After a trip to Northern Farm in December 2010, I was preparing to write a field report when I noticed on Google Earth that there is a water purification plant just across the road from the entrance to Northern Farm. I arrived at the entrance one morning and met with a manager (Piet) who not only gave me directions on where to focus my efforts but also checked in with me during the time I was there. His wife is an ardent birder and he too seemed interested in the bird life on the property. Along the way I also met another worker, Malcolm, who actually lives at Northern Farm. I have not taken many scenery pics in case there is a security risk about the spot. Here a few pics that seem appropriate - the circular settling ponds were the location where I saw about a dozen waders - Common and Wood Sandpiper - I was hoping to spot the Green Sandpiper which has eluded me so far but it was nowhere to be found. I also saw Ruff at other dams on the property. In total I recorded 34 species in the 2 hours that I spent on the property.

Here are a few scenery pics (of a canal, of a dam, a settling pond and the Jukskei river where the purified water is released):

Here is a selection of pics that I took during the morning:

Here is a full list of birds that I saw on the property: Sacred Ibis; Cattle Egret; Red-winged Starling; Rock Dove; Cape Turtle Dove; Cape Sparrow; Pied Starling; Cape Wagtail; African Stonechat; Southern Red Bishop; Black-winged Stilt; Ruff; Common Sandpiper; Spur-winged Goose; Tawny-flanked Prinia; White-throated Swallow; Speckled Pigeon; Common Myna; Black-throated Canary; Egyptian Goose; Black-chested Prinia; Black-headed Heron; Southern Grey-headed Sparrow; African Reed Warbler; Barn Swallow; Grey Heron; Red-backed Shrike; Red-billed Quelea; Laughing Dove; Little Stint; Hadeda Ibis; Common Fiscal; Spotted Thick-knee and Crowned Lapwing.