BIRDWATCHING ON THE KNYSNA LAGOON

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The Knysna Lagoon is the largest estuary of its kind in the Southern Cape,and is a rich source of food for a great number of different species. The varying nature of its habitats and of those on its shores provide year-round opportunities for excellent birding.

BIRDS OF THE SALT MARSHES

Salt marshes are the 'pantry of the seas' and are a favourite hunting ground for many of our waders and sea birds - and even attract some species, such as the Egyptian goose, which are usually associated with fresh water.

One of the best places for birding on the Lagoon is at the Woodbourne Marsh, next to George Rex Drive and just opposite the causeway to Leisure Isle. Park on the left hand side of the road. Here you will find species like sandpipers, stints and herons, and you may even be lucky enough to spot a gallinule or a malachite- or half-collared kingfisher (kingfishers nest in the embankments on the west side of the marsh).

Rare visitors to the Knysna Lagoon include flamingoes, which are occasionally seen during spring in the shallow water between Thesen's Wharf and Leisure Island and at Crab's Creek.

SEA BIRDS

The Lagoon attracts many birds of the sea - although pelagic species rarely visit except after violent storms. Besides the ubiquitous kelp gull, expect to find the occasional Cape gannet and penguin as well as large, permanent colonies of cormorants at the Heads.

THE AFRICAN BLACK OYSTERCATCHER

The African Black Oyster catcher is the rarest of the birds which breed on the Southern Cape Coast, and the Knysna Lagoon is one of its favourite habitats. Some pairs nest on the rocks on the Western Head although most residents prefer the salt marshes on the eastern side of the Lagoon. They can often be seen hunting in shallow water - particularly at the Point of Thesen Island, west of the Parks office.

Oystercatchers are endangered and protected. Because of their vulnerability during breeding (they nest in unprotected scrapes just above the high tide mark) their numbers are threatened by activities such as the use of 4x4's on beaches and by allowing dogs to run free of their leashes.

RAPTORS

The African Fish Eagle - that icon of the raptor kingdom - is frequently seen on the Knysna Lagoon. Look out for them upriver of the White Bridge (the N2). Other commonly-seen species include gymnogenes, black shouldered kites and forest and mountain buzzards.

BIRDS OF THE FORESTS & SHORE

The Knysna Lagoon is surrounded by urban areas, fynbos, scrub forest (on the Western Head) as well as some open grasslands (particularly at the sports fields at Loerie Park on George Rex Drive). This greatly increases the number of bird species which can be seen in the area.

Well-established, wooded urban areas attract many fruit-eaters, including the elusive Knysna loerie, which is, in fact, a common resident of urban gardens - especially where fruit and berries are present. These areas also attract woodland species like the Knysna warbler and Knysna woodpecker as well as migrants such as cuckoos (including the emerald cuckoo and piet-my-vrou). Grassland species, such as hadedahs and herons, dikkops and plovers, are often seen on lawns and sports fields in the town.

Birders who want to travel a little further afield in search of other species should visit the Garden Route's famous Knysna forests - indigenous, Afro-montane forests such as those at Gouna or the Garden of Eden.

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