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Have anyone seen bearded vultures around there recently?

Not sure if you know, but the park hopes to put a hide at the feeding location in the near future. Both Cape and Bearded Vultures are seen at the site fairly regularly. Was last there near the end of November, but there was only Cape at the site.

We did see a long-crested eagle between Clarens and the rest camp. Although not on the park list, this bird appears to be resident in the area. Wood Owl calling at night at Glen Reenen was another species one wouldn't associate with the park.

The mountain drives were teaming with grassland birds in full breeding plummage and calling up a storm.

Thanks Owl yeat again,

The eagle and owl you've mentioned is a nice surprise! How many bearded vultures are estimated to be around there? Great to hear about the future bird hide.

KIind regards.

Seem to be alot of sign of forest-associated bird species colonising FreeState, - "plantations or garden trees ??" - reference to the eagle and wood owl.?

wj

There's a complete list of Golden Gate animals on the SANParks website.

Restio, are those all of the animals found in the park or is there a full list on the site somewhere?

Hiya WAC! I'm pretty sure that this is the full list (well, according to the website it is! )

Thanks!! Must have missed it

An interesting abberation from Golden Gate...CUSTOS 1991!

(Read the fine print.)

We visited the Golden Gate National Park during the period 27 to 30 April 2012.
The landscape is beautiful and the weather was really good.
We traveled both the loops in the "game areas" on a few occasions unfortunately we did not see very much - only 5 Baboons and 1 Black Wildebeest and some Zebra droppings with NO raptors circling the skies.
On previous visits we saw herds of Springbok, Black Wildebeest, Blesbuck, Eland, and Zebra, a few Bearded Vultures and Black Eagles.
Where have all the animals disappeared to - as I have stated the weather was fine, therefore the was no reason why they would have sought refuge from the elements.
Just maybe it will be a good idea if the recent game counts could be made available on this thread.

Seems strange gmlsmit. We were in Golden Gate last August and then again in November and had a different experience.

In August there was snow and it was -4 degrees and yet we had some good sightings. Guess it comes down to the right place at the right time.

In November Sharifa even saw bearded vultures

Agreed it was strange to me as well this is why I am asking the question.

The hide is up , windows are in (one way glass) the path way from the car park is just about complete, it is a banked path way so not to disturb the birds. There is even a room that pro phto poeple can hire. will try and get some photos. Natal HR`S got the funds together with the help of the like of Hullets.

Did you drive the road to the Basotho Cultural Village and the area around there - the game seemed to be concentrated in that area but we did see game around Glen Reenen too.

Just saw your post GuyP

We drove up there as well!