Adventure with a Purpose: Quest to find top 5 free hiking/walking trails in Jozi 2/5 : President Ridge Bird santuary

Adventure with a Purpose: Quest to find top 5 free hiking/walking trails in Jozi - President Ridge Bird Sanctuary Randburg

so many signs for such a small little park!!

Note that it is not open every day but on weekends only, and you will find it locked during the week and at night. The entrance is through a pedestrian gate. You can park your car at the small parking area.

Well, well this little gem came in as a huge surprise. I drive past this oasis nearly every day as I go to gym at the Bright Water commons. I see the water trickling along the concrete water way with huge gum trees and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that there would be such a beautiful, safe and quiet sanctuary tucked away. You will find its entrance on Malcolm Road. It is apparently one of City Parks flagship parks.

It does seem to appear that very few people know about the President ridge bird Sanctuary and as I write this I wonder if it should continue to be one of Jozi's best kept secretes. That perhaps bringing too much attention would in the end destroy this little oasis in the middle of Randburg, yet it is also just too beautiful not to share and it is free.

I parked my car in the small parking provided and opened the gate making sure it was properly shut as I made my way along a long concrete pathway (wheel chair friendly) .

To my left was a long concrete canal and already the bird life was something to behold. Birds frolicking in the water and making chirping sounds in the trees along the banks. There are more than 120 different species of birds within this sanctuary.

The President Ridge Bird sanctuary offers a safe and quiet haven to all types of birds and its no wonder its popular amongst bird lovers and photographers alike. With the peaceful surroundings, it is a beautiful secret garden untouched by the dilapidation of human pollution.

The area suddenly opens out and to my left was a large block of flats and to my right I walked along a fence that belonged to a complex. Ahead of me under old trees and river sand is a stunning picnic area with well maintained tables and benches dotted around the area. Its beautiful old willow trees sweeping the floors and crating a magical area where families can enjoy together. It also provides a great romantic interlude for those wanting a nice quiet afternoon stroll along the trees and birds.

As I continued along the concrete path I came across the well maintained Sasol bird hide and popped inside to sit a while and take in the bird activities and of course get some photos. This bird hide is clean and is wheelchair friendly!

I then continued my stroll and to my left was a marsh/reed land filled with red bishops and yellow weavers flying in and out the dancing reeds as the wind picked up. Their nests swaying to and fro as the reeds bent in the wind. It was fantastic to see so many colourful birds in one spot.

The gorgeous Red Bishops one of my favourite childhood memories was sitting on the farm watching for hours with my dogs the antics and nest building of these busy and noisy birds!

I then came across a small stream and then the magic starts as you cross over a wooden bridge and to your right is Bright water commons. Suddenly the area opens up to a dam which has so many different types of ducks, moorhens and coots, crisscrossing the water way and diving for tasty morsels. Many had babies in tow and I sat for sometime watching a family of Egyptian geese. It was so sweet watching the parents being so tentative to their little brood.

I found a spot where a large dead gum tree lies in the dam and to my delight found 2 malachite kingfishers which I found out later were juveniles. My photos became photographic evidence that their parents had breed this season. I sat down and watched them frolicking in the water, diving in and out the water eating tiny fish. It was on my bucket list to photograph one of these rather elusive exquisitely brightly coloured birds and today I got my wish. I was elated.

I then continued to walk along the grassy embankment and discovered yet another breathtaking oasis, a much larger lake. I sat along the embankment on the thick lush grass and then continued to sit on the several benches within the park. There are many trees in fact over 200 indigenous tress. I watched as hundreds of birds darted along the horizon , into the green foliage, skimming along the waters edge and even spotted some really large catfish.

above and below you can just make out the huge catfish - need to go back and get some shots of them

In the middle of the sanctuary is the shallow dam which is separated by an island lined with willow trees and it is here that I watched as herons went about their daily noisy business. There are grey herons, little egrets, reed cormorants and even darters. it was really magical to watch their antics.

There are many black headed herons as well as cattle egrets that breed within the park. The park is just under 3 hectares of jam packed birding adventure land. The great thing about this park is that it is very safe and I visit here often now on my own. It has residential homes on both sides boxing it in and overlooking the park.

the tail of the catfish

I tried to find out a detailed history of the origins of the park but came up with bits and pieces. the area consisted of the dam which was used to wash sand required for the Durao's mine - now known as the Brightwater commons. This process eventually came to a halt and it was then that the conservation officer Piet Oosthuizen became involved in the area.

It was only in 1994 that the sanctuary was established by gill Hardingham who was the former chairperson and present custodian of the Birdlife President ridge and an affiliate of Birdlife South Africa. Apparently at the time that the sanctuary was being established it was being used for fishing, walking dogs, bike riding and even motorbikes. Luckily the local residents decided to agree in it becoming the sanctuary it is today or all of this would have been lost.

Once it was fenced off some 240 indigenous trees and shrubs were planted. The beautiful brick and thatch bird hide was sponsored by Sasol which included the wheelchair pathway. Sasol has also continued to help create the reticulation system and the spraying of reeds to make sure that they do not invade the dam and cause a problem.

The 2 bridges you bind were built over the little spruits that connect the dam . I found out that a team from Brightwater commons comes over once a week to clean the dam which helps to clear the water ways and sort out any rubbished spilling in through the drainage systems within the area.

There has been talk to build loos in the sanctuary for visitors but as yet I did not see any.

Details: Malcolm Road, President Ridge; 011 462 9682.

NOTE - The sanctuary is only open:

Saturday's, Sunday's & Public Holiday's (except Christmas Day).

1 April - 30 September: 08h00 to 16h00.

1 October - 31 March: 07h00 to 17h00.

The Team Zodwa Project ™

Member: FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa)
Member: Vincent de Paul Victory Park (St Charles Catholic Church)

Photo Credits: Kim Williams Copyright

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Warmest