Paardevlei

Paardevlei forms part of the old AECI factory property. It is on the western side of the Lourens River Estuary and in close proximity to the Dick Dent Bird Sanctuary. It is well worth a visit as large numbers of waterbirds occur here seasonally. Huge numbers of Greater Flamingo congregate in the vlei and recently some Lesser Flamingo have been recorded amongst them. Maccoa Duck, Southern Pochard, Cape Shoveller, Yellow-billed Duck and both Cape and Red-billed Teals are often recorded, as are Black necked, Great Crested and Little Grebes. Whiskered Terns are regularly recorded. White-winged Terns are less frequently observed. Black-crowned Night Herons inhabit the reed-beds at the Southwestern end of the vlei, and a pair of Blue Cranes has visited the area in the past.

Large numbers of swallows, swifts and martins and good numbers of waders are present in summer and the usual bishops, cisticolas, waxbills and weavers are evident on the vegetated margins. Raptors could include African Fish Eagle, Jackal Buzzard, Rock Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon and Black-shouldered Kite. A trail can be followed around most of the vlei and from the parking area it is possible to scan most of the water mass with a spotting scope. Although vleis are small shallow lakes nevertheless the water level is monitored and controlled at Paardevlei to try to mimic natural rise and fall with the seasons. Recently water levels have been higher due to larger than average rainfall patterns.

Directions: Leaving from Somerset Mall: Get back onto the R44, direction ‘The Strand’. At the first traffic lights just beyond the Mall boundary where De Beers Road comes in from the left to join the R44 turn right into Paardevlei precinct. Approach the booms about 100ms down the road. Entry is controlled, but easy and the parking area is on the right along the road in front of you as you enter, about 1/2km. Park near the Cheetah Outreach and you can walk to the vlei path through a gate.

A little way past the Cheetah Outreach there is a coffee shop. The whole area is being developed and more and more businesses, shops and flats are popping up.