Tim Cockcroft Birding - Guided Birding Tours

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Tim Cockcroft Birding - Guided Birding Tours Updates on local birding tours in and around Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Along with this came an interest in bird calls.

A born and bred Eastern Cape man, Tim has had an enthusiasm and passion for birds since late 1984. He had more of a curiosity as to what sound a bird made, as opposed to which bird was making a particular sound. Fast-forward to more recent times: Tim is probably best known in local circles for my ability to recognise bird calls and, in some cases, calling them out of the bush for people to see. Wh

ether he is leading a private outing, a bird club outing, or just part of the group, his skills are put to good use. Some have even dubbed him the “Bird Whisperer”. He is a registered FGASA guide and is available for tours. Tim is also known for his art, which also started at an early age. His watercolour portrayal of Southern African birds have recently started attracting the attention of birders, and is available.

Three brand new C6 greeting card designs now available! No NFTs.
12/02/2025

Three brand new C6 greeting card designs now available! No NFTs.

My two clients had a productive full day of birding in the Bathurst and Port Alfred area. Despite a wet and drizzly star...
07/02/2025

My two clients had a productive full day of birding in the Bathurst and Port Alfred area. Despite a wet and drizzly start, we didn't do too badly. Rufous-naped Lark, Wailing Cisticola, Black-crowned Tchagra and Black-collared Barbet were seen on the first part of our trip. In Bathurst, we saw Black Saw-wing, Western House Martin, Lesser Striped Swallow, Brown-hooded Kingfisher and Sombre Greenbul. Not long after we started out on the backroads nearby, we stopped at a spot where we saw Black Cuckooshrike, Olive Bushshrike, Dark-backed Weaver and more. Further along, we stopped to see Grey Sunbird, Denham's Bustard and White-backed Duck. The birding at the estuary was fairly productive. Eurasian Whimbrel, Common Greenshank and Little Egret were seen resting and waiting for tide to drop more than it had at that point. A lone Crowned Hornbill was seen in the bush nearby, while on the sandbank we saw White-fronted Plover, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Sandwich Tern. After lunch in Port Alfred, we went around town to look for Knysna Warbler at my usual spots. Most were "conspicuous by their absence" and the one we did find simply refused to show itself.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

C6 size blank greeting cards, printed from my original artwork. R30 each, excluding courier costs. Watch this space... m...
04/02/2025

C6 size blank greeting cards, printed from my original artwork. R30 each, excluding courier costs. Watch this space... more designs coming soon!

My two clients from Friday's tour returned for another morning of birding, this time in a different habitat. The bird ac...
03/02/2025

My two clients from Friday's tour returned for another morning of birding, this time in a different habitat. The bird activity soon came alive, with Rufous-eared Warbler, Grey-backed Cisticola, Sickle-winged Chat, and Karoo Scrub Robin showing well. White-browed Scrub Robin and Chestnut-vented Warbler sang in the same tree, while Acacia Pied Barbet perched nearby. We also managed to see White-throated Canary, White-fronted Bee-eater, Familiar Chat and Lark-like Bunting. Another side road produced Grey Tit and Malachite Sunbird. Our final stop of the morning yielded Cape Penduline-Tit and Yellow-bellied Eremomela.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

My two clients really enjoyed their morning's birding near Bathurst and Port Alfred. At our first few stops around Bathu...
31/01/2025

My two clients really enjoyed their morning's birding near Bathurst and Port Alfred. At our first few stops around Bathurst, we saw Dark-backed Weaver, Black-headed Oriole, Black-bellied Starling, Green-backed Camaroptera, Olive Bushshrike, Olive Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird and Brown Scrub Robin. In the river valley, Knysna Turaco made their way through the trees, while further along the route, we saw Grey Sunbird, European Honey Buzzard, African Stonechat and Wailing Cisticola. The estuary yielded fewer species than normal, although numbers were good. Grey Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Common Ringed Plover and Black-winged Stilt were seen here.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

My client from yesterday was back for more birding. This time we birded the areas West of Port Alfred. Our first stop wa...
30/01/2025

My client from yesterday was back for more birding. This time we birded the areas West of Port Alfred. Our first stop was the best and most productive of the morning. Olive Bushshrike, Grey Sunbird, Cape Batis, Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Collared Sunbird, Black-backed Puffback and Spectacled Weaver were all seen within a short space of time. Another spot nearby produced Little Grebe, Black Crake and Yellow-billed Duck. From there, we headed for a coastal grassland route. Here, African Pipit, Southern Grey-headed Sparrow, Cape Sparrow, Cape Longclaw and White-faced Whistling Duck were seen. Our next stop, a large section of indigenous forest, yielded Red-necked Spurfowl, Black-headed Oriole and Green-backed Camaroptera. By now it was quite hot, and the good birding had died down considerably. On our way back to Port Alfred, we saw Tawny-flanked Prinia and Long-tailed Widowbird.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

My client had a very satisfactory morning of birding near Port Alfred. Our first stop produced specials such as Knysna W...
29/01/2025

My client had a very satisfactory morning of birding near Port Alfred. Our first stop produced specials such as Knysna Woodpecker and Narina Trogon. The next valley and onward yielded Yellow-breasted Apalis, Southern Black Tit, Dark-backed Weaver, Black-backed Puffback, White-browed Scrub Robin and Grey Sunbird in the wooded areas, while Wailing Cisticola, Long-tailed Widowbird and Crowned Lapwing were seen in the grasslands. On our way to the estuary, we saw Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird, and at the estuary, Eurasian Whimbrel, Grey Plover, Kittlitz's Plover, Little Stint and Common Greenshank were present. We then took a detour back to Port Alfred, where we saw Black-crowned Tchagra and Pearl-breasted Swallow.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

Here is my current selection of notebooks, printed from my original artwork, at R40 each, excluding courier. Please mess...
22/01/2025

Here is my current selection of notebooks, printed from my original artwork, at R40 each, excluding courier. Please message me for orders or more information.

Here is my current full range of blank greeting cards printed from my original artwork, C6 size, available at R30 each, ...
22/01/2025

Here is my current full range of blank greeting cards printed from my original artwork, C6 size, available at R30 each, excluding courier. Please message me for more information. No NFTs.

My two clients from Sweden enjoyed a good morning's birding. Our first stop was at Kleinemonde, where we had good views ...
18/01/2025

My two clients from Sweden enjoyed a good morning's birding. Our first stop was at Kleinemonde, where we had good views of Dark-backed Weaver, Collared Sunbird, Southern Black Tit, Black-bellied Starling, Grey Sunbird and others were seen. We then headed for a private farm. Some of the sightings here were Crowned Eagle, Narina Trogon, Half-collared Kingfisher, Yellow-breasted Apalis and Brown-hooded Kingfisher. At another nearby spot on the farm, we saw Black Cuckoo, Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird, European Honey Buzzard and Spectacled Weaver were seen. Back in Port Alfred, we saw the elusive Knysna Warbler. At our final stop of the morning, we watches a Giant Kingfisher caught a large frog, which took about 15 minutes to pulverise and finish.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

My three clients were very pleased with their morning of birding. Early sightings of Denham's Bustard, European Honey Bu...
17/01/2025

My three clients were very pleased with their morning of birding. Early sightings of Denham's Bustard, European Honey Buzzard (no less than three individuals seen at different spots during the morning), African Olive Pigeon, Black-winged Kite and Rufous-naped Lark. The next road we took produced Narina Trogon, Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Cape Batis, Green-backed Camaroptera and Yellow-breasted Apalis. The estuary wasn't as productive as usual, but we did manage to see Eurasian Whimbrel, Grey Plover, White-throated Swallow and Yellow-billed Kite.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

This morning's two clients had a very good morning's birding along a back route that can be quite productive. The first ...
16/01/2025

This morning's two clients had a very good morning's birding along a back route that can be quite productive. The first few stops in riverine bush and forest produced Collared Sunbird, Black Saw-wing, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Grey Sunbird, Knysna Woodpecker and Dark-backed Weaver. On our way out of the valley, we paused to watch the antics of Yellow-breasted Apalis, European Honey Buzzard and Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird. We made a brief stop at a private farm, where we saw Red-billed Teal, Yellow-billed Duck, South African Shelduck, White-breasted Cormorant and Little Grebe among others. The open grassland yielded Long-tailed Widowbird, African Stonechat and Wailing Cisticola. At another stop, we had sightings of Rufous-naped Lark and White-backed Duck. Some other sightings along the final stretch of road included Jackal Buzzard, White-browed Scrub Robin, Lazy Cisticola and Narina Trogon.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

Here are my paintings that are available. Please contact me for prices, private viewing appointment and other informatio...
15/01/2025

Here are my paintings that are available. Please contact me for prices, private viewing appointment and other information. Strictly no NFTs.

My two clients had a very satisfactory tour this morning, despite a rather drizzly start. In Bathurst, Black-bellied Sta...
11/01/2025

My two clients had a very satisfactory tour this morning, despite a rather drizzly start. In Bathurst, Black-bellied Starling, African Olive Pigeon, Grey Sunbird and Brown-hooded Kingfisher were seen. On the backroads, we saw Wailing Cisticola, Rufous-naped Lark, Long-tailed Widowbird, African Stonechat and Black-crowned Tchagra. The road beyond the river valley produced White-backed Duck, Jackal Buzzard, Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Yellow-breasted Apalis and Narina Trogon. Along the last road back to Port Alfred, we saw Black Cuckoo.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

My four clients had a good morning birding on a private farm. The grasslands near the entrance yielded Black-winged Lap...
09/01/2025

My four clients had a good morning birding on a private farm. The grasslands near the entrance yielded Black-winged Lapwing and Barn Swallow. The first wooded valley we entered produced Crowned Hornbill, Black-headed Oriole, Green Wood Hoopoe and African Pygmy Kingfisher. At one stop out of the valley, we saw Black-bellied Starling, Brown-hooded Kingfisher and Amethyst Sunbird. The next valley, at various stops, Cape Batis, White Stork, Collared Sunbird and Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird were seen well, but a Narina Trogon only gave fleeting glances.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

My two clients enjoyed some decent birding near Bathurst this morning. Some stops around the village produced Grey Sunbi...
08/01/2025

My two clients enjoyed some decent birding near Bathurst this morning. Some stops around the village produced Grey Sunbird, Collared Sunbird, Lazy Cisticola, Southern Black Tit, Black Cuckooshrike, Dark-backed Weaver and Sombre Greenbul. From there we went on a back route, where White-browed Scrub Robin, Eastern Golden Weaver, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird were seen, as well as fleeting glances of Knysna Woodpecker. Our attention also briefly turned to Blue Riverjack (damselfly) and Eastern Blacktail (dragonfly). The remainder of the route back to Port Alfred wasn't as productive as we would have hoped, apart from Red-billed Teal and Jackal Buzzard.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

My client had a very successful morning's birding near Port Alfred and Bathurst. At the start of our route, we saw Great...
05/01/2025

My client had a very successful morning's birding near Port Alfred and Bathurst. At the start of our route, we saw Greater Striped Swallow, Secretarybird and Denham's Bustard, as well as Rufous-naped Lark and African Stonechat in the grasslands a little further on. The river valley was just as productive, with Knysna Woodpecker, Dark-backed Weaver, Yellow-breasted Apalis and Narina Trogon being seen. Out of the valley, we saw Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird, European Honey Buzzard, Black Cuckooshrike, Black Cuckoo and Olive Bushshrike. At our final stop in Bathurst, a Chorister Robin-Chat posed and sang in front of us.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

My three clients had a fantastic morning of birding the backroads near Bathurst. Our first stop and just beyond was prod...
04/01/2025

My three clients had a fantastic morning of birding the backroads near Bathurst. Our first stop and just beyond was productive indeed, with Grey Sunbird, Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Black Cuckooshrike, Crowned Hornbill and Yellow-breasted Apalis showing well. The grasslands nearby produced Black-winged Kite, Jackal Buzzard, Cape Longclaw and Wailing Cisticola. In the wooded valley, we had fleeting glances of Narina Trogon and Scaly-throated Honeyguide. More open habitat further on yielded Rufous-naped Lark, European Roller and Crowned Lapwing. Another patch of trees was where we had much better views of a somewhat more obliging Narina Trogon. From there, we headed for the estuary, where we saw Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Eurasian Whimbrel.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

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