Faan Meintjies is situated 12 km from Klerksdorp. The 1000 Ha reserve includes low koppies, scattered acacia thorn trees and large areas of grassveld. A 14km or 28km loop of well-maintained gravel roads offers access to all areas. There is a large picnic area and also three good quality chalets with an outstanding caravan park. The entry tickets have a bird list printed on the rear. Depending on the time taken to identify the many LBJs, the reserve can be covered just comfortably in one day. Staying overnight would enable one to see the nocturnal birds and animals as well.

Birding

1. At the ENTRANCE there is a resident Barn Owl in the thatched roof. The aloe at the office always has a breeding pair of Fiscal Flycatcher in summer. To the right of the office is a birdbath where many birds can be seen early in the morning - Common Scimitarbill, Cape Robin-Chat, Kalahari Scrub-Robin, Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler and all the finches including Violet-eared Waxbill.

2. The KOPPIES 500m to the right yield Mountain Wheatear and Barn Owl. When the aloes flower there are Malachite Sunbird here. One kilometer past that, is the Caravan Park where Ant-eating Chat and Familiar Chat have become very tame.

3. An OLD QUARRY is situated on a low koppie about 2 km further on the right. Here African Pipit, Long-billed Pipit and Buffy Pipit abound alongside Cape Longclaw. Also seen here are the nomadic Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark and Grey-backed Sparrowlark.

4. A LARGE SEASONAL DAM is about 1km past the quarry. African Spoonbill, Maccoa Duck and South African Shelduck arrive in summer along with many breeding Little Grebe. The small bushes alongside have breeding Scaly-feathered Finch.

5. The road meanders through a FLAT GRASSY AREA for the following 8 kilometers. This is where most of the grassveld type can be found: Melodious Lark, Rufous-naped Lark, Eastern Clapper Lark, Sabota Lark, Eastern Long-billed Lark and Spike-heeled Lark. Zitting Cisticola, Desert Cisticola, Cloud Cisticola and Levaillant's Cisticola (next to the dam). During wet years there are hundreds of Common Quail and Harlequin Quail calling from the grass. Dryer years offer Double-banded Courser and Burchell's Courser. Secretarybird stride around as well. Red-breasted Swallow breed under low culverts. During summer Black-winged Pratincole are also seen. Keep a look out for Great Sparrow.

6. After this one reaches the PICNIC AREA. This has Brubru, Bokmakierie and Red-throated Wryneck. Also all three mousebirds species, Lesser Grey Shrike and Red-backed Shrike as well. Greater Honeyguide and Lesser Honeyguide can be heard calling.

7. From here you can cut back to the gate or continue past the picnic spot. The rest of the road (16 km) goes through a mixture of grassveld and low koppies with scattered thorn trees. Halfway through this an old windmill offers a breeding site for Pied Crow each year.

8. The area around the CHALETS AND CARAVAN PARK can be used at night to see the Spotted Eagle-Owl as well as Barn Owl, Marsh Owl, Rufous-cheeked Nightjar and Spotted Thick-knee. A Cape Penduline-Tit has bred near the chalets. Ashy Tit can be heard.

9. RAPTORS, MIGRANT AND NOMADIC SPECIES seen in the reserve are Pallid Harrier, Lanner Falcon, Greater Kestrel, European Honey-Buzzard, Gabar Goshawk, Red-chested Cuckoo, Diderick Cuckoo, Great Spotted Cuckoo and Capped Wheatear. African Grey Hornbill and Grey Go-away-bird may also be seen at odd times.

10. ANIMALS include Sable Antelope, Duiker, Steenbok, White Rhinoceros, Aardwolf and Aardvark.

General
The road to the reserve is well signposted at all entrances to Klerksdorp. Entry is from 10am till 4pm. Residents in the Chalets/caravan Park may move around the park at any time. An entry fee is payable. Tel: + 27 18 462 5700 and Fax: +27 18 462 5700

Tony Archer 1998.