The town of Knysna, immortalized in several bird names and perched on the edge of the Knysna Lagoon, lies midway between Wilder-ness and Nature’s Valley. The N2 crosses the northern end of the lagoon, providing a vantage point from which to scan for the sometimes large numbers of waterbirds. You may wish to visit the famous Knysna Heads, guarding the lagoon mouth, as much for their scenic attraction as for Knysna Warbler, which is resident in the coastal undergrowth between the parking area and the sea. The signposted turn-off to the Heads is in the commercial centre of Knysna, 8.5 km east of the bridge over the lagoon. Check the nearby Woodbourne Lagoon for an excellent selection of waders and other waterbirds. Typical forest and forest edge birding is available close to town, and a wide variety of options is available, including the Pledge Nature Reserve and Diepwalle Forest Walk. Consult Knysna Tourism for further inform-ation on the forest walks.

The popular holiday town of Plettenberg Bay offers a pleasant selection of waterbirds on the Keurbooms River estuary and Bitou River. The nearby Robberg Peninsula holds a number of fynbos specials. Although this area does not have extensive forests, enquire about the Piesang River Nature Trail on the edge of town. Southern Tchagra may be found in the scrubby coastal areas.