The Agulhas Plain is a renowned birding destination.
According to the Agulhas Plains Birding Project, the Plain is home to more than 300 species – as recorded on the project list. And every year more species are added.
You are here: BIRDING
The Black Oystercatcher Wine Farm itself is home to a number of these bird species.
Birders found the Red-chested Flufftail close to the Waskraalvlei on the Black Oystercatcher farm. The wetland is also home to an increasing number of African Marsh Harriers, believed to be moving back to the area because of the invasive alien clearing work taking place on the Plain. Other species that occur on the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area (of which the Black Oystercatcher is a member) and surrounds include Fynbos Buttonquail, Maccoa Duck, Secretary Bird, Denham’s Bustard, African Grass Owl and Agulhas Long-billed Lark, while more uncommon sighting include Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Montagu’s Harrier, Amur Falcon and Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk.
The Agulhas Plains Birding Project has also recorded Southern Black Korhaan.
These birds used to occur frequently in the area, but had all but disappeared in recent years. Currently the NWSMA is undertaking research to better understand the presence of these special birds.
The Black Oystercatcher region is also well-known as a birding destination for those looking for LBJ’s (known as Little Brown Jobs), such as the larks, cisticolas, reed-warblers and pipits. Experts were also excited about the Lark-like Bunting and the Tambourine- and Lemon Dove (the latter two were only heard in the region).
Birdwatching on our #waterscapes: wetlands, dams and the ocean
There have been some amazing #birdsightings at Waskraalvlei and surrounding wetlands over the years.
But some of our favourites include Yellow-billed Stork and Goliath Heron – the latter was recorded on six occasions in the past five years. The African Marsh Harrier, which is regionally Endangered, is often seen here.
Your big birding year? You’ll tick off a couple of pretty special bird species at our vineyard #waterscape.
There are resident Fish Eagles, Spoonbills, loads of Ducks (like Black Duck), a range of Teals and Plovers, like the Three-banded Plover and Kittlitz’s Plover and you may even spot a Kingfisher or two.
Bring along your binoculars to get up close and personal with some of the bird species in local nature reserves.
Potberg at De Hoop is home to the only remaining Western Cape breeding colony of Cape Vulture. And you can often see Flamingoes at the De Mond Nature Reserve, along with many unusual sightings.
Western Cape Birding:
Birding along the Nuwejaars floodplain, Agulhas Plains
“The sun was actually out over the Overstrand! Peter Hochfelden asked me to do the guiding on a trip to Voëlvlei near the Agulhas National Park during the Stanford Bird Fair and our decision to do a ‘recce’ was blessed with a cloudless sky. Chris Cheetham joined us for this one.” Read more.
Birding Tips
If you’re an avid bird watcher, or even just a beginner, we want to make it easy for you to enjoy our rich bird life as much as we do. So we’ve included a tip sheet on how to see some of our wonderful birds – and a birding ID list that you can use to tick off the birds you’ve seen (we’ve only included some of the slightly more difficult birds to spot).
And we’re challenging you to see if you can tick off each one of them over the next year.
At the coast, you’ll find our namesake – African Black Oystercatchers.
These birds used to be listed as Near Threatened but were downlisted to Least Concern. Years ago, people could drive along our coast – disturbing these birds, which pair for life. Now that’s banned (except with special permits), which has played a big role in boosting their numbers.
So easy to stay over
We have accommodation available on the farm (4 self-catering cottages) – ideal for the birdwatchers, friends and family. The four Black Oystercatcher Cottages are beautifully furnished with king-size beds or two single beds and private bathrooms.
Conservation News
We’re open again. Here’s what you need to know
Like so many in the tourism and hospitality sector, these have been 3 uncertain months for us.
Quiz: What does your wine palate say about you?
Did you know that your choice of wine tells us a little something about your personality?
Harvest 2020: The drought, the downpour and the delight
Harvest 2020 is well underway. And thanks to the January downpour in the Overberg …
Our Waterscapes
#Waterscapes: The natural wonder of the Agulhas Plain
You depend on water – it’s the basis of life. The same goes for the Black Oystercatcher. But – because of our unique setting, we depend on an intricate water network. We don’t just turn on a tap. We connect with a vast water system that must function fully.
Because our #waterscapes are at the heart of our existence, we’re highlighting these natural wonders of the Agulhas Plain. It’s a tribute to our corner of earth in the Overberg – and the life-giving systems you’ll find here.
Black Oystercatcher Wines on Instagram
