The previous time of our visit, I took all of the photos from the road, as we didn't know that there was a bird spotting hide at the place.
The dam water was covered in green algae, and I think that they are waiting for the mating season to be over before they will clear all of the algae out. But not to panic, as I will show you what the dam looks like with clear water, in a sourced article link below.
One of Montagu's most popular and easily accessible tourism venues is the Leidam with its large variety of indigenous birds, situated in the heart of town at the north-westerly corner of Barry and Bath Streets.
One of the most fascinating sites it is a ornithologists dream come true. Endlessly photographed it is home to 18 species of birds (including Sacred Ibis, Herons, Cormorants, Egrets, Shrikes and Weavers) that use it as their breeding ground. If this is not enough, more than 52 visiting species have been identified.
A bird hide, recently constructed (and funded entirely by the community), makes this already popular tourist attraction even more of a magnet for the thousands of bird watchers who come from all corners of the planet to see it year after year.
It has been noted by authorities to be a unique bird gathering site in an urban setting - a true phenomenon.
This is what the dam looks like when the water is clear of any algae.
I tried to get the bird's shadow in flight here below.
Watch how the Sacred Ibis feeds the baby.
The baby sticks its beak right into the crop of the mother. Normally its the other way around, as the parents of a baby stick their beaks into the baby's crop. The Ibis's obviously do it the other way around.
This is at the far right of the dam near the birds on the float.
Just a community shot.
Oops! Some mother's egg dropped into the dam.
Here is an Ibis returning from the hardware shop with a plank for its nest:)
And this is at the far left hand side of the dam. Look how many weaver nests are in that palm tree above the Ibis birds.
Now what does he say to the other one that scared it into flight?
Two little Egret babies to end the post.
It was a wonderful short time that we spent at this dam, and there are so many birds that we couldn't count them all. You can believe me that I tried to count the Ibises in only one tree where the community is in, but it is impossible because they come and go. You start to count, and then some more come in and some go, and you have to start counting again. In their article above they state that there are 52 species of birds visiting this dam, and they also tell us that thousands of birdwatching tourists visit the dam every year.
I hope you have enjoyed the story and the pictures.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon Powershot SX70HS Bridge camera.
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