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MARIEVALE BIRD SANCTUARY

by Etienne Marais

Marievale Bird Sanctuary lies within the Blesbokspruit area which is a protected Wetland Reserve.

This is one of the prime wetland birding spots in the Gauteng area, and because a lot of birders visit the area , visiting rarities are usually picked up on by local birders.

Apart from the wetland, Marievale also offers interesting highveld grassland birding, and is one of the few places in the region where Redshouldered Widow is regular.

Rarities such as Blacktailed Godwit, Pacific Golden Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper and Spotted Crake have been recorded over the last few years, and European Marsh Harrier is regular in summer.

Typical Grassveld birds such as Long-tailed Widow, African Pipit and Marsh Owl are present. The wetlands hold African Rail, Baillon's Crake, Ethiopian Snipe, Painted Snipe, Goliath Heron, Hottentot Teal, Black Egret, European Sedge Warbler and Greater Flamingo.

As you enter the reserve keep a sharp lookout in the reeds on the right for Little Bittern. The water on either side of the road is a good place to look for Squacco, Purple Gallinule, Hottentot Teal, Southern Pochard, Cape Teal and Black Crake. Reedbeds are inhabited by warblers, including Cape Reed, African Marsh and African Sedge Warblers.

On your right you will see a picnic area with ablution facilities.

Continue straight on to a gate on the left. Stop and sign the visitors book before CLOSING THE GATE and continuing into the main part of the reserve.

Continue past the second hide on your left into an area of open grassland, On your left is an area of moist grassland and species such as Stonechat, Redhsouldered Widow and Levaillant's Cisticola are often in evidence.

The best area in the reserve is straight ahead - where the track crosses a wide wetland and stream. In summer this is a great wader "hotspot", while a range of herons, warblers, ducks and other birds can be seen along this road. A good strategy is to drive very slowly along the road, stopping at good spots to scan the flats.

Waders include African Snipe, Greenshank, Blackwinged Stilt and Avocet. Ruff are usually present in numbers and depending on water levels you should also see Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Marsh Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Three banded and Kittlitz Plovers.

A range of Herons, including Goliath and Black Egret are usually present, and Glossy Ibis fly overhead. When there is exposed dry ground, this area is excellent for Orange-breasted Waxbill and Quail finch. Watch sedges and bushes close to the water for European Sedge Warbler (summer), and the edges of reedbeds for African Rail or Painted Snipe. An early morning start much improves the chance of seeing these specials and if you are lucky, a Baillon's Crake.

Once you have covered this area thoroughly, continue over to the third hide near the minedumps where Great Crested Grebe can usually be seen. Re-trace you steps, visiting all the hides where one needs to keep a sharp lookout for Little Bittern or Marsh Harriers.

Directions
Marievale is on the East Rand near Nigel. One can get to Nigel from Pretoria via the R50 Delmas road, which is a bit longer than the M1/N3 route, but is perhaps more pleasant. From the N3 (south of Johannesburg) Take the R550 offramp and turn left. After about 20 km you will reach a T junction. Turn left and go through Nigel. A few Km outside the town take the left fork towards the sanctuary(signposted). This road goes through rather run-down mine property, past an army base.