The reserve was named after the late Dr. T.C. Robertson a renowned conservationist and is situated along the Mpambanyoni River, at the entrance of Scottburgh along the R102. The reserve is home to over a 180 bird species. Small antelope such as Duiker and Bush buck can be seen as well as Banded Mongeese. A 10 km trail system offers wonderful views of the forest and flood plains. Some 80 species of indigenous trees have been identified and named and more more were donated to the reserve. The Visitor’s Centre, Braai and toilet facilities have just been upgraded. A nature talk is given on the last Sunday of each month.
This 60 hectare strip of land was converted into a nature reserve by a small group of Scottburgh residents in 1989 and named after Dr TC Robertson – a leader in conservation in the country who spent his last years in the town. Sir Lourens van der Post became one of the patrons of the project.
Today it is a green lung of the town, a favoured picnic spot only 10 minutes’ walk from the beach with 180 species of bird, blue and grey duiker, and a coastal trail popular with those keen on coastal trees.
Twelve kilometres of established self-guided trails wend their way through forest, coastal grasslands, wetlands, river and estuary systems, palmveld and thornveld.
The reserve in spring is full of wild flowers. Other reasons to visit are the wonderful views out over the forest and the floodplain of the Mpambanyoni River. Mpambanyoni means ‘where birds gather’ and hints at the prolific bird life of the reserve.
If you are lucky you will sight the African fish eagle, blacksmith lapwing, village and yellow weavers, wood sandpipers, little rush warblers and chorister robin-chats, the African goshawk and the black sparrowhawk amongst a long list of 200 birds in the area.
There are also buck, butterflies, mongoose and monkeys.
You will find TC Robertson nature Reserve off the Old Main South Coast Road just north of the Mpambinyoni River bridge. There are no entrance fees. Make a day of it by combining a visit to the nature reserve with Scottburgh beach – Aliwal Shoal just off the coast is rated one of the top ten dive sites in the world.
Source: SA Venues