Wavecrest Birding

Enjoy the Birdlife

Wavecrest is situated at a crystal clear estuary, fed by two mangrove-lined rivers which meander through pristine dune forest. The hotel is situated on the southern banks of the estuary and is the ideal starting point for all birding.

Wavecrest has a unique setting - all the following habitat types are easily accessible and within close walking distance of the hotel:
Coastal grasslands
Open ocean (with high hills providing vantage points)
estaurine mudflats
mangrove swamp forest
coastal dune forests (the largest example of pristine climax dune forest in       the Transkei)
Rocky & sandy shores
Mixed coastal woodland
freshwater wetland

The rivers are quiet (no watersport allowed) and we offer birding boat cruises daily. The rivers can also be explored in comfortable, stable canoes and are exceptional for kingfishers - 7 species are regularly seen. Of these, the most sought after is the Mangrove Kingfisher, which breed here in summer and sightings can be virtually guaranteed. A variety of waders can be encountered on the mudflats. Upper reaches of the river may yield African finfoot, Mountain Wagtail, Crowned Eagle (breed here) and Whitebacked Night Heron.

The large tracts of Dune forest may produce specials such as Spotted Thrush (summer breeding here), Narina Trogon (common), Buffspotted Flufftail, Pygmy kingfisher, Olive Bush -Shrike, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher and Knysna Woodpecker. Barrett's Warbler, Grey and Olive Sunbird, Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike and Knysna Warbler can be spotted on the forest edges.

The open grasslands are good for Black-winged Lapwing, Cape and Yellow-throated Longclaw, European Roller and Amur Falcon. Grassy hills above the coast are a good vantage point for open ocean specials. The mixed coastal woodland is extremely productive, with species such as Chinspot Batis, Black-crowned Tchagra and Red-capped Robin-Chat being common.

Recent records of interest include a Bat Hawk and Franklin's Gull.

One of the highlights of a stay at Wavecrest is the Crowned Cranes (photo below) which come down to roost on the beach right in front of the hotel in the evening.

          

They spend a good deal of time dancing and displaying before settling down for the evening. They also provide wonderful photographic opportunities, especially in winter. In the 80's flocks numbered 200 birds, but these numbers are down dramatically at present due to persecution by local hunters.