Ma1 Malmesbury-Paardeberg

Approximately 53 km – tarred and gravel road. RM indicates a Road Marker where the route changes direction. Please do not enter private property without permission from owners.

  1. Leave Malmesbury along the R45 towards Paarl. The route meanders through wheat fields and seasonal water features may produce water birds as well as waders. LBJs may be abundant all along the route. Traffic along the R45 may be a bit disturbing to birders.
  2. Turn off W on the gravel at RM R45-Babylons Toren Rd (S33°31.596. E18°50.856'). Once on the gravel the pace may slow and more birds may be observed. Be on the lookout for Blue Crane in the open fields, Jackal Buzzard may be observed, Helmeted Guineafowl will be abundant. Observe closely at seasonal streams and ponds for waterfowl and waders – the Welgelegen Dam is close to the track. The road circles back to close at the R45 but keep on the gravel road.
  3. Turn SW at RM Babylons Toren Rd-Paardeberg Rd (S33°28.665' E18°47.903'). Drive along the contour and inspect water features closely – these may be seasonal in winter. Bosgaasfontein Dam may be worthwhile for waterfowl, though it may be seasonal. Be on the lookout all the time for larks, pipits, Cape Longclaw, African Stonechat. Scan the patches of undisturbed veld for smaller birds – Karoo Prinia, Bokmakierie and canary species.
  4. Turn E at the junction to Fynbos Estate (S33°32.449' E18°46.658') and proceed to the estate itself. Short hiking trails at the estate may deliver some good species more close up than viewed from the road, garden birds may be abundant in the gardens at the estate. Return to the Paardeberg Rd and turn W to proceed along the route.
  5. South of the road is the Misverstand Dam and a little further along the road the Welgemeend Dam may be found. Waterfowl may be abundant at these dams in season. Be on the lookout for birds in the patches of undisturbed indigenous veld dotting the vineyards and agricultural fields. Be on the lookout for Fork-tailed Drongo closer to the R302 – these birds had been spotted around the Doornfontein area.
  6. Turn N towards Malmesbury at the R302-Paardeberg junction (S33°31.410' E18°44.205') and drive along the tarred section to Malmesbury.

Birds: LBJs are abundant, in summer European Bee-eaters may be observed. Scan irrigated areas for swallows and swifts foraging on the richer insect life. Blue Cranes may be spotted in open agricultural fields and waterfowl may be abundant at water bodies especially in the wet season. Raptors may include Jackal and Steppe Buzzard, Yellow-billed Kite, Black-shouldered Kite and occasionally Booted Eagle may be encountered.

Prepared by: / /