Thursday, 04 February 2010 11:16

SABC news reported earlier this week that the Lesser Flamingo colony outside Kimberley had started breeding. For years there has been a colony of Lesser Flamingos living at Kamfer's Pan just north of Kimberley in the Northern Cape.

They have been under huge threat the last few years as a result of negative changes to their habitat. One of the challenges facing the flamingos has been the constantly rising water level of Kamfer's Pan and the resultant destruction of nesting sites. The reason for the rising water levels in essentially an arid climate are manifold.

In an attempt to recover lost ground, as it were, a man made island with hundreds of nests was built some years back and apparently the Flamingos have now started breeding.

That doesn't signal the end of all the challenges facing this unique site and much still has to be done, particularly by the local authorities to rectify what is essentially a mess created by us humans.

If you are travelling on the N14 from Johannesburg to Kimberley you pass the Kamfer's Pan on your right. At one time you get quite close to the Pan via a subway under the rail line but the rising waters have flooded that area. Still, with a good camera and tele photo lens you could get fairly good images.

We have asked Birdlife SA for some more info which we will add to the site when received. For quality accommodation in and around Kimberley we recommend self catering apartments with B & B option (Ref 3153) and Guesthouse in Kimberley (Ref 1919)

For more information on the flamingos, our varied birds, habitats, and activities related to birding visit Birdlife SA's website.