Marievale Bird Sanctuary
Encyclopedia
Marievale Bird Sanctuary is a protected area
in Gauteng
, South Africa. It is about 10 km² in size, and situated on the East Rand on the Blesbokspruit
. The Blesbokspruit is a major perennial river in Gauteng which is flanked by extensive floodplains on either side.
No exact numbers are quoted, but a visitor's information pamphlet produced by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA
) and available at the sanctuary claims that almost 300 bird species frequent the wetland. In addition, Blesbok
, Cape clawless otter
, 3 species of mongoose, Reedbuck
and Cape Hare
have also been observed in the sanctuary. Access to the reserve is free and there are four bird hides (named Flamingo, Hadeda, Duiker and Shelduck) and a public picnic site in the reserve.
Protected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
in Gauteng
Gauteng
Gauteng is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. It was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27 April 1994...
, South Africa. It is about 10 km² in size, and situated on the East Rand on the Blesbokspruit
Blesbokspruit
Blesbokspruit, originates north of Daveyton, Gauteng, South Africa. It is a stream running south and later west, past the towns of Springs, Nigel and Heidelberg, before it joins the Suikerbosrand River. The Marievale Bird Sanctuary is situated in its upper reaches.-See also:* List of rivers of...
. The Blesbokspruit is a major perennial river in Gauteng which is flanked by extensive floodplains on either side.
No exact numbers are quoted, but a visitor's information pamphlet produced by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA
WESSA
- Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa :The Society is a non-government environmental organization of South Africa, was established in 1926, but its origins go back to the 1890s.- Relevance to establishment of other...
) and available at the sanctuary claims that almost 300 bird species frequent the wetland. In addition, Blesbok
Blesbok
The Blesbok or Blesbuck is an antelope with a distinctive white face and forehead. Its white face is the origin of its name, because bles is the Afrikaans word for bald...
, Cape clawless otter
African Clawless Otter
The African clawless otter , also known as the cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second largest freshwater species of otter. African clawless otters are found near permanent bodies of water in savannah and lowland forest areas...
, 3 species of mongoose, Reedbuck
Southern Reedbuck
The Southern Reedbuck, Rietbok or Common Reedbuck is a diurnal antelope typically found in southern Africa.It was first described by Pieter Boddaert, a Dutch physician and naturalist, in 1785...
and Cape Hare
Cape Hare
The Cape, Common or Brown Hare is a hare natively found throughout Africa, and has spread to many parts of the Europe, Middle East and Asia. The Cape Hare is a nocturnal herbivore.They are fast...
have also been observed in the sanctuary. Access to the reserve is free and there are four bird hides (named Flamingo, Hadeda, Duiker and Shelduck) and a public picnic site in the reserve.