Sandwich-Harbour lays about 32km south of Walvis
Bay. It was possible to unload small ships at Sandwich Harbour right
into the early part of the last century, but the shifting sands
have now silted the landing area, so today Sandwich
Harbour is in name only. For
visitors to Namibia, even if you have your own 4 x 4. I strongly
recommend you take one of the half-day or full-day Guided-Tours to
this wilderness area. The route is along the shoreline and thus
subject to tide times. The local guides who specialize in these
tours are fully aware of the dangers and on-going changes in
conditions. They are experienced sand-drivers and will take you
down the slip face of the 'Roaring-Dunes'. They will show you
all of the 'things' that you didn't know about. Out there, it's
remote, tranquil, and will sooth your mind. Should you decide to
drive yourself to Sandwich Harbour you will need to buy a permit
form the Ministry of Environment and Tourism Office
The Birds: The West Coastline of Southern
Africa stretching from the mouth of the Kunene River to the Cape
Peninsula is a distance of 2,000km and can be an unforgiving place.
Approximately mid-point lays the rich feeding grounds of the Walvis-Bay-Wetlands that also offers the largest single area of sheltered
shallow water along the whole coastline. It is a veritable paradise for
birds, and bird watchers throughout the year. You will find about 31
species here. However, you should consider the migration seasons of
the various species. The months of October and November see the
arrival of Terns that have flown from afar as Scandinavia and
Western Asia, journeys often in excess of 10,000km.
Sand-pipers
breed in the Arctic Circle and then, accompanied by their chicks,
just a few weeks old, fly South across 90 degrees of Latitude to
enjoy the Walvis Bay summer.
The Greater and Lesser
Flamingos fly inland during the month of December, some 750km to
Etosha and others 1500km to Northern Botswana were they breed on the
vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans flooded by the summer rains. They make
the return journey with surviving youngsters in March.
The National Geographic Channel has a Wildlife Program named
"Kalahari" that shows graphically the astounding trek that
the chicks have to make with their parents during this period. It is
a must watch.
After Lake Nakuru in Kenya,
seasonally, this is the best place to see Flamingos. If you visit
during the 'residency months' you will see up to 60,000 of them
paddling around in the shallow waters, heads inverted as they dine
and cackle amongst each other, while above V-formed squadrons of Pelicans patrol.
It's along this coastline
between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay that tens upon tens of thousands
of black cormorants make their daily commute flying in a seemingly
endless long black line that stretches from one horizon to the
other. When a shoal of anchovies is spotted the bird 'traffic
density' above the fish makes one wonder as to how mid-air
collisions can possibly be avoided.
It's all a wonder of nature,
and if you're a photographer be sure to bring along some powerful
telescopic equipment. With a bit of patience the rewards will prove
to be most memorable.
The Walvis Bay Ramsa Site - Winter Bird
Count (August 2005) recorded:
There was a movement by the
flamingos during the count and it is estimated that the undercount
of these species is between 10,000 to 12,000 birds. Of Flamingo
juveniles only 73 Greater and 162 Lesser were counted. It is
believed that many of the Flamingos remained at the Sua-Pan in
Botswana. One of the migratory inland breeding areas. Sightings were
also made of European Oyster Catcher, Red-necked Phalarope,
Black-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank and Osprey
Acknowledgements and further reading: P1,P5, T8
