SWARTKOPS ESTUARY

Some areas around the Swartkops estuary are decidedly dodgy so it is best to go in groups and be aware. However, Amsterdamhoek and Tippers Creek are both nice safe areas. See specials like goliath heron and great egret there.

Driving from Amsterdamhoek to Swartkops before the bridge there are little ponds on your right which are the best place for marsh sandpipers locally in summer.

You can park here and walk up the main mudbank at low tide to the very end where you get very rare waders such as great sandplover, eurasian curlew, red knot and terek sandpiper.

At low tide, the mudflats opposite Swartkops are also good for waders.

Then take the turnoff from Swartkops to Redhouse and just before the bridge over the road, turn left towards the old power station. There is a permanent vlei there which sometimes has southern pochard, white-faced whistling duck and African jacana. Then drive under the bridge and on the left are salt pans – for greater flamingo, lesser flamingo, hartlaubs gull and osprey.

Just before the next junction on the left, a common redshank has been hanging around at the moment and, despite its “common” moniker, it is a real rarity. The vleis along the Redhouse to Perseverance road are also good spots.

Good birds include yellow-billed egret, African jacana, maccoa duck, fulvous duck, black heron and sqacco heron.

ý Birdlife Eastern Cape runs a public birding walk through Settlers Park on the first Saturday of each month. Security is arranged and the first outing for next year is in February. Contact Nixon at e-mail: andynixon@telkomsa.net or visit http://www.easterncapebirding.co.za/guides.html or call 079-587-5110.