President Ridge Bird Sanctuary still thriving
Witswatersrand Bird Club recognises Gill Hardingham's work at President Ridge Bird Sanctuary.
The President Ridge Bird Sanctuary is still thriving seven months after BirdLife President Ridge closed.
The closure of the bird club after 25 years was not a decision taken lightly but the care of the scenic and tranquil venue was handed over to capable custodian Colin van der Meulen of the Witswatersrand Bird Club.
“Everything has gone well and I must say the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo team that maintains the sanctuary has done a good job,” Van der Meulen told Randburg Sun.
“From time to time we do have people come through the gates from the adjoining complexes and they do appreciate the place. Of course it is open to the public on the weekends and that is when it is its busiest.”
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The club sometimes hosts events in the sanctuary as well. Van der Meulen said the bird life was quiet now in winter but come spring the sanctuary will be a great place for avid bird watchers to visit.
Upon the closing of BirdLife President Ridge, Gill Hardingham, who has been involved with the sanctuary since its inception, received the Bearded Vulture Award from Wits as recognition for ‘outstanding contribution to Bird Conservation’.
This was announced at their AGM by chairperson Andy Featherstone.
The bird and animal life
Guinea fowls shuffle along the ground while go-away-birds (grey loeries), thrushes and Cape white-eyes sit in the willow trees watching you as you cross one of the wooden bridges going over the Klein Jukskei River, or use the wheelchair-friendly paths to access the hide.
As many as six subspecies of kingfishers, as well as reed cormorants, yellow-billed ducks, families of geese and sacred ibises share the dam with the barbel fish. There have even been sightings of harrier hawks, Ovambo sparrow hawks and honey buzzards and other raptors.
On ground, water mongooses and leguaans have been seen.
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