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Umgeni River
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Categories: roadside attraction; trails;
The Umgeni River estuary and its associated mangroves provide a rich and important feeding ground for numerous waterbirds in the middle of Durban . The northern bank has been developed by the Parks Department of the eThekwini Municipal council and lay-bys have been provided along Riverside Road for birders to park and look over the river to observe the birds present.
Bird numbers vary according to the level of the water which in turn depends on the state of the tide and whether or not the sandbank at the mouth of the river has been breached. When the water is low during summer, thousands of waders forage in the mud and large flocks of terns roost on the sandbanks. If the water level is higher, birders may be lucky enough to see flocks of up to 300 White Pelicans that sometimes feed in synchrony in the shallows, accompanied by small numbers of Pink-backed Pelicans. The higher water level also forces Herons and Woolly-necked Storks to roost on the flooded grassy islands in the river.
The estuary has attracted many vagrant sea birds over the years from both the tropical oceans and the colder southern seas. Rare gulls and terns are reported from time to time, as are frigate birds and crab plovers. A visit to the estuary is highly recommended after a severe cold front in winter, which brings up the southern seabirds such as Cape Gannet and Cape Cormorant or after a cyclone in the Mozambique Channel has forced tropical seabirds such as Bridled and Sooty Terns onshore.
Specials to look out for are Grear White Pelican, Pink-backed Pelican, Woolly-necked Stork , Square-tailed Nightjar, Black-throated Wattle-eye, Mangrove Kingfisher, Cape Gannet, Crab Plover and Cape Cormorant.
Directions
Riverside Road is reached by taking the first off ramp from the M4 North after crossing the Umgeni River and turning left at the first T junction.
GPS Coordinates (decimals)
Lat: 29°48.47' S
Lon: 31°02.31' E
Additional Info
The site is accessible by day visitors.
Lay-bys have been provided along Riverside Road for birders to park and look over the river to observe the birds present.
Safe parking and toilet facilities can be found at Umgeni Bird Park . Restaurants can be found nearby.
Habitats: grassland, marine and estuarine habitat
Contact
- eThekwini Municipality
- Tel: +27 (0)31 274 1150