparrowhawk; Black-shouldered Kite; African Olive Pigeon; Black-winged Stilt; African Black Swift; Little Swift; Cape Bulbul; Southern Boubou; Malecite Sunbird; Lesser Double-collared Sunbird; Cape Rock Thrush; Yellow Bishop; Common Fiscal Shrike; Fiscal Flycatcher; Malachite Kingfisher; Ground Woodpecker; Red-capped Lark. Rock Martin; Speckled Mousebird; White-backed Mousebird; Greater-striped Swallow; Cape Wagtail; Cape Robin-chat; Karoo Chat; Familiar Chat; Cape White-eye; Cape Sparrow; Streaky-headed Seed-eater; Red-winged Starling; Pied Starling; Cape Crow; Pied Crow; White-necked Raven. MAMMALS: Grey Mongoose; Rock Hyrax; Mountain Reedbuck. OTHERS:  Puff Adder (dead); Spotted Skaapsteker (dead). 

01.04.09: BIRDS: Cape Gannet; White Stork; Cattle Egret; Black-headed Heron; African Sacred Ibis; Hadeda Ibis; Denham's Bustard; African Darter; White-fronted Cormorant; Egyptian Goose; Red-billed Teal; Mallard; Yellow-billed Duck; Helmeted Guineafowl; Steppe Buzzard; Sooty Falcon; Cape Gull; Blacksmith Lapwing; Spotted Thick-knee; Black-winged Stilt; African Black Oystercatcher;; African Black Swift; Red-eyed Dove; Cape Turtle Dove; Olive Woodpecker; Narina Trogon; Knysna Turaco; Black-headed Oriole; Dusky Flycatcher; Cape White-eye; Cape Batis; Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler; Black-backed Puffback; Lesser Double-collared Sunbird; Greater-collared Sunbird; Amethyst Sunbird; Common Fiscal Shrike; Sombre Greenbul; Terrestrial Brownbul; Fork-tailed Drongo; Cape Weaver; Streaky-headed Seed-eater; Pied Starling; Red-winged Starling; Cape Sparrow; Grey-headed Sparrow; White-throated Raven. MAMMAL: Whale sp..

02.04.09: BIRDS: Hadeda Ibis; Black-headed Heron; Grey Heron; Little Egret; Blue Crane; Reed Cormorant; White-fronted Cormorant; Kori Bustard; Jackal Buzzard; African Harrier Hawk; Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk; Cape Gull; Caspian Tern; Blacksmith Lapwing; Speckled Pigeon; Cape Turtle Dove; Laughing Dove; Knysna Turaco; Brown-headed Kingfisher; Pied Kingfisher; Black-headed Oriole; Common Fiscal Shrike; Greater-striped Swallow; Barn Swallow; Brown-throated Martin; Collared Sunbird; Cape White-eye; Cape Batis; Bar-throated Apalis; Fork-tailed Drongo; Red-faced Mousebird; Cape Bulbul; Bokmakierie; Southern Masked Weaver; Dark-backed Weaver; Cape Weaver; Anteating Chat; Cape Wagtail; Cape Sparrow; Pied Starling; Common Starling; Cape Glossy Starling; Cape Crow; White-throated Raven. MAMMALS: Vervet Monkey; Meerkat; Nyala; Yellow Mongoose; Gemsbok; Lion; Kudu; Red Hartebeest; Steenbok; Black Wildebeest; Burchell's Zebra; Impala; Cheetah; Rock Hyrax. OTHER: Painted lady; Humming-bird Hawk-moth. 

03.04.09: BIRDS: Kori Bustard; Blue Crane; African Shelduck; Jackal Buzzard; Verreaux's Eagle; Spotted Thick-knee; Fiery-necked Nightjar; Ground Woodpecker; Cape Turtle Dove; Mountain Wheatear; Greater-striped Swallow; Rock Martin; Green Wood-hoopoe; Red-faced Mousebird; Speckled Mousebird; Common Fiscal Shrike; Fiscal Flycatcher. Anteating Chat; Familiar Chat; Karoo Scrub-robin; Cape Wagtail; Yellow-fronted Canary; Southern Masked Weaver; Dusky Indigobird; African Firefinch; Cape Sparrow; Cape Glossy Starling; Pied Crow; Cape Crow; White-necked Raven. MAMMALS: Waterbuck; Vervet Monkey; Rock Hyrax; Impala; Burchell's Zebra; Kudu; Nyala; Porcupine; Eland; Giraffe; Black Wildebeest; White Rhinoceros; Steenbok; Buffalo; Leopard Tortoise; Cheetah; African Elephant; Large Spotted Genet; Bat sp.. OTHER: African Small Copper; African Monarch.

04.04.09: BIRDS: Hadeda Ibis; African Sacred Ibis; Helmeted Guineafowl; Lanner Falcon; African Harrier Hawk; Three-banded Plover; Cape Turtle Dove; Laughing Dove; Brown Kingfisher; Cardinal Woodpecker; African Hoopoe; Barn Swallow; Greater-striped Swallow; Common Fiscal Shrike; Karoo Scrub-robin; Anteating Chat; Familiar Chat; Red-faced Mousebird; Speckled Mousebird; Bokmakierie; Cape Rock Thrush; Fork-tailed Drongo; Southern Masked Weaver; Cinnamon-breasted Bunting; Cape Sparrow; Cape Glossy Starling; Red-winged Starling; Cape Crow; MAMMALS: Impala; Burchell's Zebra; Gemsbok; Springbok; Black Wildebeest; Eland; Mountain Reedbuck;  Rock Hyrax; Vervet Monkey; White Rhinoceros; Lion; Giraffe; Steenbok; Buffalo; Leopard Tortoise; Red Hartebeest. OTHER: Preying Mantis; Golden Orb Spider.

05.04.09: BIRDS: Secretary Bird. Blue Crane; Kori Bustard; Ludwig's Bustard; Hadeda Ibis; Verreaux's Eagle; Cape Turtle Dove; Feral Pigeon; Alpine Swift; African Black Swift; Ground Woodpecker; Eastern Clapper Lark; Sabota Lark; Long-billed Pipit; Greater-striped Swallow; Barn Swallow; Karoo Prinia; Acacia Pied Barbet; Common Fiscal Shrike Chestnut-vented Tit Babbler; Bokmakierie; Anteating Chat; Fiscal Flycatcher; Lazy Cisticola; Familiar Chat; Karoo Scrub-robin; Fork-tailed Drongo; Speckled Mousebird; Mountain Wheatear; Cape Bulbul; Southern Boubou; Cape Wagtail; Southern Masked Weaver; African Firefinch; Cape Canary; Cinnamon-breasted Bunting; Dusky Indigobird; Cape Sparrow; Pied Starling; Pied Crow; White-necked Raven. MAMMALS: Black Wildebeest; Burchell's Zebra; Kudu; Meerkat; Vervet Monkey; Red Hartebeest; Steenbok; Yellow Mongoose; Waterbuck; Rock Hyrax; Impala. OTHER: Leopard Tortoise.