Western Cape – VanWyksdorp and Surrounding Areas
About the Birding
To date, 207 different bird species have been recorded in the area surrounding VanWyksdorp.
The VanWyksdorp area provides for great opportunity to view many of the Klein Karoo special bird species in the variety of different habitats on offer. The vegetation in the areas surrounding VanWyksdorp varies from succulent Klein Karoo habitats, mountain Fynbos, dense lowland shrubbery along drainage lines, Acacia thickets, Renosterveld, montane hillsides, Protea covered slopes and other. Birding is quite diverse in the different habitat zones.
About the Birding Site
The area surrounding VanWyksdorp is dominated by intensely developed agricultural fields and the Rooiberg (Red Mountain) Mountain Range to its north and the Klein Karoo plains to the south.
Birding in the areas surrounding VanWyksdorp is discussed in three different sections hereafter, namely:
• Moose Valley Weir on the Grootrivier
• Rooiberg Pass
• Paardebont Road
Birding along the district gravel roads in the area is rewarding but the area can become very hot and dry during the summer months. Under such conditions, the roads are very dusty and often badly corrugated.
The very steep gravel sections on the Rooiberg Pass can become impassable following heavy storms and the causeway across the Gourits River on the Paardebont Road can easily be flooded during the rainy season. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended for most drives in this area. It is also recommended that crossing of the Gourits River Causeway should be avoided when the causeway is flooded.
Other Related Information
Recommended accommodation nearby:
There are several guesthouses offering farm stays on farms or nature lodges surrounding VanWyksdorp or in the town itself as well as other accommodation types in the area which are available through the normal accommodation booking sites.
Local guide information:
There are no community bird guides available for this area.
Text prepared by:
Francois Furstenburg
Key species:
Denham’s Bustard, Verreaux’s-, Booted- & Martial Eagles, African Harrier-hawk, Pale Chanting Goshawk, African Fish Eagle, Rock Kestrel, Karoo- & Southern Black Korhaans, Fynbos Buttonquail, Common Quail, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Karoo-, Red-capped- & Karoo Long-billed Larks, Karoo- & Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Cape Grassbird, Cape Sugarbird, Dusky- & Orange-breasted Sunbirds, Chestnut-vented- & Layard’s Warblers, Grey- & Cape Penduline Tits, Protea Canary, Cape Siskin, and Lark-like Bunting.
Contact details:
VanWyksdorp Tourism:
Tel: 064 664 8226
Email: info@vanwyksdorptourism.com
Permits:
No permits are required for these areas.