The Schurveberg and Hennops Valley route (covered in chapter 33 of Birding Gauteng) is a delightful route for roadside birding and if you gain access to the Health and Hydro Spar it will be hard to beat the day's outing. One of my highlights on this trip was releasing a juvenile Diderick Cuckoo that was found on the property of a friend. I explored the Hennops river and even reached a section at the end of the route that was impassable due to the levels of the water (the pic should justify my decision to turn back!). I will also forever remember this day as I stood on a huge Puff Adder (at the Hennop's River Picnic site on the way home from the route) that thought twice about striking at me - but I lept out of it's way and fortunately it was as surprised as I was at the encounter.

Here are some scenery pics of the Hoogland Spa:

Here are a seclection of pics that I took of birds on the day:

The rest of the route was not too productive as the sun was high and it was seriously hot (all I recall seeing was European Bee-eater and Steppe Buzzard). I had to turn back when I reached the Hennops River crossing - which was impassable, and back tracked along the route eventually heading towards Magaliesberg to visit the Hennops River Picnic Site where I had a scary encounter with a Puff Adder. Here are some pics: