Abe Bailey Nature Reserve
The Abe Bailey Nature Reserve situated near Carletonville on the West Rand. The reserve is named after the mining magnate, Sir Abe Bailey, who farmed and hunted in the area during the early part of the last century and whose original hunting lodge now serves as the reserve offices. The reserve is approximately 4200ha in extent.
The reserve is predominantly comprised of Carletonville Dolomite Grassland and associated wetlands with scattered caves and patches of broad-leafed and acacia woodland. The wetland itself is diverse ranging from dense reed beds to shallow open water, patches of short emergent vegetation, extensive areas of flooded grassland and narrow mudflats. The combination of wetland, grassland and bush habitat makes this a rewarding birding destination at any time of year and throughout the day. Despite an already impressive species list, the relatively low visitor frequency means that new birds are regularly encountered adding an element of excitement to any visit.
The reserve provides excellent viewing of both grassland and wetland birds, while the woodland patches occasionally provide interesting surprises. The current reserve list stands at over 260 species of which over 100 are residents or regular migrants. This is an excellent destination for novices, while experienced birders can expect to record over 100 species during the course of a morning in summer.
No bird hides are currently available, but a vehicle serves just as well on the main entry road which has been paved. The bridge across the wetland is an excellent spot for catching glimpses of Black Crakes and African Purple Swamphens as well as good sightings of Black Herons and of course large numbers of Red-knobbed Coots and Moorhens.
Birds are best observed on foot and excellent views of a variety of species are possible if one is prepared to walk quietly. Park your vehicle at the reserve offices and spend some time searching/listening for the Red-throated Wrynecks, Paradise Flycatchers, Karoo Thrushes, Cape Robin-Chats, Grey-headed Sparrows, Glossy Starlings and Cape White-eyes that can often be found there. Walk back along the entry road to the wetland and keep a lookout for Black-collared, Pied and Crested Barbets, Black-eyed and Red-eyed Bulbuls, Speckled, Red-faced and White-backed Mousebirds, African Hoopoes, Diedericks Cuckoos, Chestnut-vented Titbabblers, Blue Waxbills, Black-throated Canaries, Black-chested Prinia and other interesting birds in the long grass, bushes and woodland patches adjacent to the road. Fairy Flycatchers may be encountered here in winter.
Once back at the wetland, turn right (i.e. west with the sun behind you) and follow the rough path along the edge of the water until you reach a stand of large Eucalyptus trees. The first 100m of the floodplain has recently become inundated with shallow water and while affording some excellent views of ducks and waders, visitors will need to scout carefully for a dry route around this section. A canal has been dug along the length of the wetland and the numerous, well-spaced, vegetated mounds provide ideal vantage points, but care should be taken to avoid stepping into a Ground Squirrel burrow. Keep a lookout for African Rails, Black Crakes, Squacco Herons and Little Bitterns. Good sightings of African Purple Swamphens, Reed and White-breasted Cormorants, Darters, African Spoonbills, Glossy Ibises and a wide variety of ducks, geese, herons and egrets are usually possible. Three bridges once spanned the canal, but these have become unsafe and should not be used.
Avocets, Black-winged Stilts, Three-banded Plovers, Ruffs, Marsh and Wood Sandpipers and African Snipes can frequently be seen feeding in the shallower areas and on the adjacent mudflats. Yellow-billed Storks are regular summer visitors while Greater Flamingoes are occasionally recorded. Don't forget to keep one eye on the more aerial species as a variety of swifts, swallows and martins may be seen hawking for food over the wetland throughout the year. Both African and Western Marsh-Harriers have been spotted patrolling the wetland on rare occasions while small flocks of African Quailfinches and Orange-breasted Waxbills are regularly encountered on this walk.
Few additional species are likely to be recorded beyond the stand of Eucalyptus trees and this is a good place to turn around. Cormorants and Darters have nested in the dead trees on the far side of the wetland and these are always worth scanning for activity. From the Eucalyptus trees, one can either return to the reserve offices by retracing the wetland route or alternatively there is a rough road running through the adjacent grassland. Stonechats, Cape Longclaws, Wattled and Crowned Lapwings and flocks of Long-tailed and White-winged Widowbirds, Red and Yellow-crowned Bishops, Red-billed Queleas and Pin-tailed Whydahs frequent this grassland area.
For those who are particularly interested in viewing grassland species, the reserve staff should be contacted for directions to the most appropriate tracks/trails. There are currently no formal access roads for visitors to drive through the grassland habitat. In addition to those grassland species already mentioned, Northern Black Korhaans, Helmeted Guineafowls, Swainson's Francolins, Rufous-naped, Spike-heeled and Clapper Larks and Ant-eating Chats are commonly recorded. Capped Wheatears may be abundant in burnt areas at certain times of year and Namaqua Doves and Secretarybirds have also been encountered on occasion.
Directions from OR Tambo Int'l Airport
From Johannesburg, take the M1/N1 to Bloemfontein and then the N12 west following the signs to Potchefstroom. Before the railway bridge across the N12 turn right on the R501 to Carletonville. Take the first turning into Carletonville, cross the railway line and then proceed along Agnew Road to the 4-way stop on Annan Road. Cross over Annan road passing the Carletonville Technical College on the right. Turn right into Ada Street and continue straight over the bridge (grain silos on the right) until you see signs indicating Khutsong to the left. Proceed as to Khutsong, and keep a sharp lookout for the Abe Bailey Nature Reserve sign on the right after approximately 3.8km. For those who have visited the reserve before, the new gate is several hundred metres further along from the original entrance. If you reach the intersection at the entrance to Khutsong, then you have gone too far. Approximate travelling time from OR Tambo International Airport is 90 minutes.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude: 27° 20' E
Longitude: 26° 18' S
Additional Information
Contact number for site: +27(0)18-788-3290
Gate opening and closing times
Open Close
Summer 06H00 18H00
Winter 06H00 18H00
Entry Fee
R5 per person and R5 per vehicle (payable at the reserve office) ? (2009)
Ablution facilities are available for day visitors while groups can make use of the recently completed lecture hall and kitchen. The original chalets and braai area have been completely renovated and dormitory accommodation is now also available. Those wishing to make use of the lecture facilities or accommodation should contact the reserve manager on (018) 788 3290 during office hours.
There is no longer a fence between the reserve and the neighbouring township of Khutsong and visitors may well encounter groups gathering firewood from stands of exotic trees. Although no incidents have been reported, it is nevertheless advisable for people to visit the reserve in groups and no valuables should be left in vehicles.