27/07/2026
Look who wandered through the vineyards this past weekend, a Southern Ground Hornbill, one of South Africa's most iconic and threatened birds. Endangered locally, vulnerable globally and the largest hornbill species on Earth (standing over a metre tall!).
Unlike most hornbills, they spend their days on the ground rather than in the trees, hunting insects, snakes, and small reptiles. Announcing themselves with a deep, booming call that carries for kilometres.
Sightings in the Stellenbosch area are rare, so spotting one here at Warwick is special. Based on that solid red throat, we're guessing this handsome fellow is an adult male (the ladies sport a violet-blue patch).
Nature doesn't just help make our wine, it shows up to visit too.🍷🌿
📸: Carlo Prins
