Tim Cockcroft Birding - Guided Birding Tours

28/12/2024

My client from Scotland returned for another morning of birding near Port Alfred. We visited a private farm in the area, which was quite productive. The bush and forest where we began, produced Burchell's Coucal, Chorister Robin-Chat and Knysna Turaco, all in the same tree at different times. On our way down into a valley, we paused to see Common Buzzard and Knysna Woodpecker. At different spots in the valley, we saw Black Cuckoo, Narina Trogon, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Crowned Hornbill and Black Cuckooshrike. Up and out of the valley, we had some different birds. Denham's Bustard, Plain-backed Pipit, African Pipit, African Jacana, Black-winged Lapwing and Crowned Lapwing.
Please note that additional photos in this post are courtesy of my client, David Duncan, who has graciously filled the gap with photos of some species my camera missed.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

27/12/2024

My three clients' morning of birding was an enjoyable one indeed. Despite the heat and humidity, we saw quite a bit. We started in Bathurst, then headed for a scenic river valley. Lesser Striped Swallow, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Black-bellied Starling, Black-collared Barbet and Olive Bushshrike showed well near the start of our route. In the river valley, we saw Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Dark-backed Weaver and a brief fly-past view of Knysna Woodpecker. An attractive distraction from the birds came in the form of Blue Riverjack, an endemic damselfly. Out of the valley, we had good sightings of Cape Starling, South African Shelduck and Rufous-naped Lark, while Fan-tailed Widowbird and Wailing Cisticola showed well, but kept their distance. One last detour into another river valley was where seven year old Chris got to see his most wanted bird, Narina Trogon. That made a good ending for the tour.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

26/12/2024

My four clients had an afternoon if birding near Port Alfred. White-throated Swallow, African Stonechat and Cape Weaver were seen along the first road. The river valley yielded Green Wood Hoopoe, African Paradise Flycatcher and Grey Sunbird. The road back to town produced Narina Trogon, White-faced Whistling Duck and Malachite Kingfisher. In town, we finished off the birding sightings of Knysna Turaco, Collared Sunbird and Tawny-flanked Prinia.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

26/12/2024

My two clients were pleased with a morning of birding. Near the beginning of our route, we saw Hamerkop, Lazy Cisticola, Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Grey Sunbird and African Firefinch. Further along, we were treated to good sightings of European Honey Buzzard, Wailing Cisticola, White-backed Duck and Black-winged Lapwing. Near the end of the route, we had good views of Black Cuckoo, Collared Sunbird and Narina Trogon.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

25/12/2024

24/12/2024

My client enjoyed her morning out near Port Alfred and Bathurst. We had a delayed start, due to having to assess the weather vs the forecast from the day before. Black Cuckoo and Narina Trogon were seen at our first stop. In the next valley, the highlights were Collared Sunbird, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Grey Sunbird, Olive Woodpecker and Cape Batis. The grasslands, despite a brief sprinkle of rain, yielded Barn Swallow, Long-tailed Widowbird, Rufous-naped Lark and African Stonechat. On our way to Bathurst, and in the village, we had good views of Lazy Cisticola, Chorister Robin-Chat and Black Saw-wing.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

23/12/2024

My three clients, two of them returning visitors from Florida, USA, had a decent morning's birding near Port Alfred and Bathurst. The farm where we started produced a variety of habitats and birds. Black Cuckoo and Olive Woodpecker were seen in the same tree, with Collared Sunbird also making an appearance nearby. Other birds seen in and near the forest habitat included Narina Trogon, Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Chorister Robin-Chat and Black-backed Puffback. Up in the more open areas, we saw African Harrier-Hawk, Plain Pipit and Rufous-naped Lark. From there, we headed for a second farm. Red-billed Teal, White-breasted Cormorant and Village Weaver were just some of the birds seen here. Bathurst village wasn't quite as productive as one would have hoped, but it was special to see Olive Bushshrike there. On the way back to Port Alfred, a Booted Eagle flew over the vehicle.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

22/12/2024

My three clients really enjoyed their full morning of birding one of my back routes. Crowned Hornbill, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Pin-tailed Whydah, Spotted Thick-knee and Lesser Striped Swallow were seen near the beginning of the route. A little further on, we saw Terrence Brownbul, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Narina Trogon and African Olive Pigeon. As the habitat started opening up, we had sightings of Cinnamon-breasted Bunting, Western House Martin, African Hoopoe and Wailing Cisticola. A brief stop at a roadside pond produced White-backed Duck, Whiskered Tern Red-knobbed Coot, among others. Another stretch of open grassland yielded Secretarybird, Ant-eating Chat, Pearl-breasted Swallow and Jackal Buzzard. We then descended into a scenic valley, where Black-bellied Starling, Knysna Turaco and Knysna Woodpecker were seen. After leaving the valley, the habitat opened up one more time, where we saw Rock Kestrel, Denham's Bustard, Black Cuckooshrike, Long-tailed Widowbird and Lazy Cisticola. We finished our birding in Bathurst, where we had good views Olive Bushshrike and Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

21/12/2024

Four clients had a good morning out birding, despite the erratic weather. Not long after our first stop, we had to scurry back to the vehicle as the rain got just unpleasant enough to continue looking for birds. This rain came and went as the morning progressed and was patchy in places. We headed for Bathurst, where we finally got some decent birding in. Green-backed Camaroptera, Grey Sunbird, Dark-backed Weaver, Cape Batis, African Green Pigeon, Black Saw-wing, Lesser Striped Swallow and Terrestrial Brownbul were seen here. Another shower of rain meant we had to miss some stops, so we headed out on a backroad. Here we saw Bar-throated Apalis, Olive Bushshrike, Rufous-naped Lark, Pin-tailed Whydah and Long-tailed Widowbird. One last stop produced Lazy Cisticola, and on our way back to Port Alfred, we had fairly good sightings of Narina Trogon.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

20/12/2024

My three clients had a good morning out birding on a private farm near Port Alfred. Rufous-naped Lark, Dark-backed Weaver, Grey Sunbird, Crowned Hornbill, Cape Batis and Burchell's Coucal were some of the first sightings of the morning. The open areas on the farm produced African Pipit, Common Buzzard and White Stork. Grey Heron, African Fish Eagle and Common Greenshank were seen along the river edge, while in the bush nearby, we had sightings of Klaas's Cuckoo, Southern Black Tit, Black Cuckooshrike and Narina Trogon.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

19/12/2024

My four clients enjoyed a birding excursion with a difference this morning. They asked me to accompany them in their boat up the West Kleinemonde river and help with bird identification. Birds seen at the start of the boat ride included White-breasted Cormorant and Pied Kingfisher, with Thick-billed Weaver calling from the reeds nearby. Above the main road bridge, we saw Common Ringed Plover, Yellow-billed Duck, Common Greenshank, Common Tern and Wood Sandpiper. A feeding frenzy of Little Egret and Great Egret kept us entertained for a while. As we got further upstream, the weather and rain got worse, and we almost aborted the trip. However, as we were heading back, it stopped raining and the clouds lifted somewhat. We turned once again and resumed our trip upstream. The water was calm and the scenery beautiful. Raptors included African Fish Eagle and Jackal Buzzard. Eastern Golden Weaver were nesting in the reeds, and in the bush and forest alongside the river, we saw Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Grey Sunbird, Knysna Turaco, Brown-hooded Kingfisher and Burchell's Coucal. On our way back downstream, we had good views of Narina Trogon. There were two calling at one spot, and one much further away further back upstream. As we returned to base, the wind came up and the water made for a bumpy ride back. I hope to do more step-on river guiding some day soon again.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

18/12/2024

This afternoon's tour was basic, for two novice birders. We visited some spots around Port Alfred, then headed out on a short back route. Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Collared Sunbird, Cape White-eye and Tawny-flanked Prinia were seen in town, and the highlight of the back route was a good sighting of a Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird. At another stop, we had brief views of both Olive and Orange-breasted Bushshrikes.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

18/12/2024

My three clients enjoyed a rather productive morning's birding. The first part of our route started off a bit slow, but activity picked up events. Crowned Lapwing, Red-necked Spurfowl, Amur Falcon, Lazy Cisticola and Grey Sunbird showed well, while the Southern Tchagras teased us with glimpses and glances. Another productive stop yielded Narina Trogon, Knysna Woodpecker and Southern Red-fronted Tinkerbird. The first stretch of grasslands produced Rufous-naped Lark, Denham's Bustard and Secretarybird. The wooded valley was where we saw Green-backed Camaroptera, Yellow-breasted Apalis and fly-by glimpses of Scaly-throated Honeyguide. Our final stop at the estuary yielded a little less than usual, but Grey Plover, Sanderling, Ruff, Whimbrel, Little Stint and Goliath Heron were just some of the species seen.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

17/12/2024

My three clients, a father, son and grandson, had a productive morning's birding. We started at a private farm, where there was quite a bit of activity. Along the forested stream. A Chorister Robin-Chat entertained us with a variety of melodious calls, includes plenty of mimicry. Also present were Ashy Flycatcher, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Knysna Turaco and Narina Trogon. Moving to the more open areas of the farm, we saw Olive Bushshrike, African Dusky Flycatcher, African Stonechat, Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow and Black-winged Lapwing. Moving on from the farm, we headed for the grasslands via a back road, where we saw Long-tailed Widowbird, Wailing Cisticola and Black-crowned Tchagra. From there, we stopped at another farm, where Grey Crowned Crane, Whiskered Tern, Reed Cormorant, Red-billed Teal and others were present. Not much was seen on the way back to Port Alfred, although it was good to see three European Bee-eaters, not common in the immediate area.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

16/12/2024

My clients, a family of four, were pleased with their morning of birding. We started in the Bathurst area, with sightings of Black-bellied Starling, Collared Sunbird, Black-backed Puffback and Lesser Striped Swallow getting things off to a good start. A bit further along our route, we saw Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Spectacled Weaver, Chorister Robin-Chat, Bar-throated Apalis, Green-backed Camaroptera and Brown Scrub Robin. From there, we headed for the river valley. Yellow-breasted Apalis and Narina Trogon were highlights here. The grasslands produced Crowned Lapwing, Jackal Buzzard, Common Buzzard, African Stonechat, Hamerkop, Wailing Cisticola, Fan-tailed Widowbird and Long-tailed Widowbird. On the way to the estuary yielded Diederik Cuckoo and Knysna Woodpecker. At the estuary itself, the Little Stints and Common Ringed Plovers were on the mudflats feeding together, while at the water's edge, Eurasian Whimbrel, Grey Plover and Black-winged Stilt also did the same.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

15/12/2024

My client from Scotland was very satisfied with the birding near Port Alfred this morning. Early sightings were of Yellow-billed Kite, Black-crowned Tchagra, Southern Tchagra, Lazy Cisticola and Bar-throated Apalis. It was also good to see some newly arrived Amur Falcons. Further along our route, we saw Dark-backed Weaver, White-browed Scrub Robin, Red-knobbed Coot, White-backed Duck, Wailing Cisticola and African Stonechat. By the time we got into the first river valley, it was hot and the birds were already sheltering. However, we did manage to spot Olive Bushshrike, Brown Snake Eagle, Yellow-throated Bush Sparrow and Golden-breasted Bunting. One last valley produced Half-collared Kingfisher, African Paradise Flycatcher and a Long-crested Eagle.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

12/12/2024

One of my regular clients returned to enjoyed a full morning of birding. Our starting point today was the estuary, where Common Ringed Plover, Greater Sandplover, Little Stint, Grey Heron, Whimbrel and Black-winged Stilt fed on the mud banks. The back route from there took us through scrubby and wooded habitats. Black-collared Barbet, Black Cuckoo and Green-backed Camaroptera were seen at one stop, while the more open grassland further on yielded Malachite Sunbird, Rufous-naped Lark and Wailing Cisticola. We then visited a private farm, where flocks of Reed Cormorant and Whiskered Tern were seen. The Terns were particularly busy, foraging and resting on old poles in the dam. Another memorable sighting was that of a Klaas's Cuckoo in the river valley. Other birds seen along the rest of the route were Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Black Cuckooshrike and Black Saw-wing, as well as glimpses of a Chorister Robin-Chat. Back in Port Alfred, we went looking for Knysna Warbler, which we found, but only got fleeting glances.
Please visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on my local birdwatching tours.

10/12/2024

A very warm WELCOME to all our visitors! If you're looking for something to do while on holiday, consider a birdwatching tour in the area. Here is some information on the tours, prices and also gift vouchers.
You can also visit https://timwcroft.wixsite.com/timcockcroftbirding for more information on the tours and birding experience in and around Port Alfred. Please feel free to share!