Marievale Bird Sanctuary is a protected area in Gauteng, South Africa. It is about 15 km2 in size, and situated on the East Rand on the southern half of the Blesbokspruit wetland, a Ramsar site.[1] The Blesbokspruit is a major perennial river in Gauteng which is flanked by extensive floodplains on either side. Nearby is the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve.[2]
History
In 1978, a reserve 524 ha in extent was established.[3] This was further extended to 1,526.01 ha.[4]
Biodiversity
The Blesbokspruit wetland, in which the sanctuary is situated, is designated as an Important Bird Area.[5] Almost 300 bird species frequent the wetland,[1] according to the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA),[6] with the best time to visit being between spring and the start of summer.[2][7]
Access to the reserve costs R35pp and R25 per car. There is a conference centre and 2 chalets in the sanctuary.[2] There are four bird hides at the water pans[2] (named Flamingo, Hadeda, Duiker and Shelduck) and a public picnic site in the reserve.[1]
Threats
The flow of the Blesbokspruit has been hampered by the surrounding industries, i.e. gold mine tailings, sewage treatment plants, farmland expansion and urban development in some parts of the wetland, creating disjointed pans of water in the wetland.[7][8] Previously the river had few reed beds and few open stretches of shallow water. With the profusion of vegetation like sedges, bulrushes, duckweed and reeds, and the dumping of several large sand embankments through urban expansion, the landscape has since changed, resulting in the reduction of suitable habitat on the river.[8]
Gallery
Selection of species from the Marievale Bird Sanctuary
A moorhen family in the sanctuary
Lesser flamingo flock
Juvenile male Southern red bishop
Media related to Marievale Bird Sanctuary at Wikimedia Commons
Category
