The Strandfontein Sewage Works is the best waterbird locality close to Cape Town. The now defunct works is a large complex of reed fringed pans situated between Strandfontein and Muizenberg on the False Bay coastline near Cape Town and is close to the Rondevlei Nature Reserve and Zeekoevlei.
As the pans are connected by gravel roads, this is an ideal spot to see the birds from the car. Marine species also come in from the bay to roost and breed. All the grebes and most of the duck species from the South Western Cape, including Maccoa Duck, are usually resident.
In summer, large flocks of waders arrive. Greater and occasionally Lesser Flamingos, Cape Cormorants, White Pelicans and White-winged Terns visit the ponds, while the adjacent dunes are home to a variety of strandveld birds. The African Marsh Harrier is also resident as well as some other rare species that have been recorded by locals, including White-rumped Sandpipers, American Purple Gallinule and European Oystercatcher.
Access by car from Cape Town: Take the M5 freeway south from Cape Town and turn left into Ottery Road and continue for just over 4kms until the junction with Strandfontein Road (M17). Turn right and continue to Zeekoeivlei sign, turn right.
Access by car from Muizenberg: From Baden Powell Drive (R310), turn north on the M17 towards Cape Town. Find the Zeekoeivlei turnoff on your left after about 4kms.
Rondevlei Nature Reserve is close to the Strandfontein Sewerage Works. Hippos have been re-introduced and the reserve protects the vlei and its surrounding reed beds. The bird hide is pleasant and over 200 species have been recorded. Of interest are the Southern Boubou, Pied Barbet, African Marsh Harrier, Purple Gallinule, African Fish Eagle, Burchell’s Coucal, Hottentot Teal, Great White Egret, Little Bittern, Black Crake, Painted Snipe, White Pelican, Great Crested Grebe, Caspian Tern, Lesser Flamingo, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff and Wood Sandpiper
Rondevlei Nature Reserve: From Strandfontein Road, take Fifth Avenue; turn left into Lake Road and right into Fisherman’s Walk.
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