The West Coast National Park is a birding spot of note and is considered as the flagship birding destination along the West Coast.
The Langebaan Lagoon, a Ramsar wetland of global importance, supports an exceptional specie richness. The 16 km long lagoon area of the park provide important bird habitat.
The park, which is part of the West Coast Biosphere Reserve, forms part of the Flamingo-birding route and is a important birding area.The park is best known for the large numbers of migrant waders that to be found on the mudflats during summer. It also offers exeptional terrestrial birding opportunities.
Over 250 bird species have been recorded in the park and there is a good chance that during your visit you might also spot a few rare migrant visitors.
Besides the lagoon area that is a haven for birds the park’s strandveld fynbos also supports rich birdlife.
In some years, wader numbers can increase to 50,000 in summer. These visitors are migrating from their breeding in Siberia and Greenland and live of tiny invertebrates than can be found in the nutrient rich waters of the mudbanks here. The lagoon is seen as an extremely important wetland vir waders in South Africa.
Several bird hides (including the one at Geelbek and Abrahamskraal) have been constructed in the park and here you can see birds up close and / or be photographed.
The nearby islands of Schaapen, Jutten, Malgas and Marcus support important breeding colonies of coastal birds like the African Penguin, Cape gannet and crowned and bank cormorants. During a single day of birdwatching even novice birders will spot a significant number of species in the different habitat types of the area. Start early in the morning to ensure good birding. Make sure to pack your hat and binocular for some world renowned birding!
Birds
A birder’s paradise!
The West Coast National Park is a birding spot of note and is considered as the flagship birding destination along the West Coast.
The Langebaan Lagoon, a Ramsar wetland of global importance, supports an exceptional specie richness. The 16 km long lagoon area of the park provide important bird habitat.
The park, which is part of the West Coast Biosphere Reserve, forms part of the Flamingo-birding route and is a important birding area.The park is best known for the large numbers of migrant waders that to be found on the mudflats during summer. It also offers exeptional terrestrial birding opportunities.
Over 250 bird species have been recorded in the park and there is a good chance that during your visit you might also spot a few rare migrant visitors.
Besides the lagoon area that is a haven for birds the park’s strandveld fynbos also supports rich birdlife.
In some years, wader numbers can increase to 50,000 in summer. These visitors are migrating from their breeding in Siberia and Greenland and live of tiny invertebrates than can be found in the nutrient rich waters of the mudbanks here. The lagoon is seen as an extremely important wetland vir waders in South Africa.
Several bird hides (including the one at Geelbek and Abrahamskraal) have been constructed in the park and here you can see birds up close and / or be photographed.
The nearby islands of Schaapen, Jutten, Malgas and Marcus support important breeding colonies of coastal birds like the African Penguin, Cape gannet and crowned and bank cormorants. During a single day of birdwatching even novice birders will spot a significant number of species in the different habitat types of the area. Start early in the morning to ensure good birding. Make sure to pack your hat and binocular for some world renowned birding!
For more information about birding in the park visit: www.sanparks.org, www.westerncapebirding.co.za, www.birdlife.org.