Korsman Conservancy - Benoni, East Rand, Johannesburg
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Korsman Conservancy is a non-profit organisation of residents and 'Citizen Conservationists' caring for Korsman Bird Sanctuary on The Drive, Westdene, Benoni. (Image adapted). © Korsman Conservancy![]()
Flamingos at the Korsman Conservancy in Benoni.
Korsman Conservancy - Benoni, East Rand, Johannesburg
The Korsman Conservancy, a 49 hectare sanctuary, is little more than a kilometre from the centre of Benoni on the East Rand of Johannesburg and encompasses a small natural pan which occupies over half the total area. It is considered one of South Africa's best urban bird sanctuaries.
The Sanctuary is fenced and access to the public is not generally allowed. There are no hides. It is completely encircled by The Drive. A 2,5 kilometre grass sidewalk allows views from all sides. Raised benches allow good views over the pan. The fence is generally no more than 20 or 30 metres from the edge of the pan, depending on fluctuating water levels. With access being restricted the main attraction is inevitably the birdlife.
The Sanctuary is regarded as relatively safe, located in a boom controlled access area (with no entry fee). The grass verge between The Drive and the fence lends itself to picnics though there are no toilet facilities or shops in the immediate vicinity. However there are a number of restaurants immediately to the east, in Western Extension.
141 species of birds have been recorded. Ones which are not commonly seen in urban and suburban areas but can be seen in the sanctuary's aquatic setting include the Cape Shoveler, African Spoonbill, African (Purple) Swamphen, Hottentot Teal, Red-billed Teal, Reed Cormorant, White-breasted Cormorant, African Darter, Maccoa Duck, White faced whistling duck, Greater Flamingo, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Goliath Heron, Pied Kingfisher, Lesser Flamingo, Little Bittern and Black Crake.
The sanctuary is looked after by Korsman Conservancy, a non-profit company of volunteers, in conjunction with the city council, dedicated to maintaining its natural state and indigenous fauna and flora, free of aliens. This includes collecting litter and regular burns.
The Sanctuary is fenced to prevent disturbing the birds and trampling the vegetation, which is why access is not generally permitted.
Walkers / Families: The perimeter is 2.5km around with a pathway for 1.4km and a grass verge for the remainder. There are numerous benches and shaded areas suitable for picnics on the grass.
Accessibility: A Council-built pathway extends along 1.6km of perimeter. The berms at Pan Rd, Shannon Rd and no 24 have wheelchair ramps. A bypass pathway behind the berm opposite 48 The Drive is flat for wheelchairs where the Council path is too steeply cambered.
Dogs: Keep dogs on leashes and pick up after them to keep Korsman pleasant for all. There are ten community dog poo bag dispensers around the perimeter.
Cyclists: Ride on the left hand side if the road, in accordance with the rules of the road. The safest direction is anti-clockwise, as this avoids intersections. Do not ride on the pedestrian walkway.
The area: The Sanctuary is within a 'considered safe' boomed residential suburb of Lakefield / Westdene. There are six entrance gates into the suburb. There are cafes and restaurants outside the suburb. There are no toilet facilities in the suburb.
Contact details for the Korsman Conservancy:
Telephone: see website
Email: see website
Website: http://www.korsmanconservancy.com
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