SANParks.org Forums

Hi, Heres a bird that, at the time I was rather excited about because I thought it was a Cape rock jumper, now I'm not so sure, could it be a juvenile? It was at the top of the Swartberg pass hopping around the rocks on the 11th February.
Best regards Neil

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/237 ... 91b7_m.jpg

Neil, are you talking about the Swartberg Pass near Ceres in the Western Cape?

If so this is a Cape Rock Jumper as Mocking Cliff Chat does not occur in that area. Cape Rock Jumper also show some white in the wing and your bird seems to show white underneath the outer tail feathers which also points to Cape Rock Jumper.

Do you have a larger photo?

This is definately a fem/juv Cape Rock-jumper. The female Mocking Cliff-chat does not have a white shoulder patch or white underail feathers.

I am planning my December holiday in Kleinmond, Stellenbosch, Montagu and Cape Town.

I simply MUST see the Cape Rockjumper while there! It has eluded me on every trip (my ultimate "dipper"). Therefore I would really be grateful if some tips could be given as to where to go?

Thanks!

I know there are a few reliable sites around there. I had great views of the birds at Sir Lowry's Pass.

Fernkloof Nature Reserve has them, so if you head for Hermanus....
And Joel found them elsewhere...
(And beat me posting.... )

Thanks for the tips! That Gantouw Pass spot has seen me on numerous occassions but no luck Will try it again (lovely spot to go for a hike) and will also try Fernkllof (even though my friend Imax has tried that spot on numerous occasions with no luck!).

I also read that between Rooiels and Pringle Bay they go all the way down to the coast and even nest that low down, so will try my luck there

This December the Rockjumper is mine!!!

If you have the book SA Bird Finder go to the Rooiels site described on page 40 or follow the Rooiels link on this page

Personally my success rate for Cape Rock Jumper at this site is 80% and Ground Woodpecker 70%. Also a relative easy walk (short up hill back to car), no toilet, lovely view, can be hot in December

These coordinates will take you to a spot 3/4 way down the track described in SABird Finder and the website above if you would like to have a look on Google Earth
34°19'18.04"S 18°49'28.16"E

Key here for both species is keeping your ears open for the calls and then scan the mountain slope for activity

Great info, fellas!

Moegaai, please post a species account and your pix when you get back, okay...

Moegaai also see my short report on the Rooiels spot which I just posted here

Wow, thanks Francois! VERY valuable info and now I really can't wait to get down there!!! My mother lives in Kleinmond, so have in the past done a lot of hiking from the Palmiet River bridge into the mountains there, where I've had regular sightings of the Ground Woodpecker (and also my first sighting of a Peregrine Falcon).

I really hope to add this dastardly Rockjumper this year!!! Seems their behaviour is very similar to that of the Drakensberg variant in being very "tame" - saw the latter species at the car park in Witsieshoek where you start the hike up to the Tugela Falls.

Johan, will definitely remember to do a trip report! I'm on 480 right now and I'm hoping to hit 500 before the year is out (long shot, I know!). So will also be spending 3 days in Montagu area.

By the way, we yesterday returned from an EXCELLENT and VERY successful trip to KZN where I added amongst others Green Malkoha, Livingstone's Turaco, Brown-throated Weaver and Black-throated Wattle-eye! Look out for a report from either Imax or myself soon!

Apparently, as told by a birder friend, especially the male birds appear "tame" or inquisitive during the breeding season. The investigate everything and everyone in their area. I saw Cape Rock Jumpers come off the slopes to birders in the road during June/July before.

I trust you will get to see them this time round.

Went for my 5th try at Rooi Els for the Rock Jumper with no luck. Does anyone have some tips on what the best season, time of day etc is for the Rock Jumpers? Read on the internet that midday is best but any first hand experience to make my next hour long drive to get there worthwhile :-)

Haven't posted before... read a lot though, thanks in advance for the advice :-)

Hi Adele. Sorry I can't help you, but I am going to try at Rooi Els tomorrow. If I find them, I will let you know.

I have found the Rock Jumpers at various times of the day but it seems better when the sun starts hitting the mountain, maybe because things heat up.

I was unable to see the Rock Jumpers on my two previous visits but did hear them call high up. TG also took a guy to Rooiels a couple of weeks ago but was unable to see them also hearing them high up the slope.

It is breeding season for them now and maybe they are keeping close to they nest sites? One year during July I had the males come right up to me to within less than 3 meters.

A visit to Rooiels is always nice but maybe if you do not want to take the hour journey subscribe to CapeBirdNet and wait untill people start reporting seeing them again.

To subscribe to the email list send a blank message to:
capebirdnet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Or perhaps Touareg has some good news for us?