The first area worth mentioning is the access road and parking area. Check the dry Dichrostachys-type thickets along the main entrance road for the Long-tailed Paradise Whydah in the summer together with its host the Green-winged Pytilia. When crossing the dam wall, look along the grass bank on the right where Rufous-naped Larks, Zitting Cisticolas, Rock Martins, and both White-rumped and Little Swifts are often seen. In the summer months Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters also frequent the dam wall, using exposed perches to hawk insects above the water. At the parking area, listen for the loud calls of the Gorgeous and Grey-headed Bush-Shrikes as well as Southern Boubou, Common Scimitarbill, Brown-crowned Tchagra and White-browed Scrub-Robin; all of which can be found easily virtually anywhere along the dam. The areas of mixed woodland and acacia veld along the dam edges often produce birds such as Yellow-breasted Apalis, Red-fronted Tinkerbird, Cardinal Woodpecker, Red-billed Firefinch, White-bellied Sunbird, White-crested Helmetshrikes and Kurrichane Thrush. Keep a special eye open for White-throated Robin-chat and in the summer months Levaillant’s Cuckoo are recorded regularly. Also seen flitting from the thickets on the shores to drink in the early morning are Grey Waxbills.
The riverine forests here have a lot of Weeping Boer-Bean Trees (Schotia brachypetla). When these are in flower in the early spring, the bright red flowers literally drip with nectar (hence the name) and it is certainly worthwhile just sitting and waiting for the birds which seem unable to resist the flowers and insects that have also been attracted to the tree. Overhanging trees where the rivers feed the dam normally have a variety of weavers breeding in the summer. Village and Lesser Masked Weavers are the most common while Spectacled and Southern Masked Weavers pop up fairly regularly. Also seen around weaver colonies waiting to take advantage of unguarded nests are the Diederik Cuckoo and African Harrier-Hawk. Other raptors to look out for are Black Sparrowhawk and African Goshawk. Martial Eagle and African Hawk Eagle have also been recorded.
The cliff faces that drop into the dam are home to Southern Bald Ibis which breed here in the late winter months. Lanner Falcons (breeding), Peregrine Falcon and White-necked Raven also frequent the cliffs. The cliffs and any other rocky areas along the shore are great for Mocking Cliff-Chat and Striped Pipit, both of which are best detected by their sweet songs. Look in the gaps and overhangs on the cliffs for roosting Western Barn Owls.
The dam itself must be one of the best places in South Africa to see White-backed Night Heron, as there are currently five known breeding pairs of this elusive species on the dam. Goliath Herons and Green-backed Herons are common and both species also breed here. Seven species of kingfisher can be seen here. Of the aquatic kingfishers, Giant, Pied and Malachite Kingfishers are all common and the spectacular but elusive Half-collared Kingfishers are best found in the rocky areas where streams flow into the dam. These areas are also good for African Black Duck. African Fish Eagles are easily found and Western Osprey are recorded at least a few times during the late summer months. Wire-tailed and White-throated Swallows can be seen anywhere along the dam.
Key species:
White-backed Night Heron, Peregrine and Lanner Falcons, Grey Waxbill, Gorgeous Bush-shrike