Greater Plettenberg Bay – Uplands Farmlands

About the Birding

A drive North on the R340 towards Plettenberg Game Reserve (-takes you up into a drier, more grassland and mixed farmland habitat. Jackal and Forest Buzzard are around along with Common Buzzard, European Roller and Amur Falcon in late summer. Denham’s Bustard, Secretary Bird, White Stork (in summer) and Crowned Lapwing are sometimes seen in the fields. The fields with shorter grass can be good for Black-winged Lapwing.

Down the Uplands gravel road, passing BellaManga Country Escape, look out for Bokmakerie and Golden-breasted Bunting. The Wing-snapping and Grey-backed Cisticola are heard and seen in the roadside thickets.

At the forest ravine section further along this road, you may be lucky with Narina Trogon, Grey Cuckooshrike, Knysna Turaco Olive Bush-shrike, Black Saw-wing and Blue-Mantled-Crested Flycatcher.

Key species:

Knysna Warbler, Victorin’s Warbler, Knysna Turaco, Knysna Woodpecker, African Rail, Red-chested Flufftail, Glossy Ibis, Cape Siskin, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Karoo Prinia

About the Birding Site

The dry grassland found near the Uplands Road is rare in the Garden Route, and many species found here are difficult to find elsewhere in the Western Cape. A forested section of the road also offers a bit more variety to the birding here. Up to 60 species are possible on a summer’s morning.

Other Related Information

Uplands Farmlands GPS coordinates: -33.9518, 23.3311

Recommended accommodation nearby:
There is a wide range of accommodation available in the Greater Plettenberg Bay area.

Other related information:

Local guide information:
No BirdLife South Africa recognised Birder Friendly tour operators in the area.
Ian Pletzer
Cell: +27 (0)83 357 5267
Email: Pletzer.Ian@gmail.com

Text prepared by:
Ian Pletzer, BirdwatchPlett & Outeniqua Birding

Key species:

Denhams Bustard, Black-winged Lapwing, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Wailing Cisticola, Narina Trogon, Grey Cuckooshrike, Knysna Turaco, White-starred Robin, Olive Bushshrike, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher

Contact details:

N/A