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 Rocherpan Nature Reserve - VelddrifThe Rocherpan Nature Reserve comprises 914 ha and lies 25 km north of Velddrif on the west coast of South Africa, between the area known as the Sandveld and the cold Atlantic Ocean. The reserve, established in 1967, consists largely of a seasonal vlei which is usually dry between March and June and the adjacent section of the Atlantic Ocean was also declared a marine reserve in 1988. Comprised mostly of wetlands, Rocherpan hosts a wide variety of bird species and, in spring, a mass of beautifully coloured wild flowers. From about June to September, southern right whales can also be seen swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. The Rocherpan Nature Reserve was named after a farmer named Pierre Rocher, who arrived in the area in 1839. To improve summer grazing for his livestock, Rocher and his workers closed off the mouth to the Papkuils River, which rises in the Piketberg and forced it to flow behind the dunes that separate the Sandveld from the Sea. The combination of land, vlei and marine environments provides ample breeding and feeding habitats for various birds and as a result, a total of 183 species has been recorded, of which about 70 are waterbirds. White pelicans and greater and lesser flamingoes, all of which are listed in the Red Data book for endangered bird species, are often seen at Rocherpan. Large numbers of these birds, as well as many thousands of waders and ducks rely on the vlei as their major source of food, particularly when the water levels drop. Ostriches occur on the flats surrounding the vlei.  Thus, inadvertently, a perfect habitat for water birds of all descriptions was created.In 1967, Rocherpan was established as a nature reserve. The marine protected area was declared in 1988 and stretches 500m seawards of the high water mark for the length of the nature reserve. The combination of land, wetlands and marine environments provides ample breeding and feeding habitats for various birds. A total of 183 species has been recorded, of which about 70 are waterbirds. White pelicans and greater and lesser flamingoes, all of which are listed in the Red Data book for endangered bird species, are often seen at Rocherpan. Large numbers of these birds, as well as many thousands of waders and ducks rely on the wetlands as their major source of food, particularly when the water levels drop. Ostriches occur on the flats surrounding the vlei. Rocherpan is one of the Cape shoveller’s most important breeding and moulting sites. The reserve provides a sanctuary for Southern Africa’s second rarest coastal bird, the African black oystercatcher. Southern right whales may be sighted in the marine reserve and along the coast from June to September. Besides springbok there are smaller mammals such as duiker, steenbok, water mongoose and African wild cat. Reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates are numerous. In spring a mass of wildflowers is an attractive feature of the reserve. Visitors are welcomed to spend a day at the reserve, enjoying sights of some rare bird species and wildlife or a day fishing at sea. It is open daily from 08:00 until 17:00 (May to August) and from 07:00 until 18:00 (September to April). There are two bird hides and various picnic sites. Vehicles and visitors on foot are restricted to the vehicle tracks and there is no access from the reserve to the beach for vehicles. Angling with a fishing rod is permitted, subject to regulations governing daily bag limits and sizes. For those who want to experience the unique and beautiful fauna and flora of the west coast of South Africa at its fullest, a visit to this nature reserve is a must.
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