Leaving Cape Town: Waterbirds and Rietvlei

The R27, the main arterial road running up most of the western shoreline begins in the coastal suburb of Milnerton, as Otto Du Plessis Drive. Begin your trip by scanning the lagoon that lies between the R27 and the conspicuous Woodbridge Island lighthouse on your left.

A number of widespread waterbird species are often found here, most notably Little Egret, Grey-headed Gull (uncommon), Caspian and Swift Terns, and Pied Kingfisher.

Continuing a few kilometres further north, the road swings to the left. Here, a number of large waterbodies are visible on your right. Initially, the non-perennial pan of Rietvlei (dry and dusty in late summer) can be seen in the distance. During the winter and spring, the pan supports an excellent diversity and abundance of waterbirds, and these can be viewed from the bird hide on the opposite side of the pan (see below for directions). Birders visiting at the right time of year and with time to spare will find a visit to Rietvlei rewarding. However, most of its birds are more conveniently found elsewhere on this route. Continuing along the R27, the deep waters of Flamingo Vlei come into view on your right after a short while. This lake is used mainly for watersports and birdlife is less diverse, although White Pelican and Darter can often be seen here.

At the third set of traffic lights beyond the lighthouse (after 6.4 km), there is a series of pans surrounding the road: one lies to the left (Pan 1), another to the right (Pan 2), and one to the left beyond the traffic lights (Pan 3). These ‘Dolphin Beach’ pans can be birded from the roadside, and support a remarkable diversity of waterbird species, including Dabchick, Yellow-billed Egret, Glossy Ibis, Cape Shoveller, Yellow-billed Duck, Red-knobbed Coot, Moorhen, Purple Gallinule, Ethiopian Snipe, Three-banded Plover, Black-winged Stilt, and in summer, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff and White-winged Tern.

The localized White-backed Duck is invariably present on Pan 3. The scarce and very local Painted Snipe is also occasionally found here, especially in the grassy edges of Pan 1. Scan the reedbeds for Cape Reed Warbler, and the vegetation along the edges of the pans for the conspicuous Levaillant’s Cisticola and Common Waxbill. Brown-throated Martin and White-throated Swallow hawk insects overhead, and African Marsh Harrier can often be seen over the reedbeds.

To enjoy panoramic frontal views of Table Mountain, turn left at the traffic lights towards Bloubergstrand. Check the rocks along the beach here for Crowned Cormorant and African Black Oystercatcher (p.32*).

Returning to the R27, continue northwards. Should you wish to visit Rietvlei, turn right at the first set of traffic lights (after 0.7 km) beyond the roadside pans, take first right again (Pentz Drive) and continue for just over a kilometre until you reach the SANCCOB seabird rehabilitation centre on your right. This very worthwhile organization deserves a quick visit as there are always recovering seabirds on site (see p.32). From SANCCOB, turn right at the first four-way stop and inquire at the Aquatic Club for access to the bird hide. There is a 15 minute walk to the hide, and a small fee is payable.