The reservoir in Walkerspruit, a former clay quarry for brickworks, and its overlooking hide at the Austin Roberts bird sanctuary in Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria. The sanctuary was established in 1955.
The Austin Roberts (Memorial) Bird Sanctuary is a 11.76 ha (29.1 acres) nature reserve located in the Walkerspruit Open Space System, in the Nieuw Muckleneuk suburb of Pretoria, South Africa.
It became the first bird refuge in Pretoria when it was opened by the then mayor of Pretoria, Mr. W. J. Seymore, on 27 October 1956.[1][2] It was officially proclaimed as a nature reserve on 26 February 1958, and it was fenced in June 1970.[3]
The sanctuary is named after South Africa’s well-known ornithologist and mammalogist, J. Austin Roberts. He was born in Pretoria in 1883, but grew up in Potchefstroom as a minister’s son, where the local amateur ornithologist, Thomas Ayres, was his mentor.
Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary was named after
J Austin Roberts. The University of Pretoria presented the self-taught Roberts with an honorary doctorate for his many achievements, which include the standard South African reference books on birds and mammals. The bird sanctuary was officially proclaimed as a
nature reserve on 26 February 1985.
The sanctuary is located in the Walker Spruit open space system. Two streams, the Walker and the Argo, feed water into wetland basins, of which nine are small perennial dams that attract water birds such as Egyptian geese, white-breasted cormorant and hadeda ibis. Other species include South Africa’s national bird, the blue crane, as well as the crowned crane.
Activities and facilities
A wide variety of birds that can be watched from the bird hide, such as the blacksmith lapwing and white-bellied sunbird.
Guided walks can be arranged, and an exhibition hall is also available.
Visiting hours
Summer (September to April): 06:00 to 18:00
Winter (May to August): 07:00 to 17:00
Tariffs
Entrance fee to bird hide: No charge
Guided walks: R55 per person; up to 12 people per group
Bookings and contact details for reservations to visit the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary
Tel: 012 358 1757/1753
Email: groenkloofnaturereserve@tshwane.gov.za
Become a member of the Friends of Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary
The Nature Conservation Dept of the City of Tshwane issues the members of the friends groups with a credit size card with a different colour each year.
This membership card is valid from 1 Jan 2023 to end Feb 2024.
This card is worth R1,296 in terms of entrance fees!
Two free entrances to 3 of the City of Tshwane nature reserves, for 2 adults and 2 children.
The reserves are: Groenkloof, Rietvlei, Faerie Glenn, Wonderboom & Rooihuiskraal resort.
HOW TO PAY YOUR R200 MEMBERSHIP FEES
At the Blue Crane restaurant, 156 Melk Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria.
Or
Friends of Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary
FNB, Business Acc nr: 62912113305 Branch code: 251345. Your name as reference.
Contact Anne-Marie Sparg: 079 498 6971 or office@friendsofaustinrobertsbirdsanctuary.org.za for more information.
Further Enquiries
Tel: 012 358 1753
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Source: Wikipedia
