Roofvogels in de westelijke Kaap

During a fortnight trip through the Western Cape in August and September 2004 25 raptor species were observed (Table 1). After visiting areas near Cape Town, the participants travelled up north through the Karoo, to the Kalahari. In this part of South Africa 37 species of raptors breed and 13 Palearctic migrants occur. Five species are endemic to southern Africa, i.e. Cape Vulture, Black Harrier, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Forest Buzzard and Jackal Buzzard, all of which were observed. In and round the Karoo several Martial Eagles were seen. By building its nest on electricity pylons, this huge eagle recently expanded its breeding range into the Karoo. Most raptors were seen in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, where species like Bateleur and Lappedfaced Vulture are recovering from losses incurred during the last century.