Rondebult Bird sanctuary

[BluTuna]

It's been many years since I visited the Rondebult Bird Sanctuary which is just south of Germiston in Gauteng. Much has changed, there is now secure parking with a security guard present, a bunch of keys are handed to visitors in order to access the hides. It's open from 07:00 and entry is free.

There are seven hides on site but only three of them are worth visiting. Three are on the north side of the wetland, one on stilts which is about 30 feet high was too much for my vertigo, the other two are overgrown with reeds and little or nothing can be seen from them.

The other four are on the eastern side of the wetland, Hide no 1 overlooks a vlei that was dry when I visited. Hides 2 and 3 overlook the same vlei and face directly west so they are perfect for morning photography. Hide 4 faces southwest and is on a different vlei so it's also good for morning photography.

Here are the birds I managed to photograph.

Sacred Ibis.


Redknobbed Coots.





T-Rex wannabee.


Pied Avocet.


Maccoa Duck.


Threebanded Plover.


Spurwinged Goose.




Grey Heron flypast.


Whitethroated Swallow.


Great Crested Grebe.


And a Singlespine River Crab (thanks to Toko for the ID).


Without a doubt, the star of the show for me was a Black Heron which I first spotted on the far side of the vlei.


Fortunately the fishing there wasn't so good and it came and gave a command performance right in front of the hide.

[Duke]

Thanks BT, have never been to Rondebult. Black heron

[harrys]

Great sightings BT and those photos are really exeptional

[BluTuna]

Thanks Duke and Harry!

I neglected to say that the pictures were taken with my new Tamron 150-600mm lens which is a significant improvement over my old Bigma!

[Toko]

A new destination for me, too. for the info bits!

And then you find some cool species: a very blue Maccoa , Great Crested Grebe another one I've never see in Africa, T-Rex chicken

You may have guessed, my fav is the crab, lovlely photo with much detail and perfect reflection.

Fantastic heron show with perfect posture and hairstyling


I hope you had fun with your new toy

[BluTuna]

I've been having great fun with my new toy and am looking for new places to go in the area (where I won't get mugged).

I've just found out about VULPRO but their web site is completely out of date. Does anyone know if they are still operating?

[nan]

nice birds, nice photos, nice place
and nice new lens

[Mel]

Black heron And I like the crab shot as well - great reflection going with it.

[Pumbaa]

Brilliant bird shots, BluTuna

However, my favourite is the crab

[BluTuna]

Hi Nan, Pumbaa and Mel

Why does everyone like the crab I was lucky I saw it, I had decided to move to the next hide and was getting up to leave when I spotted it. I like the shot too but my favourite is this one.