Western Cape – Riversdale Birding Sites
About the Birding
Birding in the area is mainly focussed in either the cultivated areas or alternatively in the Langeberg Mountain range foothills and kloofs.
The following are considered to present the best birding areas in the cultivated zone, namely:
- Klein Kruisrivier vleys
- Novo Road (small district road to the east of the R323 road to Garcia Pass and Ladismith
- District roads to Albertinia and Herbertsdale
Birding in the Langeberg Mountain foothills is discussed under different pins on the GoBirding website. Garcia Pass, and the associated Langeberg Hiking Trails are detailed in the pin for Garcia Pass on the GoBirding website, whilst the Korentepoort Dam and the northernmost link road between Riversdale and Heidelberg are included and detailed in the Gysmanshoek Pass pin on the website.
About the Birding Site
Riversdale is located on the N2 highway between Swellendam and Mosselbay. Riversdale is surrounded by cultivated areas, the upper reaches of the Goukou River (Kruisrivier Valley) which forms excellent marshes and vleys where good birding can be conducted all year round as well as the foothills of the Langeberg Mountain Range to the North with the associated wooded kloofs, fynbos and protea habitats on especially the south facing mountain slopes. Riversdale is also in easy reach of Klein Karoo birding destinations that lie on the northern side of the Langeberg Mountain range.
To date 168 different bird species have been recorded in the area surrounding Riversdale. A typical 2 to 3-hour visit in summer to this area will likely yield between 90 and 100 bird species.
Other Related Information
Recommended accommodation nearby:
There are several guesthouses on the farms in the area between Riversdale and Herbertsdale, or near Albertinia, as well as other accommodation types which are available through booking sites. Currently, there are no Birder Friendly Establishments listed for this area.
Local guide information:
There are no community bird guides available for this area
Text prepared by:
Francois Furstenburg
Key species:
African Spoonbill, Agulhas Long-billed-, Red-capped and Large-billed Larks, Cape Longclaw, Common Quail, Booted Eagle, Olive Thrush, Cape Sugarbird, African-, and Plain-backed Pipits, Blue Crane, and Denham’s Bustard
Contact details:
Riversdale Birding Areas
Hessequa Tourism:
Tel: +27 (0)28 713 7953
Email: info@explorersgardenroute.co.za
Francois Furstenburg:
Cell phone: +27 (0)82 578 6933
Email: ffur@icloud.com