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Wakkerstroom
MBR-BS 11.1
The Wakkerstroom area is famous among birders as it is the easiest place to find three endemic species restricted to South Africa's high altitude grasslands – Rudd's Lark, Botha's Lark and Yellow-breasted Pipit.
Other specials include Blue Korhaan, Denham's Bustard, Ground Woodpecker, Southern Bald Ibis, African Marsh-Harrier, Black-crowned Night-heron and Bush Blackcap. It is also an Important Bird Area. Most birding can be done from the roadside.
There are four bird hides situated around the wetland. From the Clive Beck Memorial Hide, look out for Black-crowned Night-heron, African Snipe, African Purple Swamphen, Purple Heron and African Rail. Red-chested Flufftail is often heard from the Sasol Flufftail Hide and it is a good spot to find roosting Grey Crowned Crane.
Species encountered at the Crane Hide include Blue Korhaan, Levaillant's Cisticola, Long-tailed Widowbird, Egyptian and Spur-winged Goose. The 500m path running through the grassland connecting the Flufftail and Crane Hides is good for both Grass and Marsh Owl, The lain Drummond Hide is good for sighting of African Marsh-harrier. The Amersfoort road bridge can be very rewarding with species such as Little Bittern, African Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Common Moorhen and Purple Heron.
Habitats range from open grassland to mistbelt forest, gorges and cliffs, with extensive wetland habitat in the form of vleis, pans and dams.
Directions
From Johannesburg take the N17 to (Springs) to Leandra. At the T-junction (Leandra on your left) turn right towards Standerton on the R50 and travel for 76tkm to Standerton. AT Standerton, take the R23 to Volksrust (80km) and then the R543 to Wakkerstroom (27km).
From Durban, take the N3 to Estcourt. Take the N11 to Ladysmith (11km from the N3 offramp). Travel through Ladysmith and head for Newcastle along the N11 (80km) and continue to Volksrust (55km). Pass through Volkrust and take the R543 to Wakkerstroom (27km).
Contact
Sakhamuzi Mhlongo
- Tel: +27 (0)17 730 0433
- Mobile: +27 (0)83 436 2252
- E-mail: wakkerstroom-centre@birdlife.org.za