Birding Gauteng describes three spots in the Rust de Winter area (about 70 kilometers north of Pretoria). started our journey as the sun rose on the Dinokeng Roadside Route (covered in chapter 59 of Birding Gauteng) - from the N1 highway and the entrance of what will soon be unveiled as the Dinokeng Game Reserve (the most accessible Big 5 reserve in the area). We paused at the bridge over the Pienaars river (missed identifying two raptors that took off from the tall trees as we arrived – the first of 3 or 4 missed sightings on the day) but after 10 minutes with nothing showing we moved on. Before we knew it we were already at the second signboard to the Uitvlug Loop and all we had seen was Pied Crow, Golden-breasted Bunting, Magpie Shrike and Cape Glossy Starling.

We pulled onto the Uitvlug Loop with great expectations and in stealth mode made our way down to the bridge over the Elands river – for the amazing sighting of one Reed Cormorant and 3 Hadeda Ibis. From there we at least began to see some birds – Black-shouldered Kite (adult and juvenile), Sabota Lark, Marico Flycatcher, Plain-backed Pipit, Lilac-breasted Roller, Groundscraper Thrush – and the second crossing over the Elands River yielded nothing. A bit disappointed with our luck, we continued towards Rust de Winter Dam.