Amathole Mountains Route – Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve
About the Birding
Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve covers an area of roughly 2 136 hectares, supporting large areas of intact montane grassland and indigenous forest. Some 175 bird species have been reported from the park though there are several notable differences with other birding sites on the Amathole Mountains Route. Cape Parrot, for example, is only rarely reported whereas both Orange Ground Thrush and Bush Blackcap appear more common.
About the Birding Site
The Amathola Mountain range consists of a series of montane forest blocks, including several State forests, the Mpofu and Fort Fordyce nature reserves, surrounding fragmented urban and rural areas and montane grassland. The forest complex runs from Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve and Katberg State Forest in the west to Kologha State Forest and Fort Cunningham in the east and includes large State-owned forest blocks such as Katberg State Forest, Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve, …
Other Related Information
Directions:
Fort Forydce Nature Reserve is set near the little community of Blinkwater on the Post Retief road roughly equidistant between the villages of Adelaide and Fort Beaufort. Access is strictly for 4×4 vehicles only, as road conditions are variable.
Notable points of interest include:
Baddaford farm stall: -32.7339, 26.5771
Fort Fordyce entrance: -32.7158, 26.5869
Fort Fordyce main reception: -32.6799, 26.4890
Key species:
Orange Ground Thrush, Bush Blackcap, Chorister Robin-chat, Forest Buzzard
Contact details:
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency
17-25 Oxford Street
East London CBD
Tel: +27 (0)43 492 0081
Email: info@ecpta.co.za
Reserve contact details:
Office: +27 (0)46 684 0729
Reserve manager: +27 (0)79 496 7818