Augrabies Falls National Park
Birding in Augrabies Falls National Park
Both Black Stork and Verreaux’s (Black) Eagle breed in the park. Other species of interest that occur include: Pygmy Falcon, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Rosy-faced Lovebird, Namaqua Warbler, Black-chested Prinia, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Mountain Wheatear (Chat), Tractrac and Karoo Chat, Marico, Chat and Fairy Flycatcher and Great Sparrow. There is also an isolated western population of Double-banded Sandgrouse in addition to Namaqua Sandgrouse.
The rest-camp is probably the most rewarding place in the park to see birds, as many species are attracted to the foliage of the camp. Orange River White-eye (recently separated from Cape White-eye ), Red-eyed Bulbul, Red-headed Finch, Pale-winged Starling and Karoo Scrub Robin will all be among the more prominent species. Other birds to look out for here include the lovebirds, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Acacia Pied Barbet, Ashy Tit, Pririt Batis and Dusky Sunbird.
The area around the gorge is the place to look for the storks and eagles. Keep an eye out too for Peregrine Falcon and Rock Kestrel, while Black and Alpine Swift and Rock and Brown-throated Martin should be seen.
Echo Corner is a good place to look for Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, while the parks many rock koppies could produce Mountain Wheatear (Chat), Short-toed Rock-Thrush and Cape Bunting .
In more open country, away from the river, search for Ludwig’s Bustard, Double-banded Courser and several lark species.
Birding
- The camp area is a good place to start birding, with Rosy-faced Lovebird, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Acacia Pied Barbet, Ashy Tit, African Red-eyed Bulbul, Namaqua Warbler, Black-chested Prinia, Pririt Batis, Pale-winged Starling, Dusky Sunbird and the beautiful Orange River White-eye, all occurring in the acacia bush and riverine vegetation.
- The gorge just below the camp, in which the orange river forms the actual Augrabies Falls, supports breeding Black Stork, Verreaux's Eagle and Peregrine Falcon, as well as huge mixed flocks of aerial feeders such as Alpine Swift, African Black Swift, Brown-throated Martin and Rock Martin.
- Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Short-toed Rock-Thrush and Mountain Wheatear occur on the rocky koppies found on the drives. A good spot to try for Cinnamon-breasted Warbler is Echo Corner.
- Other typical karoo species occurring in the open arid country away from the river include Ludwig's Bustard, Double-banded Courser, Stark's Lark, Spike-heeled Lark, Karoo Long-billed Lark, Grey-backed Sparrowlark, Black-eared Sparrowlark, Rufous-eared Warbler and Chat Flycatcher.
(For more birding information and park bird checklist, go to Information for Birders)
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