Fluffball – in danger

I was out trying to find a reported squished tortoise when I came across exhibit A in a dangerous position, obviously having left the nest, after consulting the Nat Con people I dropped it out of harms way into the reserve where it did a spectacular face plant, flight not yet being its strong suit. This was on the 4th of November 2011. Skilled Nat Cons people returned it to the nest that evening, however the 2nd bigger chick obviously wanted its own room and the fluff ball has visited the ground often since then only to be rescued by those in the know. Mum bird is keeping a careful eye on the goings on and apparently it is perfectly normal for the chicks to be cared for on the ground. So should the weasels from 100 acre wood try anything – beware, you will be dinner for owlets…

Mum keeping a watchful eye

At one point the chicks were moved or moved themselves much higher in the tree as they were probably getting to much attention, however Exhibit A still attempted flight and on 9-November I found it on the ground near the road again so after further consultation with the pros and to much hooting encouragement from mummy bird, I unceremoniously dropped it back into the reserve, this time it glided rather than the undignified face plant of the previous dumping. The chick clicked away at me as I picked it up and the beak is already looking scary and feathers growing fast -

Safe in the reserve

If you know where these wonderful gifts are – keep the secret safe – IF YOU MESS WITH THEM – BEWARE! It is an honour to live here and have such beauty around us.

The sad part of the story is I did find the tortoise – crushed under the wheel of a car, please drive carefully, you may kill an owl or an otter, a tortoise, turtle or snake…

The major factor is believed to be a lack of flushing during drawdown resulting from a lack of rain.

The bacterial measurement for September was above the water quality guideline for recreation, as was the algal sample in August. Unfortunately real time data is not available at present. Further advice and clarification has been requested from scientific services. The possibility of more regular testing is also being explored.

In light of this, City of Cape Town Nature Conservation advises all users to avoid contact with the water until such time as advice is received from scientific services.

A second notice will be issued at that time.

Kind regards,
Joshua Gericke
Manager: Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve
Biodiversity Management Branch
ERMD
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 396 4281
Fax: 021 706 2405
Email: ZeekoevleiNature.Reserve@capetown.gov.za

What they are and how to minimise their ‘impact’ on you

Spring has arrived, with summer on its way, and with these seasons comes the arrival of swarms of midges (or commonly known as ‘miggies’) in and around Zeekoevlei. Following on from complaints by residents about the ”plagues of miggies” experienced in previous years, and the nuisance impact of these, a study was conducted by an intern at the City of Cape Town, in conjunction with Dr Liz Day of The Freshwater Consulting Group.
Some of the main objectives of the study were to:

• Describe the extent of the midge problem at Zeekoevlei
• Highlight its impact on the community
• Comment on the ecological significance of midge populations in the vlei ecosystem
• Recommend environmentally sensitive control measures to minimise midge impacts

What is a midge?
A midge is the most common wetland invertebrate and belongs to the Class Insecta (insects), Order Diptera (flies). There are 300-400 species in southern Africa, and 10 000-15 000 species worldwide.
The midges one sees flying about are the adult form, and have very short life spans out of the water.

The diagram below shows the life cycle of a midge:

Males form breeding swarms over distinct objects at particular times of the day (species dependant)

Females lay 1 000-2 000 eggs

Study approach and results
Sediment samples were taken in both muddy and sandy sites, and these were analysed in terms of the number of larvae per square metre (m2) and the dominant midge type or species.
Sandy sites were dominated by midge larvae of the genus Cladotanytarsus, which are small (2-3 mm) mainly tube-dwelling larva, whilst muddy sites were dominated by midge larvae of the genus Chironomus, which are large (>20 mm) red in colour and adapted to low oxygen conditions.
Very low populations of midges were found in muddy sites ( As water quality in the vlei improves, it is likely that the extent of sandy areas will also increase. Sandy areas are desirable from both a recreational and an ecological perspective, as they represent a decrease in areas of thick, anoxic, foul-smelling muds.)
Although undoubtedly a nuisance to local residents, the midge populations at Zeekoevlei are not approaching ‘plague densities’, which are regarded as 50 000 individuals per m2. Further, literature suggests that the peak populations that occur in spring in the Zeekoevlei area are a natural phenomenon even in unimpacted wetlands.
Management options
It is clear that whilst natural predation of the insects by, for example, fish and birds will help control the populations of midges, they will still be prevalent in the area, especially during spring and summer, given their life-cycles and the type of wetland areas they inhabit.
Behavioural control, that is our adaption of behaviour in response to the ‘miggie issue’, is the most effective way of minimising the midges’ nuisance impact on our lives.

What can you do to minimise the impact of ‘miggies’ on your life?
The following are some proposed measures that could reduce the impact the midges have on you, the resident living in proximity to Zeekoevlei:

• Manage property lighting, by avoiding the use of white light;
• If possible, avoid hanging your laundry up to dry on calm sunny days in spring/ summer whilst the midge populations are at their greatest;
• Close doors and windows at night during peak periods of midge activity;
• Install insect screens on doors and windows;
• Try to avoid painting buildings/ structures white.

It is important to remember that living close to a wetland such as Zeekoevlei, will result in sharing your space with the natural creatures that survive in such ecosystems. These can both be beautiful, such as the majestic birds, or annoying, such as the midges. Both however are part of an integrated ecosystem, and fundamental to it.
The advantages of living close to such an amazing natural resource as Zeekoevlei need to be considered in offset against some of the ‘natural nuisances’ that can be experienced.
For more information contact Asieff Khan or Joshua Gericke at the False Bay Ecology Park on telephone 021 396 4281.

September 2011

VB ACTION UP DATE (3) 26 September 2011

‘This is the first time I’ve been able to walk from Otters Creek to Peninsular Road in years’ exclaimed one happy resident, as she set off along ‘Vlei Walk’ from ‘Victoria Junction’, via ‘Fisherman’s Rest’! Today we’ve opened the path from ‘Fisherman’s Rest’ to ‘Vlei View’ and started attacking the two offending palm trees. If any one has any sharp axes please contact – a strong wielder would be even more welcome.

I asked for the loan of gardeners from local residents  – all I’ve found so far is two local gardeners digging up Arum Lilly plants on instruction from their employers so they can plant them in their gardens!!  Come on people –we really have to work together on this – that is both illegal and antisocial!

We’ve just celebrated Heritage week – VB is part of our heritage-  it belongs to all of us!

Come help! If you can’t help just pray for a little more rain to help the 360 new plants!

Hi All – this post is slightly out of date, due to my other commitments, Please check it out and get involved.

VB ACTION UP DATE (2) 20 September 2011 - Today we opened up the pathway from ‘Victoria Station’ to ‘Fishermen’s Rest’!
So please take a stroll and enjoy!
There’s a couple of palms that need removing – we need some help – there is strength in numbers!!
Oh and by the way today we also planted 240 plants and 240 gladiolus plugs!

Please contact John on 0827333500

Van Bloemestein Park
Zeekoevlei

THE VB ACTION TEAM!

VB ACTION UP DATE (1) One of Zeekoevlei’s great natural treasures needs your support. Join an ever-growing team of VB activists committed to restoration, rehabilitation and the creation of a stunning environmental show piece for Zeekoevlei to be enjoyed by all!

Our 5 point strategic plan will ensure that this corner of God’s creation may be passed on to our children’s children!

1. The Aliens continue to invade. A systematic removal of Port Jackson, Carmelina and Morning Glory , A gradual thinning of the remaining blue gums. ACTION Josh and contractor (Blue gums) Clean up days. Volunteers and local gardeners assistance.

2. The dead, the dying and the improperly placed. Removal of brush, dead vegetation and of course all the diverse varieties of litter that is to be found. ACTION Entire team to remove and to place in neat piles by the roadside. Any volunteers with bakies or trailers would be welcome.

3. Go forth and multiply! The area we planted 5 years ago is a joy to behold! We will continue to plant in well chosen areas in order to develop the sustainable fynbos. ACTION Neil Major will oversee the planting programme and provide the supply of plants remaining from the Rondevlei allocation.

4. The way in, the way out and everything in between! Pathways will be cut and maintained with new creative signage. Josh will provide a map and 2 new paths will be agreed. 1 metre paths will be designated with logs lying either side. ACTION John and Josh, team and Hilton.

5. Sit and watch the sun go down. Two further benches will be purchased. Benefactors or ‘in memoriam’ will be welcomed. Existing benches restored. ACTION Rondevlei workshop

Please circulate this email to local residents and add you names to the VB Action Team list and add your services and contribution to the ACTION section under each of the 5 headings. Please click on ‘Reply all’. The Team will meet for a Heritage Day clean up on Saturday24th at 2pm after the Climate Change March in town!
Are you able to donate your gardener for a day or half a day every now and then to assist in this programme? Can someone get all this on the web site? Please phone, sms or email further ideas and responses to

Neil Major on 076 4763 7095 neilmajor@telkomsa.net
Or
John Oliver on 082 733 3500 revjohn@iafrica.com

Play the game below and see how you do. Chance are you’ll end up at the RoadKill cafe!

Please don’t speed on Peninsula – and please tell your friends!

BEFORE

Due to the False Bay Ecology Park funding crises, volunteers are urgently needed to join the team to protect and uplift Van Blomenstein Park.

Please note, this will not detract from the current work some community members and FOZR are doing to get the city to make budget available, it shows our willingness to support the council and co-operate, giving them even less reason to abuse us.

In light of of the severe lack of resources available to him, Josh Gericke, Manager of Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve, is asking the community to help him maintain and uplift our beautiful park. John Oliver has offered to head up a team who will work under the direction of Josh, with the support and sponsorship of the Friends of Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei (FOZR), on a long-term plan to uplift the park. Volunteers should contact John Oliver on 021 7055502 or email to: revjohn@iafrica.com as soon as possible.

This is our park, take a look at the work we have already done in changing this “ASSET” from an alien infested dead space into a stunning indigenous jewel. Please note that the before and after shots are the same area.

This is another initiative supported and sponsored by The Friends of Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei. To support your community Join FOZR today – every membership counts!

AFTER

Bottom Road is a toilet

Representatives of the Zeekoevlei Civic Association, the Friends of Rondevlei and Zeekoevlei and Bottom Road Sanctuary met with Nature Conservation and City officials yesterday, 7 September 2011. Our local councillor, Shaun August, was instrumental in setting up the meeting. As this was our first meeting with our new councillor, we took the opportunity to find out a little about him. He was a Pollsmoor prison warden for 10 years, with special responsibility for dangerous prisoners. He has been in council for three-and-a-half years, first as an ID councillor and now on the DA ticket after the amalgamation of the ID and DA. He is Deputy Chair of the Safety and Security portfolio and is touted to become the next Chair of the Drug Unit.

In attendance at the meeting was Ozzie Asmal, Director of the City’s Environmental Resource Management Department as well as Councillor Dalton from the Zandvlei ward. Like our reserves, Zandvlei has been hit by budget cuts and their pondweed has not been cleared because the weed eater was not functioning. In order to have their opening sail this year, the Zandvlei Yacht Club had to first clear a passage for the boats through the water weed.

At the meeting, the following issues were raised:

• The shortage of budget, staff and resources such as vehicles and tipper trucks.
• How to deal with the litter flowing into Zeekoevlei and Zandvlei from the catchment upstream.
• Water quality
• Provision for additional budget and staff to cope with the population pressures of the new Pelican Park development.

Apparently, the reserves were supplementing their annual budget with funds from the Environmental Resource Management Department’s Head Office budget. Part of the reason that much work was done over the last years was that there were funds from Denmark, which allowed for ERMD budgets to be used for a wider spectrum of issues, including work at nature reserves. These funds have since ceased and this has impacted the a number of areas, including the Skills Development Programme, which was a great success. However, we have learned that the ERMD Head Office funding has now been allocated to Baboon Management which is already a Departmental commitment. There are also several other commitments that need to be honoured. Why some R10 milllion is being spent to protect a species that is not endangered is a question that was not answered at the meeting. This may well be an issue to raise in the media. We may need to tackle this as a separate issue in the future.

However, the meeting was conducted in a spirit of co-operation and mutual respect and concrete actions have been agreed upon. Our local councillor is going to raise the issue at subcouncil level and keep it in the forefront of their agenda. The Environmental Resource Management Department is going to explore co-operation with the Solid Waste, Roads and Stormwater and Catchment Management Departments of the City to help with the litter and water quality issues that affect Zeekoevlei, through upstream pollution. Interim measures are being planned to shore up the shortfall in budget for this financial year.

It is anticipated (and subject to funding) that by 1 January 2012, the False Bay Nature Reserve will have a six-member Skills Development team. This is half of the number we had, but six is better than nothing. Furthermore, we were given an undertaking that attempts will be made to make allowance in the budget for annual occurrences like the reed removal in Zeekoevlei and the water weed removal in Zandvlei.
Civic associations will be liasing with the City Manager to ensure that the fence between the Pelikan Park development and the Reserve is built and budget allocated for maintenance of the fence.

We are confident that our concerns have been brought to the attention of the relevant role-players and we will continue to monitor the situation and intervene where warranted.

LA

The city has responded to this blog and suggested the corrections/changes hi-lighted in red above – its nice to see their interest – Richard

Sadieka Hatogh arriving at work

Leaving school at an early age she worked as a cashier at a local Seven Eleven until she was married. After being a dedicated house wife for ten years she decided to apply for a position with the Skills Development Programme. After a screening process in 2009 her application was successful and she began working at Rondevlei Nature Reserve. Working among the students and permanent staff she became recognised as the shy and polite lady with the permanent smile. During this time she attended a chainsaw and brush cutter competency course along with a basic wild fire suppression course and excelled at both.

After a year she was then redeployed at Pelican Park Nature Reserve where she again brought her cheerful presence along with a new ‘never say die’ attitude. During this time she received a certificate for First aid level 1 and level 3. In October 2010 she had the opportunity to attended the ‘Unarmed field ranger training’ at the Southern African Wildlife College in Kruger National Park. Here she underwent rigorous physical and mental military grade training. Here she quickly stood out among her fellow classmates and as no surprised returned home a month later with a certificate for the ‘Most improved field ranger’. She later went on and acquired her C1 learners licence through the programme and is currently pursuing her drivers licence.

At the end of June 2011 the Skills Development Programme ended.
Fortunately Sadieka stayed on a contract basis and assisted with administration duties at the False Bay Ecology Park Headquarters situated at Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve.

In mid-July a permanent field ranger post was advertised for the False Bay Ecology Park. Eight candidates from the previous Skills Development Programmes were interviewed, among them Sadieka. After all the paperwork and red tape was covered by Human Resources Sadieka again stood out among the rest.

Sadieka is now the latest addition to the False Bay team. She is appointed as a field ranger for the entire False Bay Ecology Park and is sure to brighten things up with her cheerful personality and permanent smile.

Credits:
Mogamat Samsodien (Community Conservation Officer)
Pelican Park Nature Reserve
False Bay Ecology Park
Regards, Asieff

Please keep your eyes peeled for these and other creatures on our roads and drive slowly. If you spot a toad (the bigger ones look like stones in the road), please try and move them safely across the road (in the direction in which they are headed).

Thanks Helen

also from Ron see below
Rainey Rainey nights
Road kills again, last night the score from Victoria Rd, to Richard’s house was
2 grass snakes
2 arum lily frogs &
5 toads.

Come on Nature reserve Residents, it is a 500metre stretch of road you do once in the dark, please drive slowly and keep a lookout, I am sure I am preaching to the converted, so please spread the word to your friends and neighbors

Thanks Ron

The Department of Environmental Affairs: National Resource Management Program (DEA: NRMP) has given R1,462,002.00 to fund the pilot project for one year. This will enable us to employ a team of 30 unemployed and unskilled people to start clearing water hyacinth from S3. If at the end of the one year period there is no more hyacinth left at Strandfontein, the project can move on to another water hyacinth infected site and continue the pilot project there.

The purpose of this pilot is to evaluate whether there is an international market for the type of furniture that will be made. As water hyacinth is a plant we are already trying to eradicate it is the perfect candidate for the project. It will be used in a completely unsustainable way so once it has all gone, and if the project is a success, we will then be able to look to another resource that can be used in a sustainable way.

The team of 30 people will be run as a Skills Development Team. This is a project whereby unskilled people are employed from the local community and given work, as well as training in certain skills: Nature conservation awareness, alien clearing, chainsaw and brush cutter competency, basic fire fighting, learners licence for code 10 and motor bike (possibly drivers licences if time permits), first aid level 1 and level 3, snake handling, water safety and processing the water hyacinth to remove the fibre for the rope. This type of skills-development oriented project has already been successfully run until recently in other contexts across the FBEP.

The duration of the project is aimed to be about one year. This means that at the end of the one year period the project will have taken 30 unemployed, unskilled people and given them a chance to better their circumstances by giving them the skills to find meaningful employment.

By Victoria Elizabeth Day

Reserve Manager

Strandfontein Birding Area

False Bay Ecology Park