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RAIN AND MORE RAIN … |
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Spring has finally sprung
and the rain has continued to fall. This winter has been
more like winter used to be in Cape Town , with days and
days when the rain fell and it was impossible to get the
laundry dry, and the wettest part of winter would always
coincide with when you were trying to get hockey/rugby
clothes dry. The model aircraft club at Rietvlei has had a
river running through it and at one time was more like a
harbour that an airport. The daisies are flowering and the
birdlife continues to amaze. I spotted flamingos in the
Milnerton lagoon near the wooden bridge one Thursday evening
in August. |
Sad news is that another otter was killed by a car on Otto
du Plessis at the beginning of August. Maybe we should start
an effort to raise funds for a fence to channel the otters
to an underpass so that they don't have to cross this very
busy road.
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ADOPT-A-BEACH: CLEANUP |
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We are having a beach cleanup on
Saturday 17 September from 9am to 11 am to support
International Coastal Cleanup Week running from 12th to 17th
September 2005. Data collected during this program is used
to educate the public and develop solutions to solid waste
management practices. Through co-operative efforts among
government agencies, private industries, community and
environmental associations and local citizens, changes in
behaviour and practices result, which help to conserve and
protect the environment. The annual cleanup is how continued
success is measured. Data cards filled in on the 17 th will
be sent via Marine and Coastal Management to The Ocean
Conservancy in the USA . The plan is to meet at the Rietvlei
coastal section gate on the R27, just north of Sunset Beach
(but before Dolphin Beach ) at 9am, work on the cleanup
until 10.30am and then enjoy a picnic on the newly cleaned
beach. PLEASE BE THERE TO SUPPORT THIS GLOBAL INITIATIVE!!
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In addition to the Saturday cleanup Friends of Rietvlei is
sponsoring the bus transport for Marconi Beam School to send
40 children to do a beach cleanup on Monday 12th September.
The children will be going to Dolphin Beach and will be
guided by the Rietvlei conservation staff.
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OPEN DAY |
Our last Open Day was scheduled for Sunday 7 August. This
was abandoned as it was wet and the wind was icy. Our next
Open Day will be on Sunday 2 October , meeting at the
Education Centre at 2:30pm for tea or coffee and cake
(please bring a plate of something to share if you can),
followed by a walk at 3pm. Bring friends & family to our
education centre to read, chat and look - please come, all
are most welcome!!!! If you don't have your own binoculars,
the Education Centre has some for you to borrow. Tel 557
3748, Pat, for queries.
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CAPE FLATS NATURE PROJECT |
A recent evening talk consisted of a talk and a video
showing the work that is being done on the Cape Flats .
Following on from this, Julie from Cape Splendour Tours led
about 12 members on a tour of the nature reserves. We
started with Edith Stevens Wetland Park where Zwai Peter
treated us to a most informative guided tour and followed up
with a tour through Wolfgat Nature Reserve and the Macassar
Dunes and then through Khayelitsha and Gugulethu and on to
Lungi's restaurant for an authentic African lunch.
Altogether it was a most interesting and fascinating tour.
Thank you, Julie and thank you Zwai. Your passion for nature
is wonderful to experience.
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EVENING TALK |
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In August a talk was given by Ken Botes of Whale Mark on
Whales of Our Coast and their protection. He touched on the
hunting of whales that led to the dramatic decrease in the
number of these fascinating marine mammals, and the fact
that although most countries have banned whale hunting,
Japan continues to hunt them. |
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He passed samples of whale teeth and baleen around the
audience and told of his dream of the Whale Museum he is
establishing in the old synagogue in Parow. It was a most
interesting talk, made very relevant by the fact that the
Ken worked at a whaling station in Durban before South
Africa stopped the hunting of whales. |
Our next EVENING TALK is yet to be finalised. Watch this
space! We are possibly combining with Friends of the BCA for
a talk on the Battle of Blaauwberg.
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RESERVE NEWS |
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Burning of stacked dead brush material will take
place on suitable days until the end of September at
the bird hide block. |
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7
000 plants (specially grown up from cuttings taken
in the area) have been planted in the bird hide
block as part of the Working for Wetlands project. |
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The
July CWAC (Co-ordinated Waterbird Count) saw a good
number of birds on the Central Pan, including 120
Great White Pelican, 547 Greater Flamingo, 105
Egyptian Goose, 567 Redknobbed Coot, 584 Blackwinged
Stilt, 144 Hartlaubs Gull. |
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Table View Primary School has sent all of its Gr3
pupils to visit Rietvlei in September. These
enthusiastic learners have enjoyed our centre and
binoculars. |
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| This newsletter comes to you with the kind
assistance of Caltex. |
