one of the best bird viewing spots

Bird Watching in Langebaan.

Few know that Bird Watching in Langebaan is a well-known destination among bird lovers for its excellent bird watching opportunities and has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA), with more than 300 bird species. The Langebaan lagoon is a wetland of international importance, for the thousands of seabirds that use the lagoon’s islands, salt marshes, and beaches. So grab your binoculars, bird guide, and EXPLORE!

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Iibird watching in langebaan- view the flamingos in nature as seen in this picture. The pink flamingos in a group in the shallow waters of the langebaan lagoon

Bird Watching in Langebaan as a Birding Route

The West Coast National Park has a great deal to offer to both local and visiting birders.  Bird Watching in Langebaan as a  Birding Route starts at Geelbek, where you can find two well-placed hides that overlook the salt marshes and mudflats. It is the best viewing spot to see the mix of waders feeding, as the incoming and receding tides expose the mudflats. At the Seeberg hide, the best time is before or after high tide. At Abrahamskraal, this hide provides all-day viewing at this freshwater hole.

With over 35 000 birds in summer, you can look forward to spotting not only Cape cormorant, pied avocet, grey plover, gulls, terns, sandpipers, red knots, African penguin, black oystercatcher, black harrier, but many more. Within the National Park, a variety of bush birding is also available, and outside the Park, the Black Eagle can be seen at the Olifantskop quarry cliffs, close to Club Mykonos.

Viewing Hides in the West Coast Park

Iibird watching in langebaan from geelbek hide. The wooden structure build for bird watching at langebaan

Geelbek Hide

Iitwo disable people in wheelchairs on their way to bird hide for bird watching, in langebaan over the colourful sea mashes

Disabled friendly access

Iithe wooden seeberg bird hide on the beach in langebaan, close to the sea to watch the birds.

Seeberg Hide

Iithe wooden boardwalk to the wooden bird hide at abrahamskraal waterhole in langebaan

Abrahamskraal Hide

Iimap of the west coast national park indicating bird hides for viewing

Map of West Coast Park

Iia lot of waders in langebaan feeding in the shallow waters of the salt marshes

Variety of Birds, such as the Wanders

MUST SEE : Langebaan Summer residents - the Wanders

One of the highlights on the annual birding calendar is to view the migrant wanders at Langebaan. In March, these birds will gain weight rapidly, to leave in April, on their intercontinental travel to the Northern Hemisphere. This flight will take 8 days, over 13 000 km, cross the Sahara desert, and end as far as Siberia. Breeding time is short, before winter snow, and by early July, the males return on their reverse journey. Females will follow in August, and juveniles will return in October. So, GO to the West Coast National Park and SEE the wanderers and embrace their return, every year, of these incredible migratory birds, with respect and affection for what they endure during every tough migration.  

If more information is required, visit the following sites:

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