Friends of Rietvlei
Newsletter November 2003
EVENING TALK
Our final evening meeting of this year will take place on the 20th November, and our opening ceremony for the Education Centre will happen on the 27th November. Due to unforeseen circumstances, it was not possible to have both on the same evening, so they are now a week apart. Viewers of the TV programme 50/50 will be aware of the Honey Badger and Beekeeper controversy in the Western Cape. At our meeting on the 20th we will learn more about the work done to save the Honey Badgers and produce Badger-friendly honey. On Saturday 22nd November, we will have a stand with displays at Pick n Pay Mall in Table View, but we need volunteers to man this stand. We will have two hours shifts starting at 9a.m, and we ask you to please give us your contact details at the meeting on the 20th if you are prepared to assist, or else phone Pat on 557-3748 (after hours). We will hear more about this stand at the meeting.
Date: Thursday 20th November 2003
Time: 7.30 for 8p.m.
Venue: Milnerton Aquatic Clubhouse, off Pentz Drive, Table View
Speaker: Joan Isham from the Honey Badger and Beekeeper Programme
 
INVITATION TO ALL MEMBERS
We have great pleasure in inviting our members to the opening of our Rietvlei Education Centre.
Date: Thursday 27th November 2003
Time: 6.00 for 6.30p.m.
Venue: Rietvlei Education Centre, left of the Aquatic Clubhouse (adjacent to the ablution block)
off Pentz Drive, Table View
R.S.V.P. This is essential to plan our catering. Drinks and snacks will be served and we must
know how many to cater for. Please call Pauline on 557-6920 (H) or 464-4748(W)
The completion of our Rietvlei Education Centre achieves of one of our major goals and we invite you to celebrate with us, and our sponsors. Please, however, do remember to let us know how many to cater for by the 24th November.
 
SPECIAL THANKS
Two very special thank you's. One to Radiant Lighting, who donated the Light Fittings for our new centre, and another to Molly Butler, a member, who donated six lovely bird posters with accompanying books.
 
FROM THE HIDE
With the late rains, birdwatching is very rewarding at the moment. There are still large numbers of Flamingos and Pelicans and the migrant waders are getting closer to the hide. The last waterbird count produced 3,375 birds on the central pans including 1,587 Redknobbed Coot! Curlew Sandpipers numbered 250, Avocet totalled 68 and Blackwinged Stilt numbers were 204.
 
NEW MEMBERS
We welcome the following new members:
Gail MacDonald and family of Table View, First Milnerton Sea Cubs, Mr. & Mrs. Wilson of Howard Place, Harry and Jean Wiggett of Table View and Gabrielle Mattle of Dolphin Beach.
 
CAPE BIRD CLUB OUTING TO RIETVLEI
The Cape Bird Club has planned a visit to Rietvlei on Tuesday 18th November and any Friends of Rietvlei members will be welcome to attend. We meet at the Aquatic Club gates at 9.30a.m. and will then walk to the bird hide.
 

As this is our last newsletter for 2003, we take this opportunity to wish all our members a safe and peaceful Festive Season. We hope you will continue to support Rietvlei for many years to come.
This newsletter comes to you with the kind assistance of Caltex.
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