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Description
Paardevlei is a very large wetland - with extensive marshes and open water. The area has a large number of different bird species throughout the year. Ranging from hundreds of flamingoes, to coots, herons and many waterfowl. There are also lots of gulls, terns and shorebirds present, with a good selection of land birds in the trees, shrubs and grasslands (many of them endemic). The walk is an easy 3 km round trip, shared with the odd walker or runner.
In the parking area you can find sunbirds (southern double collared, amethyst, malachite), wagtails, doves and other goodies on the lawns and trees, before going through one of two gates to the path that circles the wetland.
You can enter the wetland at 5am and the area is patrolled. So stay on the path (there are signs). Walk to right (east) for some good marsh species (swamphen, moorhen, koot, herons, ducks), then around for some grasslands (canaries, longclaw), the far end (north) for shorebirds (resident endemics are present - Kittlitz, Three-banded), then further around for more open water birds, and eventually return to the start while paying attention for sunbirds, cisticolas and prinias in the native shrubs. 60-70 species are possible in a morning. It's worth looking at the eBird hotspot barchart to see what you can expect for the time of year.
Details
Access
Enter through De Beers Ave - drive through the security gate (tell them you are going birding if asked). Drive a little way and look for the visitors parking spots on the right. Click on the P in the map for directions or coordinates.
Terrain and Habitat
Grassland , Wetland , LakeConditions
FlatCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Winter , SpringRoute
Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Bonus - there is a great little pop-up coffee stand near the eastern gate entrance - for a great cup once you have done a mornings birding.