Just after a left-hand bend in the road a few hundred metres further on, stop and listen for the repetitive, jumbled song of Fawn-coloured Lark, with calling males often perching on roadside bushes. Cultivated lands on the right a little further on may produce flocks of both Chestnut-backed and Grey-backed Sparrow-lark in summer, while displaying Melodious Larks may also be encountered over areas of grassland in the vicinity. Small numbers of migrant Lesser Kestrels and Amur Falcons often perch on roadside poles and power lines in between bouts of foraging over the grassland. Follow this gravel road until reaching the entrance to the farm Hagesdam on the left (signposted “Hagesdam – George Fourie”: -29.357778, 25.779914).

African Rock Pipit can be common on rocky hillsides and the distinctive phrases of calling males are most frequently heard in early mornings during summer, when birds may be seen perched on a prominent rock or bush. During winter, birds are less vocal and thus more difficult to find. Other species found in the hilly areas include Layard’s Tit-babbler (Warbler), Short-toed Rock Thrush and Grey-backed Cisticola. Fairy Flycatcher, Namaqua Dove, Cape and Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, as well as Ashy Tit are also common. Grey Tit has also been observed in the area, as has Eastern Long-billed Lark – listen for the characteristic descending whistled call of this species.

Grasslands and areas with low karroid shrubs and patches of bare soil search are good for Sickle-winged Chat (winter months), Spike-heeled, Red-capped and Large-billed Lark as well as Double-banded, Temminck’s and Burchell’s Courser (the last being the rarest). In some areas with sandy red soils, Fawn-coloured Lark and Kalahari Scrub-robin are common. Lark-like Bunting and Black-headed Canary are present from time to time, attracted mainly to water troughs and reservoirs with seeping water – if lucky White-throated Canary may also be seen at water points. Raptors such as Secretarybird (breeding), Jackal Buzzard and Black Harrier are also encountered. Rare sightings have been obtained of Verreaux’s and Martial Eagle and Black-chested Snake Eagle.

Birding along the gravel S581 en route to Tafelkop is highly recommended, as most of the pipits, larks and other species of interest may be observed from the roadside. A stop at a slight bend in the stretch of road (-29.327042, 25.649292) directly opposite Tafelkop often produces a pair of Blue Crane in short grassland just to the east of the road, while Blue and Northern Black Korhaan are resident here. Temminck’s and Burchell’s Courser are usually encountered. Pink-billed Lark is also frequently seen and heard along this stretch, with birds often taking off from the road only to land a short distance further along. Yellow-bellied Eremomela may be found foraging in small roadside bushes, where this species has also been found breeding.

Key species:

Fawn-coloured Lark, Grey-backed Sparrow-Lark, Melodious Lark, African Rock Pipit, Layard’s Tit-babbler (Warbler), Short-toed Rock Thrush, Grey-backed Cisticola, Ashy Tit, Double-banded Courser and Secretarybird