Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary

Afrikaans name: Austin Roberts-voëlreservaat

Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary

Photo © Steven Herbert

Gauteng

The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary is named after the great ornithologist Austin Roberts who was the original author of the well-known Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa.

Although this reserve is located in a built-up area it is home to around 170 species of birds. It is a great place to photograph and view waterbirds.

There is a board-walk leading from the entrance to a spacious hide. Along the way there are openings for you to observe the birds.

Although the surrounding bush supports many of the typical bird species it is the waterbirds that are the main attraction. Look for birds such as Yellow-billed Duck, Black Crake, Little Egret, Black-crowned Night-heron and Green-backed Heron.

The Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary is located in the suburb of Muckleneuk in Pretoria. It normally opens at 8 am and closes at 5 pm on weekends. During the week it closes earlier.

Have you seen anything special at Austin Roberts?

Above - Little Egret

Photo © Steven Herbert

Above - Restaurant overlooking the sanctuary

Photo © Steven Herbert

A list of some of the birds you may see:

Egyptian Goose

Yellow-billed Duck

African Hoopoe

Brown-hooded Kingfisher

Pied Kingfisher

Speckled Mousebird

Red-faced Mousebird

Burchell's Coucal

Grey Go-away-bird

Black Crake

Common Moorhen

Red-knobbed Coot

Reed Cormorant

Little Egret

Black-headed Heron

Cattle Egret

Hadeda Ibis

African Sacred Ibis

Black-headed Oriole

Black-backed Puffback

Southern Masked-Weaver

Southern Red Bishop

Bronze Mannikin

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References and further reading

The Chamberlain Guide to Birding Gauteng - Author: Etienne Marais and Faansie Peacock - Published: 2008 - Page: 66

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to Southern Africa - 4th edition - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 228

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 28

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 72

Insiders Guide - Top Wildlife Photography Spots in South Africa - Author: Shem Compion - Published: 2010 - Page: 57

Go Birding in the Transvaal - Author: Brendan Ryan and John Isom - Published: 1990 - Page: 114

go! - Issue 130 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 96

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 114

Family Fun - Author: Lisa McNamara - Published: 2015 - Page: 135

Friends of Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary

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