Excellent birding can be had on the main access road, leading from the National Highway ‘N2.’ Southern Black Korhaan is resident in areas of dense shrubbery while Denham’s Bustard and Blue Crane prefer the open areas of cropped grassland opposite the main salt pans. Ludwig’s Bustard is occasional, mainly in winter. Sweet-thorn thickets and scrub host Acacia Pied Barbet, Greater Honeyguide, African Firefinch, Karoo Scrub-robin, Grey-backed Cisticola and Southern Tchagra. Seeing the latter requires knowledge of the call as the birds tend to remain hidden in thick vegetation at all times. Red-headed Quelea is sometimes present between the months of July and September, particularly nearer the Sunday’s River.

The Sunday’s River itself supports an isolated population of White-fronted Bee-eaters. Scan from the disused old Mackay bridge for the birds nesting in the vertical banks on the eastern side, or check the Eucalyptus trees where the birds frequently hawk insects. Species often seen on the river itself include the Caspian, Sandwich, Greater Crested and Common Terns, African Swamphen, Reed Cormorant, Grey Heron and African Darter.

The Tankatara Salt Pans support impressive numbers of both the Greater and Lesser Flamingos, often side-by-side offering the birder a chance to compare the two species. Impressive rafts of Black-necked Grebe are frequently also present, though views are often distant from the main gravel road. Waders are present in incredible numbers during the summer months including Common Whimbrel, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Ruddy Turnstone, Ruff, Sanderling, and the Kittlitz’s, Common Ringed and Grey Plovers with many overwintering. Chestnut-banded Plover is resident in impressive numbers, preferring shallower edges to the salt pans. The site is also justly famous for rarities, having produced the likes of Red-necked Phalarope, American Golden Plover, Black Tern and South Africa’s first Little Ringed Plover. Grey-headed, Hartlaub’s and Kelp Gulls move between here, the Sunday’s River and the nearby village of Colchester.

Raptors are prevalent in the Tankatara area. Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk can usually be seen perched on the tops of shrubs and Black-winged Kites hunt from the power lines. Transient visitors include Martial Eagle, Jackal Buzzard, Lanner Falcon and Black Harrier.

Key species:

Chestnut-banded Plover, White-fronted Bee-eater, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Ludwig’s Bustard, Southern Black Korhaan