Greater Mossel Bay – Vleesbaai route

About the Birding

Vleesbaai route – starts at the N2 turnoff near PetroSA (-34.1791, 21.9606), towards Vleesbaai / Gouritsmond. This route starts from the N2 and finishes in the small town of Gouritsmond. The farmlands 300m south of the N2 will yield Agulhas Long-billed Lark, Large-billed Lark, Red-capped Lark, Zitting Cisticola and Cloud Cisticola. Further down this road you will also find Grey-backed Cisticola, Karoo Prinia, Capped Wheatear, Grey-winged Francolin and Cape Clapper Lark.

Around the 19km mark you will have a turn towards your left that will cross the Gourits River. Before, on and over the Gourits Bridge you can look for Pied Starling, African Fish Eagle, Knysna Woodpecker and Greater Honeyguide.

Roughly 4km from the Gourits Bridge you will find the R325 on which you turn left towards Gouritsmond (-34.3109, 21.8133). Along the R325 towards Gouritsmond you will find Cape Sugarbird, Karoo Prinia, Grey-backed Cisticola, Cape Grassbird, Grey Tit, Cape Bunting, Cape Bulbul and Southern Tchagra. In and around the town you can look out for Black Harrier. The Gourits river mouth is a good spot (especially in the summer months) for various waders such as Grey Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone, Kittlitz’s Plover, Common Ringed Plover and more.

Key species:

Black Harrier, Grey-winged Francolin, Agulhas Long-billed Lark, Cape Clapper Lark, Victorin’s Warbler, Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Rockjumper, Knysna Warbler, Knysna Woodpecker

About the Birding Site

The Greater Mossel Bay is situated on the far western half of the Garden Route. The various habitats within the greater Mossel Bay area makes for a rich birding experience. The aforementioned habitats include Coastal waters, Estuaries & Freshwater bodies, Farmlands & Agulhas plains, Forest & Forest edge, and Fynbos.

Key species:

Black Harrier, Grey-winged Francolin, Agulhas Long-billed Lark, Cape Clapper Lark, Victorin’s Warbler, Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Rockjumper, Knysna Warbler, Knysna Woodpecker

Other Related Information

Recommended accommodation nearby:
There is a good variety of accommodation available in the Greater Mossel Bay area.

Local guide information:
No BirdLife South Africa Birder Friendly tour operators in the area.
Rudi Minnie
Cell: +27 (0)72 837 0242
Email: rudi.minnie@gmail.com

Other related information:

Text prepared by:
Rudi Minnie

Key species:

Black Harrier, Grey-winged Francolin, Agulhas Long-billed Lark, Cape Clapper Lark, Victorin’s Warbler, Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Rockjumper, Knysna Warbler, Knysna Woodpecker

Contact details:

N/A