Clarens Kloof Dam (-28.517833, 28.405972) can be good for Lesser Swamp Warbler, nesting Cape Weaver and Southern Red Bishop (summer), White-throated Swallow (summer) and Red-knobbed Coot amongst others. There are also trails radiating to/from this dam to other parts of town.

In the open grasslands and ouhout scrub above Clarens (-28.521444, 28.408528) one can see Wing-snapping Cisticola, Cape Grassbird, Cape Bunting, Wailing Cisticola, Karoo Prinia, Bokmakierie, Pied Starling, and Neddicky.

Typical birds around town include Black-collared Barbet, Streaky-headed Seedeater, Speckled Pigeon, Southern Fiscal, Crested Barbet, Cape Canary, Cape White-eye, African Hoopoe, African Harrier-Hawk, Karoo Thrush, Klaas’s Cuckoo (summer), Cape Robin Chat, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Lesser Honeyguide, Pin-tailed Whydah, Southern Boubou, Red-throated Wryneck, Cape Weaver, Amethyst Sunbird and Spotted Eagle-owl often heard at night. Alpine Swift, African Black Swift, White-rumped Swift (summer), Jackal Buzzard, Long-crested Eagle and White-necked Raven are often seen overhead. Southern Bald Ibis can also be seen flying over town or feeding in open areas at the Clarens Golf Course.

The drive out to the bridge over the Little Caledon River is very good for birds too. One initially passes Townlands Dam (-28.525333, 28.433861) and nearby sewage works settling ponds (-28.523806, 28.430722) and these sites often yield African Sacred Ibis, Blacksmith Lapwing, Yellow-billed Duck, Cape Wagtail, African Reed Warbler (summer), Red-knobbed Coot, Reed Cormorant, Little Grebe, Giant Kingfisher and Common Waxbill.

The road also passes a distinct rocky area (-28.529472, 28.435306) where Mountain Wheatear is often seen. Stop here (-28.537000, 28.439806) and walk back towards the bridge over the Little Caledon River. In this area may see Black Sparrowhawk, Willow Warbler (summer), Red-collared Widowbird, Cape Grassbird, Swainson’s Spurfowl, Levaillant’s Cisticola and Karoo Prinia.

Key species:

Wailing Cisticola, Cape Batis, African Dusky Flycatcher, Cape Grassbird, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Pied Starling, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Karoo Thrush, African Black Swift, Cape Bunting