Malachite Bird Hide Wilderness Hot

http://www.photodestination.co.za/media/reviewsphotos/thumbnail/341x341s/89/ef/19/68_abp-20080319-00101-18-1319364565.jpg

Comments (0)

The Malachite bird hide is located on the northern shore of the Bo-Langvlei in the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park. Bo-Langvlei is one of a series of lakes connected by the Touw River (Eilandvlei, Langvlei and Rondevlei) and hosts a variety of aquatic species and is an internationally proclaimed Ramsar site.

Major concentrations of Great Crested and Blacknecked Grebe are present on Rondevlei and Bo Langvlei. Grey and Purple Heron, Little Egret, African Spoonbill, Little Bittern and Redknobbed Coot are prominent. Wildfowl are prolific including Yellowbilled, Macoa and Whitebacked Duck, Cape Shoveler, Southern Pochard and Cape, Redbilled and Hottentot Teal.

The Kingfishers are also abundant and can be photographed fishing from various perches. The forested hillsides that surround the area are home to several raptors, including: Cuckoo Hawk, Crowned Eagle, Forest Buzzard, Black and Rufous-chested (Red-breasted) Sparrowhawk and African Goshawk.

Photography

Best Time to Photograph

The hides are good at both sunrise and late afternoon. Check the water levels of the Lake's as it will determine how close the birds will come to the hides.

Type of Photography

Birding

Best Time of Year

All year round

Recommended Gear

Take a solid bean bag. A flash with a flash extender works well from the hid.

Highlights

Site Highlights

Apart from the abundant waterfowl species, this spot is an ideal location for photographing the various species of kingfisher. Keep an eye out for the raptors too.

Top Species

Footnotes

Season and Weather

The climate is a mild & temperate, which holds the possibility of rain throughout the year, with most of it falling at night. Summer is general hot.

Habitats

Other Activities

Bird Watching
Mountain Biking
Birding
Walking

Location

Closest Town

Wilderness

Getting There

Exit out the northern exit of the Ebb and Flow camp, turn right onto the gravel road. Travel along this road for about 7kms. The Malachite Hide parking area is on the right. Follow the board walk down to the hide.

Address

Garden Route National Park, Wilderness

Map

Swap Start/End Start Address

End

User comments

There are no user comments for this listing.

Author: Arne PurvesWebsite: http://www.arnepurves.co.zaEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About

Arne's passion for the environment, wildlife and conservation was instilled from an early age, leading to a career in nature conservation, first as a game ranger in the Natal Parks Board, a conservation officer with CapeNature and today in the City of Cape Town's Environmental Compliance Department. Photography is his creative medium of choice.

Latest Comments

Liesel Kershoff

Reviewed by Peter Chadwick

"A really awesome portfolio - must be one of the..."

Peter Chadwick’s photographic review of 2013 – highlights and experiences

Reviewed by Morkel Erasmus

"A great collection here Peter - great to also see..."

Mark Dumbleton

Reviewed by Peter Chadwick

"Mark - A really great portfolio - your star shots..."

Simonstown - Longbeach

Reviewed by Richard F

"Thanks for the great images. I live just above this..."

Addo Elephant National Park: Wonders of Rain

Reviewed by Tersia marais

"These images are absolutely awesome! Aspiring to take photos even..."

Conservation Photography Showcase

Dwesa marine protected area by wildlife and conservation photographer Peter Chadwick.

Marine Parks Photographic Survey of South African Marine Protected Areas

South Africa has a network of 21 marine protected areas (MPAs) around our coastline. Collectively they protect a wide range of marine habitat types and biodiversity. ...

African penguins by wildlife and conservation photographer Peter Chadwick.

South African Seabirds & the Guano Islands

The guano islands off South Africa are situated along the western and southern coastlines. The islands provide important breeding and nesting sites for many threatened seabirds.

sharks hauled ashore for their fins by wildlife and conservation photographer Peter Chadwick.jpg

Conservation Photography - Changing the world one photograph at a time

Photographs have the power to change the world by altering the perceptions and understanding of the viewer. Conservation photography can bridge language barriers, be easily understood and can create...

Southern right whale by wildlife and conservation photographer Peter Chadwick

De Hoop Nature Reserve & Marine Protected Area

The De Hoop Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area is without a doubt, one of the flagship reserves of the Cape Floral Kingdom and the Fynbos. Its habitats cover...

Blue crane and sheep by wildlife and conservation photographer Peter Chadwick

Biodiversity and Agriculture of the Overberg

The Overberg region of the Western Cape in South Africa is one of the countries important agricultural areas and during spring and summer, is covered in vast green swathes...

Orange winged pytilia by wildlife and conservation photographer Peter Chadwick.

Birding Mozambique

Birdlife South Africa, with funding from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, initiated a project in southern Africa with a focus on Mozambique to develop the area as a birding...

African penguin in the hand by wildlife and conservation photographer Peter Chadwick.jpg

African Penguins As The Sentinels To The State Of Our Oceans

Close your eyes and imagine a soccer stadium densely packed to capacity with rows upon rows of fans and the eruption of noise, just as a goal by the...

Our Incredible Birdlife

Through the years, my focus of attention has always been drawn to the incredible diversity of birds and I never cease to be amazed by their variety and interesting...