An astonishing 120 species have been recorded including many uncommon species, as well as several provincial and national vagrants from time to time. Viewing is best at the peak low tide, though an encroaching tide concentrates the birds in front of the hide for short periods. Morning visits are recommended, when the sun is at your back. At high tide, most of the waders and other species congregate on the high artificial sand dunes near the Heritage Site where unexpected species like Familiar Chat and African Pipit also occur regularly.

Bird numbers are at their peak between October and April each year, when the resident bird populations are supplemented by the immense influx of Palearctic and intra-African migrant species. Key shorebirds on the mudflats include the Terek, Curlew and Marsh Sandpipers, Ruff, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, Common Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Red Knot, Greater Sand, Common Ringed and Grey Plovers, Ruddy Turnstone, and Little Stint. Small numbers of Pink-backed Pelican are usually in attendance, alongside at least three species of cormorant (White-breasted, Cape and Reed). Several pairs of Goliath Heron breed at the nearby Heritage Site, alongside Grey Heron and Little Egret. Woolly-necked Stork is mainly a summer visitor, though small numbers of these impressive birds can be seen throughout the year. The regal African Fish Eagle and Western Osprey are regular overhead, with resident osprey populations again being supplemented in the summer months by Palearctic visitors. The common gulls include the Kelp and Grey-headed Gulls, while Lesser Black-backed and Hartlaub’s Gull are irregular. The bay also supports an impressive number of terns including the Caspian (year-round), Lesser Crested (summer), Common (mainly summer) and Swift (Greater Crested; all year) Terns.

Adjacent to the main mudlfats is a small area of natural grassland and mangroves. Follow the trail through the mangroves in winter and listen for the distinctive trill call of the Mangrove Kingfisher; this perhaps the most accessible site for the species anywhere in South Africa. Other notable targets include the Black-throated Wattle-eye, Rufous-winged Cisticola, and Purple-banded Sunbird.

The Durban Bayhead regularly plays host to provincial and national rarities and visiting birders should always remain mindful of out-of-range species at this site. Previous records include the Red-tailed Tropicbird, Common Redshank, and both Black-headed and Slender-billed Gulls.

Key species:

Diverse Palearctic waders, Western Osprey, Goliath Heron, Pink-backed Pelican