by Etienne Marais

Introduction:
Vaalkop dam lies in the NorthWest province, between Brits and Pilanesberg. The Vaalkop Dam which lies on the Elands River has had low water levels until '96 and gained a reputation as an excellent place for waterbirds - including vagrants. Lakeside plains (presently flooded), fairly open Savannah and farmland habitats attract a variety of grassland species. Woodland habitats are dominated by acacia, with broadleaf woodland to the West in an area now included in the Northwest Parks Bird Sanctuary. The dam is flanked by two koppies, the larger of which gives Vaalkop its name. Recently the Dam has become more popular among fishermen, and this, combined with the high water levels make it a little more crowded than previously. Nevertherless it remains an accessible and high quality birding area, and experienced birders would expect to record in the region of 150 species in a day in summer.

Birds:
Large waterbirds usually present include Goliath, Great White and Purple Heron, Yellowbilled Stork and Spoonbill. Water Dikkop, Black Heron (summer), Greenbacked Heron, Great Crested Grebe and Cape Shoveller can also bee seen. Waders (summer) include Curlew Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and sometimes Turnstone.

In the bushveld around the dam Crimsonbreasted Shrike, Barred Warbler, Violet-eared and Blackcheeked Waxbill, Kalahari Robin and Cape Penduline Tit are present. Summer visitors include Icterine Warbler, Bluecheeked Bee-eater, Woodland and Pygmy Kingfisher. After good rains Monotonous Lark is conspicuous. Raptors can be well represented and include African Fish Eagle, Black, Wahlbergs (summer) and African Hawk Eagle. Osprey is also regular.

Birding:
The best areas (outside of the NorthWest Parks area for which permission must be obtained) are the following:

1. Along the South East shoreline and road which follows the south east border. PERMISSION REQUIRED AT PRESENT - SEE BELOW Turn right at the entrance control point and then keep right, crossing over a cement canal. Beyond the canal one follows the fence through mixed acacia bushveld. After about half a kilometre the acacia becomes dominant. This area is excellent for acacia thornveld species such as Kalahari and White-browed Robin, Barred Warbler and Cape Penduline Tit, Violet-eared and Blackcheeked Waxbill and Melba Finch. Watch overhead for raptors and in summer for Bee-eaters - European and Bluecheeked as well as displaying Whydah's (Shaftailed and Paradise are both present. At a farm kraal just outside the reserve border get out and look out for Pearlbreasted Swallow and if there are cattle around: Redbilled Oxpecker. The best place for waterbirds is the shoreline from the point where the canal enters the lake onwards.

2. The riverine bush and river below the dam wall. This can be reached by keeping left at the main entrance and keeping straight on. The dam wall (visible from the bridge) attracts a lot of swallows and swifts including House Martin, Lesser and Greater striped Swallow and Horus Swift. Riverine Bush (being degraded by Syringa encroachment) still offers habitat for Spottedbacked Weaver, Greybacked Bleating Warbler, Southern Boubou and White-throated Robin (around the toilets on the far side of the river). Look for Black-crowned Night Heron, Greenbacked Heron, Pied and Brownhooded Kingfisher, as well as Black Crake, African Jacana and Darter.

3. The steeper woodland up against the hill where the road climbs over the extended dam wall. Stop at this point and scan the shoreline for Greenbacked Heron and Water Dikkop. The bush along the edge of the hill is worth a thorough search for Barthroated Apalis, Jameson's Firefinch, Yellow-fronted Tinker Barbet, Puffback Shrike and Greybacked Bleating Warbler. Shorttoed Rock Thrush are often seen in this area.

4. The settling ponds before the football field to the right of the road as you come in. Leave the reserve again and drive around to these settling ponds. This area usually has a different range of waterbirds from Vaalkop itself including Cape Shoveller, Little Bittern, Cape and European Sedge Warbler, Burchell's Coucal and Malachite Kingfisher.

5. Farmlands outside Vaalkop. Irrigated lands and a variety of crops seem to provide good habitat for a range of birds which can usually be seen on from the road in from Beestekraal. These include Chestnutbacked Finchlark, Redcapped Lark, Paradise and Shaftailed Whydah and occassionally Temmincks Courser.

Directions:
Vaalkop Dam is about 120 km from Pretoria. Take the N4 toll road to Brits and then proceed straight on (R511) towards Thabazimbi. After about 35 km (just after a railway bridge) follow the sign to the left towards Vaalkop Dam. Cross the Crocodile River and at the T-Junction turn right. After 12 km (of prime birding road) turn left at the Vaalkop Dam sign. The entrance is about 1 km further on the right-hand side, and just before this is the road to Bushwillow, where the permit for the North-west Bird Sanctuary must be collected.

Vaalkop Permits:
Nick or Amy Bezuidenhout, North West Parks and Tourism Tel 01211-771627 Cell 083 765 1704

Since reception is poor, you need to be persistent on both lines to get through!