I was lucky enough to spend four blissful days at the Goudini Spa. But of course I had to do some relaxed birding as well. The Spa is situated on the mountains slopes. Although there are plenty of trees the total bird species is a bit disappointing. The most dominant birds are Cape Canaries and Red-winged Starlings. In total I found about 16 species. The most exciting bird I saw was a Black SparrowHawk flyover.
If you decide to venture a bit further the Karoo National Park in Worcester is a good bet. On a good day you could find up to 60 species in the park. I found about 40 species in a 3 hour walk. The most sought after species you will find here is the Southern Tchagra and Fairy Flycatcher. Just remember to be there early. The birds are very active early on, but by 10 :00 you don't see that many birds.
Another good bet is when you drive out of the Spa, take the road to the left. This road becomes a dirt road and after about 5 km meet up with the main tar road to Worcester. The birding along this dirt road is very good. Even without really birding with intent we still managed to see 58 species.
The Goudini Spa Is a wonderful breakaway and you will enjoy the warm spring water.
If you decide to venture a bit further the Karoo National Park in Worcester is a good bet. On a good day you could find up to 60 species in the park. I found about 40 species in a 3 hour walk. The most sought after species you will find here is the Southern Tchagra and Fairy Flycatcher. Just remember to be there early. The birds are very active early on, but by 10 :00 you don't see that many birds.
Another good bet is when you drive out of the Spa, take the road to the left. This road becomes a dirt road and after about 5 km meet up with the main tar road to Worcester. The birding along this dirt road is very good. Even without really birding with intent we still managed to see 58 species.
The Goudini Spa Is a wonderful breakaway and you will enjoy the warm spring water.
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Birds Seen
Acacia Pied Barbet, African Reed Warbler, African Sacred Ibis,
African Stonechat, Alpine Swift, Black Sparrowhawk, Black-shouldered Kite Blacksmith Lapwing, Bokmakierie, Brown-throated Martin, Cape Batis, Cape Bulbul, Cape Canary, Cape Robin-Chat, Cape Sparrow, Cape Spurfowl Cape Teal, Cape Turtle Dove, Cape Wagtail, Cape Weaver, Cape White-eye Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Common Fiscal, Common Starling,
Common Waxbill, Egyptian Goose, Familiar Chat, Fiscal Flycatcher,
Greater Striped Swallow, Grey-backed Cisticola, Hadeda Ibis, Hamerkop, Helmeted Guineafowl, Jackal Buzzard, Karoo Scrub Robin, Laughing Dove, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Levaillant's Cisticola, Little Swift,
Malachite Sunbird, Olive Thrush, Pied Crow, Red-eyed Dove,
Red-winged Starling, Reed Cormorant, Rock Dove, Rock Kestrel,
Rock Martin, Southern Boubou, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Speckled Pigeon, Streaky-headed Seedeater, Swee Waxbill,
White-backed Mousebird, White-necked Raven, Yellow Bishop,
Yellow-billed Duck
African Stonechat, Alpine Swift, Black Sparrowhawk, Black-shouldered Kite Blacksmith Lapwing, Bokmakierie, Brown-throated Martin, Cape Batis, Cape Bulbul, Cape Canary, Cape Robin-Chat, Cape Sparrow, Cape Spurfowl Cape Teal, Cape Turtle Dove, Cape Wagtail, Cape Weaver, Cape White-eye Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Common Fiscal, Common Starling,
Common Waxbill, Egyptian Goose, Familiar Chat, Fiscal Flycatcher,
Greater Striped Swallow, Grey-backed Cisticola, Hadeda Ibis, Hamerkop, Helmeted Guineafowl, Jackal Buzzard, Karoo Scrub Robin, Laughing Dove, Lesser Swamp Warbler, Levaillant's Cisticola, Little Swift,
Malachite Sunbird, Olive Thrush, Pied Crow, Red-eyed Dove,
Red-winged Starling, Reed Cormorant, Rock Dove, Rock Kestrel,
Rock Martin, Southern Boubou, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Speckled Pigeon, Streaky-headed Seedeater, Swee Waxbill,
White-backed Mousebird, White-necked Raven, Yellow Bishop,
Yellow-billed Duck
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