Paarl Bird Sanctuary

According to  Drakenstein Municipality you can enjoy a quiet moment in the 45 hectares of paradise with its 140 different species of birds. Paarl Bird Sanctuary attracts a wide variety of waterfowl. Together with the waterfowl the reserve is also home to a number of species associated with

the thicker vegetation growing on the northern and western sides as well as a number of local and national rarities.

Discover a world of unique birds. Set in the heart of the Cape Winelands, this reserve area offers a mixture of wetland and mountain bird-watching.

The higher ground and its scrub hold interesting species such as the ground woodpecker, jackal buzzard and the often difficult to find Protea canary.

Like many other sewage works in southern Africa, the Paarl Bird Sanctuary, managed by the Drakenstein Municipality, attracts a wide variety of waterfowl. Together with the waterfowl the reserve is also home to a number of species associated with the thicker vegetation growing on the northern and western sides as well as a number of local and national rarities.

A good gravel road allows access to all parts of the Sanctuary as well as a number of hides overlooking the open water. Open water on some of the larger ponds hold large numbers of waterfowl including Cape Shoveler, Maccoa Duck, Southern Pochard, Cape Teal, African Black Duck and Black-necked Grebe. On the edges, check for the diminutive Malachite Kingfisher darting from reed beds. The largest pond holds Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo as well as breeding Hartlaub's Gull and Grey-headed Gull.

Reed beds surrounding the hides hold Levaillant's Cisticola, Cape Weaver, African Reed-Warbler, 
Little Rush-Warbler and Lesser Swamp-Warbler.

Time spent in the hides watching the reed beds may be rewarded with views of African Purple Swamphen, Black Crake, Little Bittern and African Rail.

A heronry on the eastern side of the Sanctuary holds breeding African Darter, Cattle Egret and Grey Heron. 
Birders present in the early morning or late afternoon might be rewarded with views of Black-crowned Night-Heron returning or leaving their roosts.

The shoreline of many of the ponds hold a number of wading species including Three-banded Plover, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Water Thick-knee.

The thicker alien vegetation on the western and northern sides of the reserve holds species such as Swee Waxbill, African Dusky Flycatcher, Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher.

Check the skies above the ponds for Brown-throated Martin, White-rumped Swift, Greater Striped Swallow, Pearl-breasted Swallow and a number of birds of prey including African Fish-Eagle, African Goshawk and Black Sparrowhawk.

Paarl Bird Sanctuary has had its fair share of rarities and local vagrants in the last few years. The sanctuary has played host to both local and national rarities such as an American Purple Gallinule, Goliath Heron and Greater Painted-snipe.

My personal list of photographed birds at the Paarl Bird Sanctuary is:

Little Grebe, White-breasted Cormorant, Reed Cormorant, African Darter, Black-headed Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Sacred Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Egyptian Goose, Yellow-billed Duck, Cape Teal, Hottentot Teal, Red-billed Duck, Cape Shoveller, Southern Pochard, Cape Spurfowl, Helmeted Guinea Fowl, Black Crake, African Purple Swamphen, Common Moorhen, Red-knobbed, Coot, Three-banded Plover, Blacksmith Lapwing, Black-winged Stilt, Water Thick-knee, Grey-headed Gull, Hartlaub’s Gull, Red-eyed Dove, Malachite Kingfisher, African Martin, Olive Thrush, Cape Robin Chat, Little Rush-warbler, Levaillant’s Cisticola, African Dusky Flycatcher, Fiscal Flycatcher, Cape Wagtail, Common Starling, Malachite Sunbird, Cape Sparrow, Southern Masked-weaver, Cape Canary.

This Little Grebe is one of many that swim in the bodies of  water that is inside the sanctuary.

In certain times of the year there are many Greater Flamingo wading in the water.

This Hottentot Teal can be recognized from its blue bill

A Common Moorhen is looking for food in one of the silt dams next to the sewage works.

The Water Thick-knee is commonly found around water.

The Bright Malachite Kingfisher is on the lookout for its next catch.

This Little Rush-Warbler was very curious, exposing itself to me as a result.

Levaillant's Cisticolas are normally found at marshland areas.

My experience of the Paarl Bird Sanctuary is that it is a very good spot for birding. There are many birds at the sewage works and also in the fenced sanctuary area. The picnic spots and bird hides have become dilapidated, and cannot be used anymore. Personal safety can be an issue, so do not leave your car and if possible, go in a group. There is visible security in the sanctuary, but that has not stopped a few attacks of birders in the past.

To summarize:

Paarl Bird Sanctuary is excellent for birding, bad for walking and hiking, poor safety and facilities and poor with regards to general beauty. But, alas, birds is the most important part of birding, therefore I will give Paarl Bird Sanctuary D for the whole birding experience.

Birding in your own neighborhood

Bird watching is a bloodless expression of man’s primitive hunting instincts. We have substituted binoculars and cameras for the gun, but we still seek a trophy - A new species on a life list, or photographs of one of earth’s rarest and most exquisite creatures. Our search may take us no farther than a nearby meadow - Or it can lead to the cloud forests of tropical mountains.

James A. Kern

Most people will only be aware of the birds in their own gardens or neighborhoods. It is amazing how many bird species you could identify that are living in close proximity to yourselves (you just need some time and some patience). There are various ways to attract birds to your own yards; bird feeders, water and shelter. If you can provide these essentials in your own garden, or if it is readily available in the vicinity, then odds are that birds will visit.

I have identified many birds in my neighborhood, but I only list the birds I actually have taken photographs of. I live in an estate called Val de Vie. Val de Vie lies on the outskirts of Paarl, a town close to Cape Town, in the Western Cape, South Africa. Early morning walks in my neighborhood not only yield rewarding birding results, but are accompanied with breathtaking views of the mountains and early morning sun on vineyards and natural fynbos. I have 34 birds on my current list of birds in my own neighborhood. It will be interesting to see similar lists, so feel free to comment!

For a closer look at Val de Vie you can click on the links provided.

Val de Vie
Val de Vie Blog

Val de Vie is a security estate, but there are many public events held here as well as a restaurant that is open to the public.

List of birds at Val de Vie Estate:

Reed Cormorant, African Darter*, Black-Headed Heron, Cattle Egret, Hadeda Ibis, Egyptian Goose, Yellow-billed Duck, Jackal Buzzard*, Cape Spurfowl, Helmeted Guineafowl, Crowned Lapwing, Blacksmith Lapwing, Spotted Thick-Knee, Speckled Pigeon, Spotted Eagle-Owl*, Speckled Mousebird, African Hoopoe, Greater Striped Swallow*, Cape Robin Chat, Karoo Prinia, African Dusky Flycatcher, Fiscal Flycatcher, Cape Wagtail, African Pipit, Common Fiscal, Bokmakierie*, Common Starling, Malachite Sunbird, Southern Double-Collared Sunbird*, Cape Weaver, Yellow Bishop, Swee Waxbill, Cape Canary, Common Peacock.

An early morning walk have me discovering some Bokmakieries on the roof of one of the houses in the neighborhood.

Bokmakierie

This Southern Double-Collared Sunbird was feeding on some nectar just outside our kitchen window.

Malachite Sunbird

There are some areas with small dams on the estate, which attracts birds you will normally find near water.

African Darter

Our neighbors have some of these Greater Striped Swallows nesting under an overhang at their front door. This swallow have some mud in its mouth for nest building.

Greater Stripes Swallow

There is a family of Spotted Eagle-Owls that hunts on a regular basis around our house. This owl sat in a tree next to our house's fence when I snapped it.

Spotted Eagle-Owl

There are some kites and buzzards that hunt in our neighborhood.

Jackal Buzzard