Verlorenvlei at Redelinghuys

The vlei is an important feeding area for the rare white pelican (Peleanus onocrotalus).

In a survey of the whole Verlorenvlei area in December 1980 by Underhill and Cooper (1983), 3 655 waders were reported, of which 2 829 were migrants and 727 residents.

This same survey yielded a total of 6 829 birds of 60 species in the environs of Verlorenvlei.

Verlorenvlei’s importance as a bird habitat is not restricted to waders. The vlei provides feeding, nesting and roosting sites for many bird species. There are around 200 species of birds in the surrounding area.

It is an important moulting area for Egyptian Geese and other waterfowl.

Waterbirds seen at Verlorenvlei include herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills and flamingos. The presence of Glossy Ibises, and African Spoonbills is important, since these species are uncommon in the south-western Cape (Cooper 1976).

Flamingos appear at Verlorenvlei when other vlei area, such as Rocher Pan 35km to the south, and Wadrifsoutpan 13km to the north, dry up. Flamingos are listed in the South African Red Data Book as requiring conservation (Brooke 1984).