South Africa Tour: Day 43 West Coast Fossil Park

Day 43 of our virtual South Africa Tour and we visit the West Coast Fossil Park. We will see the fossils of bears, sabre-tooth cats, short-necked giraffes and the many other exotic animals which inhabited the west coast area some 5 million years ago.

The fossil site is world-renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved fossil faunal remains that date to the terminal Miocene/early Pliocene (circa 5.2 million years ago).

A national and international team of researchers are currently unravelling the fascinating and unique history of fossils from the West Coast Fossil Park and attempting to recreate the environment and climate of the west coast some 5 million years ago. At this time many animals that are now extinct, such as saber-toothed cats, short-necked giraffes, hunting hyenas and African bears roamed the west coast which then had a more subtropical climate with lush, riverine forests and open grasslands.

https://fossilpark.org.za/

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South Africa Tour: Day 42 Birds Cape West Coast.

Day 42 of our virtual South Africa Tour and we enjoy the magnificent Birds of the Cape West Coast. 

The Cape West Coast offers a variety of top birding destinations, with no less than seven Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) registered with BirdLife International. The registration of two wetland systems as RAMSAR sites emphasizes the importance of the region for waterfowl and the region has the reputation for producing sightings of rare and vagrant migratory waders during summer. 

More than 300 bird species have been identified in The West Coast National Park which is probably best known for the thousands of migratory waders in summer.

Terrestrial birding is also amazing. The Rhenosterveld (a type of fynbos) of the Park represents of the last large remnants of this habitat type, and hosts good numbers of the vulnerable Black Harrier. Other sought-after species include White-throated Canary, Grey-winged Francolin, Karoo Lark, White-backed Mousebird, Karoo Prinia, Karoo Scrub-Robin, Grey Tit and many more.

Birding around the Geelbek area of the park is superb and there are two well-placed hides which overlook salt marshes and mudflats and are the best spots to view waders. Do not underestimate the boardwalks to these hides, as these offer very good birding and photographic. 

All photos by Andriette Pretorius in Langebaan. Thank you for sharing your lovely photos with me!!!!