IN recent months a number of motorists and visitors to Walvis Bay have been puzzled by a structure outside Walvis Bay, next to the road to the airport.
At the onset of the construction process some thought it to be a temporary shelter or storage building. Yet, residents and visitors were pleasantly surprised to find it to be the perfect spot for bird-watching in the wetlands known as the Bird Paradise.For the past few decades the Bird Paradise has become an important wetland supporting about 20 000 birds at any given time. The freshwater wetland is located on the eastern periphery of Walvis Bay along the main road to the airport. The area borders the municipal sewage works, which occasionally pump semi-purified wastewater into the wetland. Over the years this practice created a large strip of fertile land covered with a number of plant species, especially reeds, and supporting a large variety of bird and small animal species. The reed and brush undergrowth as well as the constant water supply has turned this area into the ideal sanctuary and breeding area for many bird species, earning this area its local name of Bird Paradise. In addition the birds enjoy protection from the harsh desert winds and predators, while the nutrient-rich swamp areas provide a wealth of food sources including small invertebrates, frogs and lizards.As an initiative funded by the Namibia Coastal Management Project (NACOMA) and supported by the Municipality of Walvis Bay and the Ministry of Environment, the newly established Walvis Bay Bird Paradise facility offers guided birding walks, a refreshment stop and a wealth of information about the bird species and other flora in the wetland. According to the project guide, Karel !Naibab, the facility aims to create awareness of the unique and protected birdlife in the wetlands. ‘People often see different birds at the coast without realising that some may be endangered, or unique to this part of the world. Similarly, people drive by the Bird Paradise marshes without realising the wealth of bird and small animal life in the reeds. This facility will help to create awareness and appreciation of our coastal bird life,’ he added.It is expected that the Walvis Bay Bird Paradise facility will be expanded to allow local small entrepreneurs to exhibit and sell crafts and curios, while visitors will also be able to enjoy snacks and coffee.’We realise that bird-watching may not be at the top of the list of what many Namibians consider recreation, but we firmly believe there is a need to provide tourists, bird lovers, nature photographers, school groups and tertiary students with a first-hand and close-up experience of the birds in their natural habitat. We also wish to work closely with local tour operators to include our facility in their itineraries,’ !Naibab said. During the past winter up to 70 000 birds were recorded in this area and even more are expected during the summer. The wetland also ties in with the larger Ramsar site, the Walvis Bay Lagoon and Sandwich Harbour. The Walvis Bay Bird Paradise observation post was created to provide visitors a birds-eye view of the various bird species and interesting ecological desert life thriving in this wetland. Some of the most interesting and colourful bird species that can be spotted here include the little white egret, curlew sandpiper, great crested grebe, lesser flamingo, Cape teal, black-winged stilt, Macao duck, Hottentot teal, chestnut-banded plover, purple swamp hen and Kittlitz’s plover.The facility is open daily from 07h30 – 16h00.
