The Somerset West Bird Club was founded over 25 years ago to encourage birding and conservation in the Helderberg. It has grown into an established organisation with two hundred local members, regular birding activities, a very successful quarterly magazine, The Batis, and links into local, regional and national programmes and organisations.

The main activities are:-

1. Well attended evening meetings with interesting and popular talks on local and international subjects. We meet at 7.30pm in the Somerset West Library Hall on the first Thursday of every month. Visitors are always welcome.
2. Monthly outings to birding locations under a guide to organize and help newer birders. Most outings are to local places of birding interest. Also a short afternoon outing is held on the second  Saturday of every month to the Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary.
3. The Batis is a popular and informative Club magazine published quarterly in either hard copy or emailed formats, which includes forthcoming club activities and articles of local birding interest.  An email advisory system is used for quick and short communications to members. 

The club supports and promotes conservation especially with regard to birding issues in and around the Helderberg basin. The Somerset West Bird Club was a founder member of the Western Cape Birding Forum, which under the sponsorship of Birdlife SA coordinates Western Cape Bird Clubs and regional birding activities and conservation programmes.

The Somerset West Bird Club is working actively with the Cape Town City Parks Department to revive the Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary as a worthwhile birding conservation site and a small wetland which is attractive for local and visiting birders. The Bird Rehabilitation Centre is also supported by the Club.

The Somerset West Bird Club was also the founder of the Helderberg Environmental and Educational Project which finances transport for less privileged school children to visit and enjoy bird and wildlife educational programmes at the Helderberg Nature Reserve.

We support the Clean C Beach cleanup initiative which takes place every first Saturday of the month, and are affiliated with the Future Kids – a project started by a 9-year old local boy to encourage recycling. 

The Club has a strong Committee which meets regularly to manage the Club activities and finances. Enquiries regarding membership,  activities or advertising in the Batis are welcomed. Please find contact details under the Contact tab.

MEMBERSHIP: subscriptions are due in January of each year, at the following rates:-

                  Family : R140.00 pa for the electronic Batis

or   R165.00 pa. for the hard (paper)  copy of the Batis to be mailed to you.

                    Life :                 R1000.00

Our Facebook Page: Facebook

Our Facebook Group, where people who are interested in birding can learn from each other and post pictures and interesting local sightings. Facebook group

The Helderberg Bird Rescue Facebook page

 Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary | Helderberg Nature Reserve | Paardevlei | Sir Lowry’s Pass

Macassar Wastewater Treatment Works | Kogelberg Nature Reserve

About the Helderberg Region

The Helderberg district is a visually stunning district with the magnificent Hottentots Holland and Helderberg mountain ranges as a backdrop located approximately 45km from the Cape Town CBD. It covers an area of 329 km² in extent. The larger towns include Somerset West, Strand, Gordon’s Bay Macassar and Sir Lowry’s Pass.

The Helderberg region has one of the most diverse habitats. It ranges from mountains up to 1200m high to coastline with good portions of mountain and coastal fynbos. A small part of the area is farmland and a substantial part is built up. The bird species count is over 260. Find a full Bird checklist under Useful Downloads.

*The Somerset West Bird Club agreed to do regular counts in the 9 Pentads making up the Somerset West Quarter Degree Square Cell QDSC (3418BB) and these all fall within the Helderberg region. Each pentad is about 7×9 km².

North West 3400_1845 Macassar which comprises the Eersterivier estuary, Helderberg Village and several wine farms.  This pentad holds the record for the highest species count on one card in the province at 137 and has a total of 196 bird species.

North   3400_1850  Helderberg Nature Reserve which also includes Erinvale Estate, portions of established residential areas and a few farms. Also has a good species count of about 170 species.

North East   3400_1855 Vergelegen estate and also some of the Lourensford estate. The area is mainly mountainous and difficult to access. It has recorded 117 bird species.

West 3405_1845 Strand beach area and in addition Paardevlei and environs of the old AECI works and the Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary.

Central   3405_1850  Somerset West to Gordons Bay which is mainly developed but has remnants of all habitat types.

East 3405_1855  Sir Lowry’s Pass which includes mountains and Wedderwill estate.

South West 3410_1845 Steenbras river mouth of which 95% is ocean and land portion is only a small section of the coast road and the road up to Steenbras dam. 

South  3410_1850 Steenbras Dam and a small section of Gordon’s Bay and part of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. The Dam is now not accessible by the public.

South East 3410_1855 Palmiet River Dam – including citrus farms and mountain slopes.

*Carter J 2015. Personal Communication. 

Although the pentads are all monitored regularly and well atlassed nevertheless public access can be difficult or may require permission. For visitors the following birding areas of Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary, Helderberg Nature Reserve and Paardevlei are all reasonably accessible. Macassar is an excellent place to watch birds but visitors are advised to go in groups as vagrants may be around in the area. The same applies to the area of Sir Lowry’s Pass. Kogelberg Reserve is included because of its high conservation status but access to the main Reserve is at Kleinmond by the Palmiet River.

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Dick Dent was once the site of a wastewater treatment works which ceased operating in 1975. The area was proclaimed as the Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary in 1982 and was named after the late Mr Dick Dent of AECI. It has become a wetland populated with waterfowl, migrant waders and coastal birds. 

The sanctuary is managed by Cape Town City Parks and the birds are regularly monitored by members of the Somerset West Bird Club. Species are recorded and data kept at the Animal Demographic Unit.  The Sanctuary is about 10 hectares and comprises six settling ponds. The area is fenced except for the eastern side which is bound by the Lourens River. The riverine vegetation comprises indigenous and alien plant species. Raptors such as Peregrine Falcon, African Harrier-hawk and Black Sparrow hawk may be observed. Other birds attracted by the tree cover include Olive Woodpecker, Cape Weaver, Paradise Flycatcher and Cape Batis.

The ponds at present have dense reed cover and from the bird hide, visitors are most likely to encounter species such as the Lesser Swamp Warbler, Little Rush Warbler, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Fiscal Flycatcher, Cape Bulbul, Red and Yellow Bishop, Black Crake and Purple Swamp Hen. The largest and most prominent pond is on the north eastern side of the sanctuary. This pond is where waterbirds such as Grey Heron, Sacred Ibis, Red-Knobbed Coots, Giant, Pied and Malachite Kingfishers and other interesting species. Some of the smaller ponds dry up completely in the summer months and the resulting mudflats attract waders such as Common Greenshank, Three-banded Plover, Common Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt and Common Whimbrel.

The current list of birds recorded is 162 species. At present the thick reeds and use of the hide by vagrants pose a challenge.

Directions: The Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary can be reached from the N2 by either driving towards Strand along Broadway Boulevard (R44), or by taking Victoria Road from Somerset West towards Strand. Care should be taken at the intersection of these two roads. At this intersection carry on through the intersection (if approaching on the R44 from the west, turn right at the lights), then immediately left on to the grass track, parallel to the fence, towards the river. Parking is available near the pedestrian gate. No entrance fee applies.

Contact Bryan Butler of the Somerset West Bird Club at 021 851 6707.

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Helderberg Nature Reserve was proclaimed in 1960 and is managed by the City of Cape Town and Cape Nature. It is about 286 ha in size. The Reserve comprises an indigenous garden and the southern slopes of the Helderberg Mountain. The biome consists mostly of mountain fynbos, but the higher mountain slopes include rocky gorges and gullies. The banks of the Disa River have marginal vegetation and tree cover.

Facilities include a picnic site, toilets, restaurant and information centre located near the Entrance Gate.  The garden near the Reserve entrance is always busy with birds and a number of interesting species including Fork-tailed Drongo, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird, Cape Batis, Cape Sugarbird, Speckled Mousebird, Cape Spurfowl, Bar-throated Apalis, Cape Bulbul, Cape Grassbird and Yellow Bishop can be found.

Various small dams in the garden support waterbirds such as Yellow-billed Duck, Spurwing Geese, Red-knobbed Coot and Common Moorhen. Moving further up the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain, one finds Karoo Prinia, Grey-backed Cisticola, Bokmakierie, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, and Cape Sugarbird amongst the fynbos vegetation. In the moister, denser vegetation, the clear repetitive call of the Victorin’s Warbler can be heard. Further up the slopes look for Cape Siskin, and at the base of the rocky areas look out for Ground Woodpecker and Cape Rockjumper.

The forested gullies reveal species such as Olive Woodpecker, Cape Batis, Lemon Dove and African Olive-Pigeon. Protea Canaries may also be found on the edges of forest patches and amongst proteas. In the reed clumps it is possible to see Hottentot Buttonquail and Striped Flufftail in damp grassy areas, although they are extremely rare. Red-chested Flufftail and Chestnut-vented Tit Babbler have recently been recorded. Also visiting Fairy Flycatchers.

Raptors such as the African Goshawk, Rufous-chested and Black Sparrowhawk may be seen regularly in the garden areas. Higher up on the slopes occasional sightings of Verreaux’s Eagle, Booted Eagle, Jackal Buzzard and Black Harrier have been recorded.

Directions: To find the Helderberg Nature Reserve from Cape Town, take the N2 towards Somerset West. On approaching Somerset West, turn left onto the R44 towards Stellenbosch. At the first set of Traffic Lights, turn right into Main Road. At the fourth set of Traffic Lights turn left into Lourensford Road. From Lourensford, take a left into Hillcrest Drive, right into Reservoir Road and then left into Verster Avenue. A small fee is payable at the gate.

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Paardevlei forms part of the old AECI factory property. It is on the western side of the Lourens River Estuary and in close proximity to the Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary. It is well worth a visit as large numbers of waterbirds occur here seasonally.  Huge numbers of Greater Flamingo congregate in the vlei and recently some Lesser Flamingo have been recorded amongst them.  Maccoa Duck, Southern Pochard, Cape Shoveller, Yellow-billed Duck and both Cape and Red-billed Teals are often recorded, as are Black necked, Great Crested and Little Grebes. Whiskered Terns are regularly recorded. White-winged Terns are less frequently observed.  Black-crowned Night Herons inhabit the reed-beds at the Southwestern end of the vlei, and a pair of Blue Cranes has visited the area in the past.  Large numbers of swallows, swifts and martins and good numbers of waders are present in summer and the usual bishops, cisticolas, waxbills and weavers are evident on the vegetated margins.  Raptors could include African Fish Eagle, Jackal Buzzard, Rock Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon and Black-shouldered Kite. A trail can be followed around most of the vlei and from the parking area it is possible to scan most of the water mass with a spotting scope.  Although vleis are small shallow lakes nevertheless the water level is monitored and controlled at Paardevlei to try to mimic natural rise and fall with the seasons. Recently water levels have been higher due to larger than average rainfall patterns.

Directions: Leaving from the Mall: Get back onto the R44, direction ‘The Strand’. At the first traffic lights just beyond the Mall boundary where De Beers Road comes in from the left to join the R44 turn right into the AECI property, known as “HEARTLAND”, and approach the booms about 100ms down the road. Entry is controlled, but easy  and the parking area is on the right along the road in front of you as you enter, about 1/2km. Cheetah Outreach has some parking but just beyond that group of buildings is a small road, not very obvious, leading off to the right and some offices etc. At the parking space about 100m along the road, and at the edge of the Vlei, one has open views of the Vlei and can ‘scope’ virtually the whole surface. 

Contact Duncan & Ines Cooke Belmont@oakbridge.co.za or 083 453 0038

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Sir Lowry’s Pass, whilst being a route across a formidable mountain range, offers excellent bird watching. To access the area the best way is to stop at the car park, on the western side of the N2 near the top of the pass.The area is covered predominantly by mountain fynbos with the higher areas being covered in rocky slopes. In the lower areas, streams become densely vegetated.

After parking the car visitors must cross back over the N2 (the heavy traffic is a hazard) and pass through the fence and onto the upper of the two roads leading along the eastern side of the mountain range. The first part of the upper track leads through mountain fynbos. Species that may be seen include Cape Grassbird, Karoo Prinia, Neddicky, Grey-backed Cisticola, Cape Sugarbird, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird and Orange-breasted Sunbird. Although not always easy to see, listen for the repetitive call of the Victorin’s Warbler from the thicker vegetation. 

The rocky slopes may reveal species such as Cape Siskin, Familiar Chat, Cape Bunting, Cape Rock Thrush, Sentinel Rock Thrush and Ground Woodpecker. The Cape Rockjumper is usually found on the rocky hill slopes.

The stream leading up to the cannon becomes densely vegetated and holds Cape Sugarbird, Victorin’s Warbler, Malachite Sunbird and Orange-breasted Sunbird. On the slopes in the vicinity of the old cannons species that may be seen are Cape Rockjumper, Cape Siskin, Ground Woodpecker and Cape Rock Thrush.

Raptors that can be observed flying above the ridges include Verreaux’s Eagle, Jackal Buzzard, White-necked Raven, Peregrine Falcon and Rock Kestrel. On occasions Black Harrier, Martial Eagle and Red-breasted Sparrowhawk have been recorded.

Lower down on the southern slopes, the streamside vegetation holds Victorin’s Warbler and Yellow Bishop. Difficult to spot, both Striped Flufftail and Red-chested Flufftail can be found on the lower slopes of Sir Lowry’s Pass near the railway line. The former of the two lurks in thick undergrowth in damp areas, while the latter prefers more marshy areas. Other birds recorded irregularly at Sir Lowry’s Pass include Protea Canary and Cape Eagle-Owl.

Directions: The Pass is reached via the N2 from Cape Town. The Pass is a 45 minute drive from Cape Town. As one approaches the top of the pass on the N2, move into the right hand lane and turn right into the car park situated on the western side of the N2. The area is relatively accessible, and it can take between three to four hours to explore the area. Visitors are advised to travel in groups due to safety concerns.

Sir Lowry’s Pass GPS S34.149149 E18.927753.

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The Macassar Dunes Nature Reserve, in Baden Powell Drive, forms part of the vital coastal dune system, one of the biodiversity hotspots of the Western Cape.The best way to access it is to visit the Macassar Waste Water Treatment Works. There one starts on the bridge at the entrance to the Macassar Waste Water Treatment Works. The Eerste River flows beneath the bridge to the estuary mouth. The banks of the Eerste River are well vegetated and a forest of Milkwoods and other trees is evident from the bridge. Within the river vegetation are Bar-throated Apalis, Southern Boubou, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Lesser Swamp Warbler and Little Rush Warbler. African Reed Warbler and Little Bittern occur in the Reed beds. In the veld areas interesting species that have been recorded are Acacia Pied Barbet, Lesser Honeyguide, Forktailed Drongo, Brimstone Canary and Cardinal Woodpecker.

From the bridge either walk or drive past the shallow waters of the Eersterivier Estuary.  Birds seen here include waders such as Three-banded Plover, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper. Blackwinged Stilt and Pied Avocet. Many waterbirds can be seen including Yellow-billed Ducks, White-faced Duck, Southern Pochard, Cape Teal and Red-knobbed Coot also Sacred Ibis, Glossy Ibis and Spoonbill. Flying along the water one may see Barn, Greater-striped and Pearl-breasted Swallows and Brown-throated Martins skimming the water for insects.  Flying lower than the swallows one can observe swift species such as Alpine, Black, Little and White-rumped. 

To the left one reaches the settling ponds of the Sewage works and here a profusion of birds may be seen taking advantage of the diverse food sources in these enriched waters.  Seasonally one may encounter large numbers of Hartlaub’s Gull, Grey-headed Gull, Black-winged Stilt, Cape Teal, Red-billed Teal and Little Grebes. A few Avocet and Black-necked Grebe may be seen. The second pond may have all species of the first pond but may include large numbers of Greater Flamingo. Egrets occur throughout.

Near the Estuary mouth large numbers of Greater Flamingo congregate and with some Lesser Flamingo present as well. Many marine birds may be seen here such as Kelp, Hartlaub’s  Gulls, Cape Cormorant and White-breasted Cormorant. Waders such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Kittlitz’s Plover, Three-banded Plovers and Curlew Sandpipers. Between the Eerste River lagoon and the sea, a diverse array of terns, depending on season, may be seen roosting in large numbers on the beach. Species include Common White-whiskered, Sandwich, Swift and Caspian Tern. In the distance African Black Oystercatcher and the White fronted Plover may also be seen.

Raptors in the area include Peregrine Falcon, Rufous-chested and Black Sparrowhawk, Jackal Buzzard, Steppe Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite and Rock Kestrel.

Directions: The Macassar Waste Water Treatment Works is situated on Baden Powell Drive.

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Kogelberg Nature Reserve forms part of the 100 000ha Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. A biosphere reserve is an area of terrestrial and coastal ecosytems recognised globally. It is zoned to benefit both nature and people. The core area of a biosphere reserve is strictly conserved and is 1800 ha in size.

The Reserve extends from Gordon’s Bay to Kleinmond. The area along the R44 from Gordon’s Bay to Rooi Els falls within the Helderberg region. The area is mainly pristine mountain fynbos and a narrow coastal fynbos strip and beach and rock areas.

There are two camping sites along the way and the public can access the coastal portion at these points. Permission is needed to access any of the mountain area and there are no trails or paths.

For a good account of birds in the entire reserve visit http://www.kleinmondtourism.co.za/index.php?dirname=html_docs_news/05300articles/05000kogelberg_birds

Kogelberg Nature Reserve Contact Information.

Reserve office hours: 07h30 – 16h00 | Reserve office phone number: 028 271 5138

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Click on “read more” to open saveable pdf files

Bird Checklist Helderberg 2016

Download your Helderberg bird checklist here…

06/06/2016

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Garden Bird project

Take part in this worthy project! Read the instructions under Articles and download the form here.

01/05/2018

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Membership application

Download a Membership Application form here…

27/08/2015

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Bird of the Year

Website Photography Credits

 Thank you to the following Somerset West bird club photographers who graciously allowed us to use their photographs on the website:

Basil Boer, Frances Bishop, Denise Rizzo, Duncan and Inès Cooke, Martin Ellenberger and Alastair Lochhead.

All images are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the photographer’s permission.

Bird Rescue – Injured Birds

A number of people have volunteered to take care of injured and baby birds in our area. These include:-

• Angela Lewis of the Bird Re-habilitation Centre at 4 Freesia Ave, Westridge. Tel 021 852 6458 or 084 866 9658.
• Hank Chalmers of Eagles Encounters. Tel 082 462 5463 or 021 858 1826. He works with all birds but is an accredited specialist in raptors and owls.
• Kay Sanders. Tel 082 367 3881. She is in Gordon’s Bay and helps mainly garden and common birds.
• Helderberg Bird Rescue Facebook page, run by Kay Sanders, Maddie Beale and Dave Houreld. Please feel free to contact any of the aforementioned admins for assistance. This page is run and administered by some of our areas most well know bird experts in terms of hand rearing, dealing with injuries etc.
• Charlotte White. Tel 084 43 44 084. She is located in Sir Lowry’s Pass and cares for common and garden birds, including small raptors.
• Helene van der Westhuyzen, Conservation Services Manager of Cape Nature will be pleased to advise and assist. Tel 082 773 4278 or 021 955 0120.

Please note that all are volunteers and not always immediately available. Donations would be appreciated to cover some of their costs.

Garden Bird Project

For some years now, Sally Perry has been running the Garden Bird Project. In this project, volunteers note the birds in their garden every month.

Don’t worry if you miss a spell here and there – your records will still keep Sally busy. You can start at any time. This is not a perfect piece of citizen science, but it certainly gives us all a good idea of what is where – and when!

All you have to do is email Sally at jperry@mweb.co.za and she will send you a blank form to help you keep notes or download it from the Useful Download tab on this website. Keep your sheet near your favourite window, and record what you see. Here are Sally’s simple instructions:

“Note down what birds you hear or see in, over or from your garden. Only one cross per month per bird. If you’re away and miss some time, it doesn’t matter. I don’t expect perfection. If new people could tell me what sort of garden they have and if they are close to the sea, a river, a dam, mountains, in a small complex, 4th floor flat with a container garden on the balcony…..

“Some people note nesting habits and behaviour. If a bird is missing off the list, Hurray! New bird! Add it on.

At the end of the year could you could please scan and email the form back to me, or fax or post or give it to me at a meeting. Then I compile all the info, write a report and send it off for publication in the Batis.”

All sightings, even if you don’t start on January 1, add to our knowledge of what birds we have in our gardens in Somerset West/Strand/Gordon’s Bay.

Thank you for getting involved!