Birding Sites
Birding in the Basin
Our nest is situated in the Helderberg Basin, a stunningly beautiful area just 45 km from Cape Town CBD. The Hottentots Holland and Helderberg Mountain ranges provide a magnificent backdrop to this area of about 329 square kms. The larger towns include Somerset West, Strand, Gordon’s Bay, Macassar and Sir Lowry’s Pass. A small part of the area is farmland and a substantial part is built up.
With so many diverse habitats – from mountain ranges up to 1200m high to coastline and fynbos, our bird count is in the region of 260.
Photo: Crowned Lapwing by Marinda Bruwer
Popular Birding Sites in the Helderberg Basin
The 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. The same applies to the area of Sir Lowry’s Pass.
Click on the links below to find out more about each area.
Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary
Helderberg Nature Reserve
Paardevlei
Sir Lowry's Pass
Macassar Wastewater Treatment Works
Further Afield
Birdwatching in the Overberg area is always rewarding, and the club regularly visits this area on their outings.
In the other direction, the Cape Town area offers many diverse birding areas.
Click the links below to learn more.