Birding in Paternoster and St Helena Bay |
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The diversity of vegetation and many lagoons, marshes and river estuaries support huge migrant Palaerctic populations. Over 250 species of birds have been recorded - some 65 of which are seabirds, including flamingos, a variety of duck species and the striking African Black Oystercatcher that breeds both onshore and on the offshore islands and is threatened by predation of its natural home – the pristine beaches where it lays its eggs.
What is not so well known is that excellent birding can be conducted between St Helena Bay and Paternoster and with knowledge, and preparation it is possible at times to find over a hundred species without leaving the comfort of the car!
Let’s start our half a day of birding in Paternoster – and best to set out early before the wind rises or the heat sets in during the summer months.
At the entrance gate to Cape Columbine Nature Reserve look over the ridge to the right at the beach and rocks in front of ‘fish factory’ for Terns – in summer Common, in winter Antarctic – and Waders.
Follow the road turning right at the Beach Camp sign. The first bay (Wader Pool) is best between 2 hours before and 2 hours after high tide (at Cape Town) and you should see Grey Plover, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint. Turn into the Beach Camp and on the rock to the right the Crowned Cormorants breed with Cape Cormorants breeding on the large rock to the left and at about mid tide, as the water flows past the island, waders gather.
Now take the lower road below the lighthouse and look for Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, Grey-backed Sparrowlarks, Cisticolas - both Grey-backed and Zitting- and Chats. Park the car at Tietiesbaai and look out for the Brimstone Canary, Cape Bunting and Spotted-eagle Owl; the more energetic may wish to take the path past the fence to the large flat rock where, if there are freshly smashed medium-sized tortoises, the White-necked Raven will be seen.
Back to Paternoster and along the beach are Gulls and Sanderlings. The first mussel bank, especially in winter, is a high tide roost for African Black Oystercatchers. Many are ringed with colour combinations and some have numbered Canada rings which can be read with a telescope. A myriad waders have been seen including the White-fronted Plover and recently the Lesser Sand Plover.
Now to St Helena Bay. Leaving Paternoster turn left past the sports ground onto the untarred road to Stompneusbaai. Availability of water is the key, so stop for a few minutes wherever there is a farm animal feeding or watering point, especially the soakaways from dairy farms. Waders come to feed where one would least expect, as do swallows and martins that feed on the insects.
The vlei with the large rock (right) is where the migratory Blue Crane gather in winter and the large bush shaped like a large plum pudding was the nesting site of the Secretarybird for several years.
After the two sharp bends on the left and opposite a dairy farm there is a trickle of a stream running beside the road. Stop, sit and wait and you’ll start to see the dry land birds - Namaqua Dove and the range of larks and pipets - coming in to drink water.
At the intersection with the tar road there are two options: right to St Helena Bay or left following the directions to Shelley Point private development and golf estate where, because of the availability of water, many garden birds have also made this their home.
The 7 km stretch of beach from (old) Britannia Bay along Golden Mile makes for wonderful fossicking for seashells and is excellent waterfowl terrain. Further one to the west is Duykereiland where Thick-knees and Spotted Eagle Owls are regularly seen in the daytime and seasonally the Southern Grey Tit can be ticked off on your bird list.
Taking the right turn to St Helena Bay, opposite Luzizi/Mostert’s fish factory is a turn-off to the right. Follow the road up and past the reservoir climbing up to Britannica Heights and take in the stunning panoramic views across to Baboon Point at Elandsbaai. Walk or drive the circular route to the left and spot the five species of Larks found on the West Coast: Red-capped, Large-billed, Cape Clapper, Karoo and Cape Long-billed. Other dry land species include Southern Black Korhaan, Namaqua Sandgrouse and, if fortunate, Common Quail, with swallows and swifts feeding on insects blown up on the wind.
Back down to the main road, continue in an easterly direction and just past Sandy Point Harbour on the left is Jaloersbaai/Hannasbaai Fishing with its mariculture abalone farm; about 300 metres further on turn left into the housing development itself which is sheltered from the wind and waves and where large numbers of terns and gulls roost. But what is often overlooked – and where the weed is washed up - are waders up to the size of Common Greenshank and on the rocks to the right the White-breasted Cormorant breeds.
A number of members of West Coast Bird Club are resident here who will be more than happy to share with you their knowledge of local species. Call 076 661 2046 and you will be put you in touch with them. There are a total of 12 maps covering the area from the Berg River to south of the West Coast National Park which are available via email
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