De Vasselot – Natures Valley

18 April 2026

Trip Report

by Patrick Raymond

After a wet and stormy night, we arrived at the De Vasselot camping area at 07h30, to be greeted by a damp but sunny morning. As a result of the inclement weather the previous night, we were pleasantly surprised by the turnout. 

We split into two groups, with one heading into the camping area and the other moving into the forest via the boardwalk. Even though most the migrants have departed, we managed to identify 40 different species with a couple of notable specials – Grey Cuckoo-shrike, African Fish-eagle, African Olive Pigeon and the “star of the show”, the White-starred Robin. (The full bird list for the morning is attached). 

For once the weather played its part, with the sun shining and no wind, which resulted in a very pleasant birding morning with an enthusiastic bunch of fellow birders., most of whom “re-convened” at Natures way for breakfast and coffee. 

Together with some of our more popular venues, we will continue to look for new spots in and around Plett and will keep our members informed accordingly. 

We look forward to seeing you at the next outing! 

*Click on the images below to enlarge.

Bird List:

  1. Apalis, Bar-throated
  2. Barbet, Black-collared
  3. Batis, Cape
  4. Boubou, Southern
  5. Brownbul, Terrestrial
  6. Bush-shrike, Olive
  7. Buzzard, Jackal
  8. Camaroptera, Green-backed
  9. Canary, Forest
  10. Cisticola, Levaillant’s
  11. Crow, Cape
  12. Crow, Pied
  13. Cuckoo-shrike, Grey
  14. Drongo, Fork-tailed
  15. Fish-eagle, African
  16. Flycatcher, African Dusky
  17. Greenbul, Sombre
  18. Guineafowl, Helmeted
  19. Ibis, Hadeda
  20. Kingfisher, Giant
  21. Martin, Rock
  22. Mousebird, Speckled
  23. Oriole, Black-headed
  24. Pigeon, African Olive
  25. Puffback, Black-backed
  26. Raven, White-necked
  27. Robin, White-starred
  28. Robin-chat, Chorister
  29. Saw-wing, Black
  30. Starling, Red-winged
  31. Sunbird, Amethyst
  32. Sunbird, Collared
  33. Sunbird, Greater Double-collared
  34. Thrush, Olive
  35. Turaco, Knysna
  36. Warbler, Yellow-throated Woodland
  37. White-eye, Cape
  38. Wood-hoopoe, Green
  39. Woodpecker, Knysna
  40. Woodpecker, Olive

*Click on the images below to enlarge.

COMMITTEE:

CHAIRPERSON: Ann Mawer – 082 446 4200

VICE-CHAIRPERSON: Patrick Raymond – 083 377 9580

TREASURER: Darryl Harrison – 082 651 8985

Jenny Wilson – 083 388 5006

SECRETARY:  Pippa van Noppen – 082 878 6662

HONORARY PRESIDENT:  Mike Bridgeford – 083 266 7634

NEWSLETTER EDITOR / EVENTS: John Home – 082 554 5002

COMMUNICATION DESIGN: Stephan van Wyk – 072 554 3995

Jarryd Dunn – 079 978 0618

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