Birders could, however, be missing out by not visiting some of the private reserves. These reserves may not be as well known, but they’re sure to serve as a wonderful weekend get-away (even if you live in the Overberg).

Many species – including bird species – are already on the move in the Overberg district as the climate changes. Now it’s up to us to protect these areas that species are moving into, to reduce the likelihood of extinctions.

In the Overberg’s agricultural landscape, fences are a common sight. But while they play an important role in managing livestock, there’s a flip side to them. In the past two weeks, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and Overberg Crane Group

Wetlands are known for their role in purifying water and preventing floods. But here in the Overberg – as around the world – they also provide an extremely important habitat for birds. There are many secretive rallid species that hide in wetlands here,

It’s not known how many Fynbos Buttonquail chicks have been documented over the years. But given how difficult it is to flush the adult birds, and how little is known about the Buttonquail’s breeding habits, this is believed to be a rare sighting

BirdLasser is an easy-to-use mobile application for you to log your bird sightings while in the field. It works like an electronic notebook – but it’s so much more. The app also logs the co-ordinates, time and lots of other information linked to your sighting.

Satellite tracking devices fitted on Blue Cranes in the Overberg is now providing vital information on how these cranes move about, and where they’re most at risk of powerline collisions. The African Crane Conservation Programme team

Changing landscapes in the Overberg over the past century have provided Blue Cranes with a new home – when their home habitat in the Grassland biome was transformed. But the future of Blue Cranes now rests in the hands of Overberg farmers.

Experienced birders enjoy using birding lingo while they’re out birding. And birding jargon can get quite confusing at times. So here’s a short list of some of the main terms to help you not only understand a birder, but even to sound like one.

If you see a pair of Secretarybirds (Sagittarius serpentarius) walking across our open grasslands and shrublands now, it’s likely their courtship is well under way. This is an important time for these majestic birds, which are listed

The only breeding population of the Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) in the Western Cape is found on Potberg Mountains (part of the De Hoop Nature Reserve). While Cape Vultures used to occur

Plastic baling twine, if left in the field, can become tangled around cranes’ legs. This hampers their movements, making it harder for them to eat, walk and preen. The plastic also cuts into the legs, causing painful wounds. Often the crane will try to pull the