Macassar Waste Water Treatment Works

Travel in a group when visiting this site due to safety concerns. 

The Macassar Dunes Nature Reserve, in Baden Powell Drive, forms part of the vital coastal dune system, one of the biodiversity hotspots of the Western Cape. The best way to access it is to visit the Macassar Waste Water Treatment Works. There one starts on the bridge at the entrance to the Water Treatment Works. The Eerste River flows beneath the bridge to the estuary mouth. The banks of the Eerste River are well vegetated and a forest of Milkwoods and other trees is evident from the bridge. Within the river vegetation are Bar-throated Apalis, Southern Boubou, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Lesser Swamp Warbler and Little Rush Warbler. African Reed Warbler and Little Bittern occur in the Reed beds. In the veld areas interesting species that have been recorded are Acacia Pied Barbet, Lesser Honeyguide, Forktailed Drongo, Brimstone Canary and Cardinal Woodpecker.

From the bridge either walk or drive past the shallow waters of the Eersterivier Estuary. Birds seen here include waders such as Three-banded Plover, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper,  Blackwinged Stilt and Pied Avocet. Many waterbirds can be seen including Yellow-billed Ducks, White-faced Duck, Southern Pochard, Cape Teal and Red-knobbed Coot; also Sacred Ibis, Glossy Ibis and Spoonbill. Flying along the water one may see Barn, Greater-striped and Pearl-breasted Swallows and Brown-throated Martins skimming the water for insects. Flying lower than the swallows one can observe swift species such as Alpine, Black, Little and White-rumped.

To the left one reaches the settling ponds of the Sewage works and here a profusion of birds may be seen taking advantage of the diverse food sources in these enriched waters. Seasonally one may encounter large numbers of Hartlaub’s Gull, Grey-headed Gull, Black-winged Stilt, Cape Teal, Red-billed Teal and Little Grebes. A few Avocet and Black-necked Grebe may be seen. The second pond may have all species of the first pond but may include large numbers of Greater Flamingo. Egrets occur throughout.

Near the Estuary mouth large numbers of Greater Flamingo congregate and with some Lesser Flamingo present as well. Many marine birds may be seen here such as Kelp, Hartlaub’s Gulls, Cape Cormorant and White-breasted Cormorant, and  waders such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Kittlitz’s Plover, Three-banded Plovers and Curlew Sandpipers.

Between the Eerste River lagoon and the sea a diverse array of terns, depending on season, may be seen roosting in large numbers on the beach. Species include Common White-whiskered, Sandwich, Swift and Caspian Tern. In the distance African Black Oystercatcher and the White fronted Plover may also be seen.

Raptors in the area include Peregrine Falcon, Rufous-chested and Black Sparrowhawk, Jackal Buzzard, Steppe Buzzard, Black-shouldered Kite and Rock Kestrel.

Directions: The Macassar Waste Water Treatment Works is situated on Baden Powell Drive.