The area around the entrance gate is good for Pearl-breasted Swallow and Rock Martin. Western Barn Owl breed near the buildings; ask the owner, Jan, if he can point them out to you.

After paying a small entrance fee, either head to Kliphoek, or follow the dirt road to head towards the Kuifkopvisvanger pans (-32.7995, 18.1788). On your right you will pass by some marshy habitat. Scan for Marsh and Curlew Sandpiper and Common Greenshank. Stop on the top of the hill before the road curves to the left and scan down on the mud flats. This can be productive and a large variety of waders can be seen including Grey Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Whimbrel and Ruff. Great White Pelicans, African Spoonbill and both Greater and Lesser Flamingos are also common. Watch for Caspian Tern and Western Osprey (summer) as these species can fly past this spot. In the surrounding scrub look for Karoo Scrub-Robin, Chestnut-vented Warbler, African Hoopoe and Acacia Pied Barbet.

Once the road goes over the hill and turns to the left, continue along the road to the pans, listening for Karoo Lark and Cape Penduline-Tit from the vegetation on the left. Jackal Buzzard and Rock Kestrel can be seen on the telephone poles. Position yourself opposite the bank dividing the pans (-32.7995, 18.1788) and begin scanning the pans. Black-necked Grebe, Cape Teal and Cape Shoveler can be seen along with large numbers of migrant waders, Red-necked Phalaropes have been present for the past few summers and it is becoming a reliable spot to see for them.

After getting permission to access the neighbouring Kliphoek Salt Pans drive back to the R399, croos over the Sishen-Saldanha rail bridge and turn left (-32.8269, 18.1890). This complex of artificial pans is one of the best places to get very close to Chestnut-banded Plovers. This special bird is best found along the exposed shorelines of any of these pans. They are often joined by Common Ringed (summer) and Kittlitz’s Plover. Red-necked Phalarope has become regular in recent summers.

The wader watching picks up at high tide, when birds come in to roost from the adjacent river mudflats. Most of these are Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper but in recent years there have been Greater Sand Plover seen in the summer months. Scan the flocks of resting waders for rarities (-32.8250, 18.2026 is a good place to look for flocks). Caspian Tern also roosts in this vicinity.

De Plaat (on the western shore) is another excellent place on the river to scan for waders. To reach it, cross over into Velddrif and head to -32.7937, 18.2080. Bar-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Western Osprey and both species of Flamingo can be seen. Most of the birds seen from the Kuifkop side can be seen here. Other places to scan the river from are along the historic Bokkom Laan (where Mallard can be seen) and by the jetty next to the Riviera Hotel (-32.7868, 18.1744).

Key species:

Chestnut-banded Plover, Greater and Lesser Flamingo, Black-necked Grebe and several wader species