Outing to Macassar.
19 January 2025– Led by Jacque Smit.

A group of about thirty birders met at 08h00 on a perfect summer’s day, with no wind, at this prime birding spot. Two years ago, when we had our first CBC outing here in recent years, we had a record attendance of about 100 people. Last year in February, the number understandably dropped quite a bit to about fifty, and this year was lower, as expected, to a more “normal” attendance number for an outing.
As we drove in, we were amazed to find that all four pans had no water at all, and were covered in a dark sludge. Fortunately, this is not where most of the birding takes place. Jacque Smit, who had been there already at 06h30, led us straight to the farthest point of the sand dunes which overlook the estuary. We enjoyed a fly-by of a couple of hundred terns, and then were able to get good views through the various scopes of the four tern species, including a pair of striking Caspian Terns.
Looking back to the bushes, and beyond the treatment works, we saw a Rock Kestrel, a distant Jackal Buzzard and a memorable view of a Hamerkop within about five or ten minutes. As the Hamerkop flew with the sun shining through the underwings, I was struck by how orange they were.
One of the Bishops Bird Club members looks through a scope, on the left. Intrepid leader Jacque looks on, while stalwarts Gigi and Dennis assist other birders, as always.
An unexpected sighting and encounter for Gigi on the sandy path above the estuary
The rest of the outing was a leisurely stroll along the Eerste River, as it flowed close to the pans. There was considerable interest in several individual Common Sandpipers, a Ruff on the far bank, a juvenile Malachite Kingfisher just below us on the river’s edge and a Pied Kingfisher, already seen earlier. Dennis Laidler had seen a Giant Kingfisher fly across his path as they drove in, making a pleasing trio of kingfishers.
A Ruff (on left) wades in the Eerste River, with the much smaller Little Stint next to it.
Other birds logged included Mallard, South African Shelduck and Sanderling. Aerial feeders were there aplenty. I don’t remember seeing so many flamingos at Macassar before, the majority being Lesser Flamingos.
We headed back to the cars, where some stayed for tea and a chat about the morning’s birding and the Flock to Marion voyage, only a few days away. The idea which was discussed at 08h00 about an hour’s walk over the dunes, seemed less attractive now at 11h00, as it was extremely hot – and it was soon shelved. Two City of Cape Town security staff had been keeping an eye on our cars as we walked and we are grateful for their assistance.
From my point of view, the group represented a pleasing mixture of ages and experience, ranging from the youngest member of twelve years (who scored twelve ‘lifers’) to others close to eighty. Over a third were there for the first time. It was good to have a brand-new CBC member, visitors from local bird clubs, as well as others who expressed interest in joining the club.
A big “thank you” goes to Jacque for sharing his knowledge of this precious gem of a birding spot. He logged 79 species. With the Giant Kingfisher included, that means 80 birds were seen, without the benefit of the pans – or the dune walk!
Photographs by Penny Dichmont, Elizabeth Britz and Taryn Wood.
Report by Penny Dichmont.
Jacque compiled a bird list which can be found at https://links.bindo.app/shared/list/6790b127adb505463ea8e52d