Northern Farm Diepsloot is one of the most beautiful and scenic sanctuaries in Johannesburg, and is a delight for any nature lover, especially for those interested in bird watching. The farm has over 300 bird species, including a breeding pair of the much-loved fish eagle.
Some of the birds seen at the farm are black-crowned night heron, great crested grebe, goliath heron, little bittern, Cape long claw, red-capped lark, African fish eagle, long-crested eagle, Ovambo sparrowhawk, black sparrowhawk, African purple swamp hen, green-backed heron, African black duck, African spoonbill, red-chested flufftail, Cape grassbird and comb duck.
Several species can be seen on the farm that are unusual in urban Johannesburg, including Cape crow, marsh owl, arrow-marked babbler and orange-breasted waxbill. Summer migrants include yellow wagtail, common house martin, sedge warbler, great reed warbler, diderick cuckoo, African paradise flycatcher, amur falcon and steppe buzzard.
In summer, the grassland and cattle kraal areas often have yellow wagtail, amur falcon, greater kestrel, African pipit and pied starling. Nomadic birds like the capped wheatear are seen regularly and numbers of long-tailed widowbird and white-winged widowbird can be expected.
The rest of the area comprises scrublands, grasslands and exotic trees; the poplars are particularly used for nesting by birds each year. There is one hide at one of the large dams, with more being planned.
