Gamtoos River Mouth

Gamtoos River Mouth Nature Reserve situated 25 km east of Humansdorp has a good selection of waders and terns and is probably best known for Eurasian Oystercatcher, that is a vagrant to the area in most years.

Specials
African Black Oystercatcher, Bar-tailed Godwit, Terek Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew and Little Tern.

Birding
The best view of the mudbanks is from the road or from a “bird walk” that leads off to the right just before entering the reserve (1 hr). A large freshwater vlei 1.5 km east of the blind arm of the estuary often holds good numbers of duck and rallids, including Hottentot Teal and African Rail (2 hrs). African Marsh-Harrier are often seen and in summer Eurasian Hobby can be found on the sand dunes near the mouth.

Facilities
footpaths, picnic area and a campsite.

General
To get to the reserve take the exit off the N2 to either the east or west of the Gamtoos River and from the old PE – Cape Town road take the only tar road towards the coast (near where the road passes under the N2). A small entrance fee is charged at weekends and peak periods and there is a campsite / picnic area. Information may be obtained from Featherbed Nature Reserve or Kouga Municipality tel: +27 42 293 1111. Bird & Eco-Tours tel. +27 41 466 5698 offers a tour/guiding/ free information service in the Port Elizabeth area.

Paul Martin 2002.
Bird & Eco-Tours, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
pamartin@glabal.co.za, Tel: +27 41 466 5698