Bird watching in Gouritsmond Bird watching in Gouritsmond Some people chase only after the Big 5 and are not interested in the rest of our wonderful wildlife heritage. What a waste! Why not give birding a shot? Many different kinds of birds have been identified in and around Gouritsmond Gouritsmond has a lot to offer to bird watchers. Apart from the usual kinds of ocean- and inland water birds, there are African Fish eagles, secretary birds and blue cranes. At night one can listen to the calls of the Fiery-necked Nightjar and the Commando birds. The cries of the Crowned Plovers will warn you of any movement in the vicinity. By day there is a large variety of terrestrial birds to be seen, in all shapes and sizes. Please take special care while you walk along the beach not to step on or disturb any eggs found on the sand - they might well belong to The African Black Oystercatcher, (Haematopus moquini,) a highly endangered bird. This is the only species of oystercatcher that breeds in Africa, they mate for life - some pairs are known to have been together for nearly 20 years. They may well live for 35 years or more and do not breed for the first time until they are three of four years old. The world population is less than 5 000 individuals and is confined to the shorelines, estuaries and lagoons of South Africa and Namibia. More than 75% of the population is in South Africa and it is South Africa’s rarest endemic coastal bird. It is on the International Red Data list as a threatened species. 233 bird species have been identified in and around Gouritsmond. Lists are available at the Gouritsmond Tourism office or your Tourism Officer, Anna-Marie vd Merwe / 084 618 8025.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Oct 2013 09:17:05 +0000
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