Larks, the Swartberg Pass and Port!
2nd October
A sense of deja vue as we were out again pre-dawn looking for larks, this time the range-restricted Ferruginous (Red) Lark. Our target bird came surprisingly easily and we enjoyed great views of a singing male perched up in the first of the morning sun. We crossed the desert picking up Gray-backed Sparrow-lark, Karoo Bustard and Double-banded Courser. Over the dramatic Swartberg Pass, sadly shrouded in mist and drizzle on one side, but we still managed to find Victorin’s Scrub-warbler and Cape Rockjumper, on of our most-wanted birds of the year! Overnighted in Calitzdorp, Port capital of the world according to Christian so we did our best to sample the variety!
Bird species total: 3272