Napier Birding (Steve Peck) offers guided birding tours along the gravel roads surrounding Napier and around the De Mond Nature Reserve (just outside Bredasdorp). These Napier trips are either carried out from Steve’s own car (max 3 persons) or you can drive your own vehicle and stay in touch via two- way radio. These gravel roads and fields are home to some of the most iconic and sought after birds in the region. The Blue Crane is abundant here, with over 50% of the country’s population living and breeding in the Overberg region. The Agulhas Long billed Lark, Denham’s Bustard, Grey-winged Francolin and Karoo Korhaan can also be found. Seasonal raptors such as the Common Buzzard, Yellow-billed Kite and Black Harrier are spotted in amongst our regulars - Black-winged Kite, Rock Kestrel, Jackal Buzzard and Spotted Eagle Owl. ​ In winter when the rains fall, small dams and streams overflow producing water-logged fields and shallow pans, attracting visitors such as the Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Pied Avocet, Kingfishers and a variety of Ducks and Plovers. Napier Birding currently offers four hour guided tours around the gravel roads at a rate of R600 per person with a slight discount for more than one person. ​ De Mond Nature Reserve sits just outside Bredasdorp in the Agulhas Plains region, and tours around this reserve are best viewed between November and January. It is a magnet for vagrant birds that enjoy the shallow waters and sandbanks. Birds such as the Damara Tern, Caspian Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit can be found this time of year. The sandbanks also attract a variety of other terns and gulls such as the Arctic, Common, Caspian and Greater-crested Tern. White-fronted and Kittlitz’s Plover are resident at the reserve. South Africa’s iconic Black Oystercatcher can be found all year around, alongside Cape and Bank Cormorants, which can sometimes be seen in their thousands along the sandbanks. The reserve also offers a scenic walk-through coastal fynbos where Sunbirds, Bokmakierie, Bulbuls, etc. can be spotted. The endangered Black Harrier has made its home in the area and can be regularly seen from the reserve or along the long gravel road leading to it. This year we even had an Osprey take up residence in the area. Guided Trips around De Mond are currently R700 per person. We will meet at the reserve car park. Rates are subject to change. Steve is a well-known bird photographer and vice-chair of a local birding club. He has been guiding for over ten years in this area and has had numerous images and articles published in local and national magazines and books. Napier Birding welcomes all levels of birding experience. To check on current rates and availability or just chat about making your trip exactly what you want, call him on 081 817 3223 or e-mail napierbirding@gmail.com