3 DO A 24-HOUR BIRD HUNT
Ground woodpeckers in the Tankwa Karoo? Surely not. If wildly lucky, you could hope for the elusive Burchell’s courser on rocky plains – or expect to see arid-habitat species in the scrub. But finding unexpected treasure is the beauty of the annual Tankwa Birding Bonanza, hosted by the SANParks Honorary Rangers.
For 24 hours, teams of up to four people plus an expert birder roam the park’s biomes, relishing in collecting lists of lovely feathered critters. It’s not so much a competition as a chance to get to know the expanses of this starkly beautiful park and its 180-plus bird species, guided by people who know both intimately. You’ll begin to untangle the differences between the various LBJs that litter the area – the guides really want to teach you the differences between, say, chats (clue: it’s all in the rump).
When I participated, we drove up the Gannaga Pass in search of Verreaux’s eagles (tick) and that woodpecker (we lucked out). We watched waterbirds at Oudebaaskraal Dam, fairy flycatchers on the Renoster River and sailed through the succulent-studded springbokvlakte and Roggeveld scrub in search of larks. You can take it as gently as you like, but after the long day is over, lists are handed in and there’s a celebratory dinner, with heaps of lucky draws. – JANINE STEPHEN
COST This year it was R1500 pp sharing, self-catering, for the weekend (two nights). Daily conservation fee R41 pp. Next year’s event may change to a fully catered experience.
DO IT Next year’s dates are not set yet, but they are looking at spring (September or October). Participants stay at the Tankwa Guesthouse complex, which has units sleeping from two to eight people (note that you’ll have to share on the birding weekend). tankwabirding@gmail.com A bird ‘treasure hunt’ is held in other reserves too. The West Coast National Park’s annual event usually happens in wader-rich February; others take place in Karoo National Park (larks galore!), Mapungubwe (Meve’s starling, tropical boubou), Marakele (Cape vultures), Mokala (pygmy falcon) and Mountain Zebra National Park (Drakensberg rock jumper).