White-chinned Petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis (with Cape Petrel in background)
The White-chinned Petrel, Procellaria aequinoctialis, has almost entirely dark plumage except for the underside wing edge and a variable amount under the chin. It ranges the southern oceans with a preference for offshore waters near the continental shelves.
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Cape Petrel, Daption capense
The Cape Petrel, Daption capense, is one of the most distinctively plumaged of the Petrel family. They have also been known as the Pintato Petrel. They breed and roam widely in the southern oceans.
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The Shy Albatross, Thalassarche cauta, is a mid size species which breeds in the Australia and New Zealand areas and travels about the southern oceans. It was recently part of a split into three species, foremerly being grouped with Salvin’s and Chatham Albatross.
It is very commonly seen on the pelagics run out of South Africa.
For an ARKive video of this species click on the following link:
This is a protected area of coastal dunes, and Lowland Fynbos. On the way, we stopped at Sir Lowrey’s Pass where we saw the fabulous Cape Rockjumper. We missed the other target endemic, Victorin’s Warbler, which had gone quiet.
In the farmlands leading to the reserve we saw Clapper Lark and the recently split Algulhas Long Billed Lark. Groups of Blue Crane could be seen in the fields, and a Lanner Falcon made a flyby.
Near the entrance to the reserve, a group of Wattled Starlings was found near a colony of Red Bishops. Both the Greater and Lesser Honeyguides were also in the area, and it was a special treat to see a Cape Griffon soaring overhead. Cape Mountain Zebra may be seen.
Common Fiscals were easily found in the Reserve, as well as a long distance view of a displaying Stanley’s Bustard. A Hoopoe wandered through one of the picnic area, and it was interesting to see the darker brown plumage of this race compared to the European race. It has been treated as a seperate species, and may be again.
Several hours of driving up the South coast brings you to the Knysna and Wilderness areas. During the
drive, which comes out of Sir Lowry pass into a vast plain, you will find such species as the Blue Crane, South Africa’s national bird, and the African Stonechat, which has been split from the Eurasian Stonechat species. Knysna and Wilderness are both holiday areas, boasting an assortment of beaches and good restaurants. (more…)
When there are a lot of birds around, it is hard to imagine a more exciting experience than a seabird trip. Based on this, the trip from Capetown is in the running for world’s best. At it’s peak, we had thousands of seabirds in view, including perhaps a hundred of Shy Albatross. While the Shy was the most numerous of the Albatross, they were joined by the Black-Browed, and both of the distinct races of the Yellow Nosed. Later there was great excitement when a “Northern” Royal Albatross was spotted. (more…)
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