What a beautiful Easter Saturday morning it was for a hike in fynbos-covered Hottentot Hollands reserve. Starting from Steenbras Dam parking, 32 of us took the hike which I heard from others was either 5k, 7k or 13 storeys high. As my watch simply tells the time, I can say it took about four and a half hours but there was a lot of meandering and gazing through binoculars involved.
As well as being covered in pristine fynbos, with the proteas just starting to burst into life, it’s a historic place. Reaching our highest point the ancient ox wagon tracks, with the wheel ruts clearly visible and eye bolts for the chains nearby, are awe inspiring. Imagine the effort of getting over this pass for both the animals and the humans involved. Two cannons are still in place which were used for signalling, and the view across False Bay is fantastic. We were above the clouds looking down on mist covering the Helderberg basin.
A bit of inelegant scrambling took us to an area of jagged rocks where I first glimpsed one of the target sightings, the Cape Rockjumper, doing just what the name implies, as well as Cape Rock Thrush. As we watched, a young Verreaux’s Eagle flew silently over, a magnificent sight. There were also Rock Martins and Rock Kestrel – definitely a theme! On the way up and down Orange Breasted Sunbirds gave a lovely show and there were sightings of Cape Sugarbird, Grey backed Cisticola, Cape Bunting, Neddicky, Familiar Chat, Cape Robin Chat, Yellow Bishop, Cape Siskin, Cape Grassbird (I heard it but did not see it), Karoo Prinia, Malachite Sunbird, Ring Necked Dove and Lanner Falcon.
Thanks to Riël and Charles for a wonderful morning walking, birding and enjoying nature.