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SUMMARY
The Bot River estuary is an important wetland for various water-birds, and is especially of value as a safe refuge during the dry season. Its use by birds, however, varied widely over the study period, and was largely related to changing hydrological conditions in the estuary. Indications are that artificial breaching of the sand-bar in particular affects the bird community, and that favourable environmental conditions for most species develop only after prolonged periods of three or more years after breaching. It is recognized, however, that the establishment of periodic estuarine conditions by means of direct contact with the sea would be in the interest of the water-birds. It is therefore proposed that a management strategy of infrequent artificial breaching be pursued.