TOYOTA CONNECT


Red-knobbed coot


MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY, GAUTENG


If you live in Gauteng and you’re short of time (or money), then drive out east from Johannesburg to Marievale Bird Sanctuary, just outside Nigel. It’s a 1 000ha area of wetlands – reedbeds, shallow open water and grasslands – that somehow still survives amid roads, pipelines and


railways. It’s a superb destination for spotting water birds and entrance is free of charge, so arm yourself with binoculars, sturdy walking shoes and the birder’s essential – patience – and check out some of the 240 species. There’s a pleasant picnic and braai area with ablution facilities and four bird hides overlooking small dams. If you’re still keen to add to your


checklist, stay overnight at one of two cottages that can be booked through the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve.


Because this is a wetland sanctuary with 65 water bird species, look out for large numbers of reed cormorants, red-knobbed coots and yellow-billed ducks, but Marievale is also known for its herons – the Goliath, black, squacco and purple ones.


If you’re very lucky or very experienced, you could also find a marsh or grass owl, a curlew sandpiper, a slaty egret or a black-winged pratincole.


Marievale birding special: One of the most elusive of all South African birds, the red-chested flufftail.


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