Monthly Archives: February 2014

Summer in Impendle

Plant enthusiasts and amateur botanists seem able to find floral treasures wherever they wander. Sharp eyes spot interesting things along roadsides, on working farms and in residential areas – often in unexpected places. The Impendle area is rich in special flora – a collection of summer flower photos gathered recently follows.

Kniphofia laxiflora are particularly spectacular this season,

there seem to be more Kniphofia buchananii than usual too.

The altitude in Impendle is much higher than the surrounding midlands, so it comes as no surprise to find Ericas amongst the rocks.

Many flowers attended by beetles, bees and butterflies, including this Xysmalobium (possibly parviflorum?)

The large flowered Pachycarpus grandiflorum in abundance.

With the ground saturated, the vleis were a picture with Satyrium hallackii en masse –

quite the most gorgeous colour.

Manulea florifera

Pycnostachys reticulata

along stream beds, the grey leaved Senecio macrospermus was evident

and clumps of Alipidea – either woodii or amatymbica which is listed as Vulnerable in the Red Data List.

A nest cleverly woven between stalks of Chlorophytum krookianum

Plenty of orchids at this time of year – including the tall Pterygodium magnum

Habenaria dives

and this Satyrium – possibly neglectum?

Schizochilus flexuosus

On the road verge – Ink plant – Harveya speciosa

Wahlenbergia

Dainty Morea brevistyla and

bright blue Morea inclinata – the nodding wild Morea

Crassula alba (or is it C. vaginata?)

and a small Crassula clinging to the rocks – Crassula pellucida?

Cheerful Berkheya, with attendant insects

Eucomis autumnalis

Plenty of Watsonia densiflora in full bloom

and the indigenous bramble – Rubus ludwigii

Agapanthus campanulatus have also flowered profusely this summer

Interesting small compact, grey leaved shrub – Helichrysum spiralepsis

Hibiscus trionum

Dainty Polygala hottentotta

This little unidentified blue flowered plant – any ideas?

Where have you been exploring lately? Why not head up towards Impendle? Take the Dargle Road and amble all the way through to Boston.

Leap Frog

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The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is holding its second National Awareness Day for threatened amphibians on the 28th of February 2014 – a date now designated as Leap Day for Frogs! The day will comprise a number of events, activities and opportunities for learners, homeowners and employees to take a leap of action to save our frogs.

There are 160 frog species in South Africa, of which 30% are threatened due to habitat destruction, increasing levels of pollution in freshwater systems, disease and changes in climate.

“What many South Africans don’t know is that frogs play a key role in our indigenous ecosystems because they act as both a predator of insects, some of which are disease-spreading, as well as being prey for a host of other species. Their habitats are sources of freshwater and also assist in water filtration and flood reduction,” said Dr. Jeanne Tarrant, Manager of the EWT’s Threatened Amphibian Programme (EWT-TAP).

“Frogs are also important bio-indicators due to their sensitive skins and because they inhabit both aquatic and terrestrial environments. In other words, if they are around, it means our environment is healthy. The fact that one third of our frogs could potentially disappear is a warning sign that our natural environs are in jeopardy and that urgent conservation action is crucial.”

The good news is that unlike a number of other endangered species, which require global support and intervention, the protection and conservation of frogs is something in which ordinary South Africans can play a meaningful and impactful role.

Said Tarrant, “The conservation of frogs is so closely related to existing environmental management and conservation policies and practices, that it’s really just a matter of paying more attention to them.”

The awareness campaign aims to put frogs on South Africa’s conservation map by providing information on what people, businesses and government can do towards reducing their negative impact on amphibian habitats, as well as how they can create environments that are conducive to the survival of frogs.

Various events will be held throughout the country focusing on threatened species including the Critically Endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frog from KwaZulu-Natal, the Critically Endangered Amathole Toad from the Eastern Cape and the Endangered Western Leopard Toad from the Western Cape. Jeanne will be involved in two events during the course of the day: she will be addressing local residents of Mtunzini on the afternoon of the 28th about their area being a hotspot for Pickersgill’s Reed Frog and how they can help. That evening she will be in her local town of Kloof for a family outing including kids activities, an illustrated presentation and a guided walk in Glenholme Nature Reserve. Activities focused on the Western Leopard Toad will take place in Noordhoek, Houtbay and Stanford. In the Eastern Cape, two events will be taking place to create awareness about the Amathole Toad – the local Hogsback school will take part in a wetland clean-up and a trail run on the Amathole Trail will take place on Saturday, 1 March.

More importantly though, individuals are asked to organise their own events at home, school or the office to bring attention to and celebrate these important creatures in general. The website dedicated to the day will have plenty of information on ideas, tips on how you can help and events in your area.

For further information about the EWT-TAP and Leap Day for Frogs visit www.leapdayforfrogs.org.za or contact Jeanne Tarrant on jeannet@ewt.org.za.

Contact: Jeanne Tarrant
Manager: Threatened Amphibian Programme
Endangered Wildlife Trust
Tel: +27 31 765 5471
Cell: +27 83 254 9563
jeannet@ewt.org.za

and

Nomonde Mxhalisa
Communications Manager
Endangered Wildlife Trust
Tel: +27 11 372 3600
nomondem@ewt.org.za

How many Oribi are left?

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This report was compiled by Dr Ian T. Little & Jiba F. Magwaza. Photos by Ian Little.

The Oribi (Ourebia ourebi) is a highly specialized antelope inhabiting African temperate grasslands. The Oribi is a small antelope with a similar size and appearance to a steenbok and a shoulder height nearly reaching 60cm. Males are differentiated from females by having horns (straight horns that curve slightly forward) and being slightly bigger than females.

In South Africa, their numbers are thought to have declined in recent years based on the reported rate of illegal hunting, and they now exist in only a few formally protected areas, with the bulk of their population occurring on privately-owned land. The Oribi is a useful flagship species for highlighting the value of and threats to grasslands. Only 2.4% of South Africa’s grasslands are formally conserved and over 60% have already been irreversibly transformed. The ever increasing threat from expanding mining operations throughout the biome is likely to increase the amount of irreversibly transformed habitat significantly in the near future. Grasslands are the water and food production centres of the country and also one of the key centres of urban development. It is crucial that we protect the remaining natural grasslands.

For this reason the Endangered Wildlife Trust and a number of partners have been working consistently over the years in order to sustain and manage existing populations and to curb and reduce the impacts of known threats to the species.

The 2013 Oribi Survey, which started in the beginning of September and ended in October marks the third year of consecutive annual surveys of this endangered species. It was good to see more people supporting the survey in 2013 and this increase in participation shows hope for Oribi and the mission going forward will be to encourage more effective conservation efforts through increased awareness and collaboration.

The Oribi Survey is one of the initiatives run by the Oribi Working Group to monitor this endangered antelope across South Africa. The Oribi Working Group, which consists of members from the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW), NCT Forestry Cooperative Limited, Wildlands Conservation Trust and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), is committed to the conservation of Oribi, whether on protected land or private land.

After sending out forms via emails, calling landowners and the publication of Oribi Survey articles in the media, a total of 219 replies were received and the results follow below.

A total of 2932 Oribi were counted in South Africa and the following numbers were counted in the various provinces:

1429 in KZN
1 in Gauteng
8 in Limpopo
337 in Mpumalanga
1155 in Eastern Cape
2 in Free State

From the 219 returns, 92 were from KwaZulu-Natal, 37 from Mpumalanga, 2 from Gauteng, 1 from the Free State, 1 from Limpopo and 83 from Eastern Cape (please note some returns are combined into regions or districts).

Threats

From the 2013 census returns, the common threats facing Oribi were shown to be snaring, organized dog hunting, stray dogs, illegal shooting, jackal and habitat loss.

If nothing is done about it, the numbers of this species will continue to decline. Habitat quality, habitat management and protection from poaching determine Oribi densities, which can range from one Oribi per 30ha to one per 8ha. An increase in reported illegal hunting with dogs over the past five years is of particular concern and it is important to note that while reporting rates of illegal hunting with dogs was high in 2000 to 2005 recent illegal hunting is in the form of large organized gambling syndicates which are considerably more destructive than the local sport or food hunting of the past. The exaggerated spike in reporting of this form of hunting is considered a real increase but may be enhanced as a result of the increased effort into addressing this issue. Either way it is significant concern for this species and many others.

Survey Issues

One common problem faced by participants in the survey is not being able to determine the gender of the Oribi and the fact that they hide makes it difficult to count them. For this reason we have not included the gender in the results of the survey. Oribi almost always occur in groups of 2-5 animals with one male per group.

An Increase?

The results of the 2013 survey show a considerable increase in Oribi numbers and a consistent population growth since 2007. This result needs to be considered carefully and is unlikely an indication of an actual population growth but rather a consistent improvement in survey effort and improved counting methods. It is also important to note that a number of protected areas within KZN have been included in this survey and were not included in previous years. The 2013 survey showed a total of nearly 3000 Oribi actually counted which suggests that the overall population could be considerably higher than previously thought.

Thank You

The Oribi Working Group would like to thank all the participants for taking part and for their time to complete and return the survey. It is because of these people that we are able to access information to save the Oribi as this information helps us understand more about the threats and location of the threats faced by the Oribi throughout South Africa.

A big thank you again to all who forwarded and spread the word of the 2013 Oribi survey, it is highly appreciated. We are optimistic that in 2014’s Oribi Survey we will reach more people with an increase in number of survey returns.

CREW Fieldtrip to Sitamani

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The seventh CREW fieldtrip for the 2013/2014 season was held at Sitamani in Boston. A beautiful patch of grassland which Christeen and Phillip Grant have looked after for the past 22 years – ensuring there have been no cattle grazing and trampling the plants. Christeen compiled this report which includes photos by Christeen, Peter Warren, Nkululeko Mdladla and Nikki Brighton.

What a stunning flower filled day with plenty of sunshine! 13 enthusiastic people accompanied by Tigger our 19 year old cat, visited our wild flower ‘garden’, Sitamani.

Jenny Myhill kindly gave Tigger a lift when the grass got very long!

Some lovely new finds including two orchids. Habenaria lithophila, final identification was due to the three lower petal lobes, which are long and very slender.

Disa patula, which at first glance looked like a stunted, late flowering Satyrium longicauda, had us puzzled.

Jocelyn Sutherland spotted the distinctive ‘pixie cap’ which led to deeper investigation.

The next ground orchid seen was Eulophia tenella, the buds just about to open.

Linum thunbergii, a shining, tiny yellow flower with round petals and reddish buds, was the third ‘new’ flower find.

The final new identification was a small tree, Rock Crowned-Medlar, Pachystigma macrocalyx.

According to the Pooley’s field guide, it is a small tree up to 4m, found in rocky outcrops in grassland. The leaves are quite thick and densely hairy.

In the rocks beneath it, growing quite profusely was a mystery flower. We do love a mystery flower! Please can anyone can help with an ID?

Although the other flowers had been seen before, they kept us mesmerized, and looking further in the grass and photographing everything we came across.

There was an abundance of Killickia pilosa, (old name Satureja reptans thanks to Peter Warren for the new name), sending a waft of fresh mint as we walked over them. We all sampled the delicious mint tasting leaves, laughingly calling them San sweets!

Amongst others these were the flowers / seedheads we found: Aloe boylei seedheads,

Berkheya rhapontica,

Crassula alba

which, despite it’s name, comes in yellow and red too!

and the dainty little Crassula brachypetala,

Epilobium capense,

the very spotty Gladiolus ecklonii

& Gladiolus sericeovillosus seedheads,

Helichrysum rugulosum,

Hermannia woodii, (we all adore the dainty bell flowers on this plant)

Hypericum lalandii,

Kniphofia laxiflora in both yellow and orange forms,

Leonotis intermedia,

Indigofera hedyantha,

the graceful Polygala hottetotta.

We scrambled up the rocks to photograph Printzia pyrifolia,

Rhynchosia adenodes, (used in traditional medicine to treat dysentery in calves)

Schizocarpus nervosa seeds (used to be called Scilla nervosa)

Schizoglossum bidens,

Sebaea sedoides,

Always interesting to find tiny invertebrates (often the pollinators) in the flowers – like this crab spider on the Sebaea sedoides

and this Gaudy Commodore butterfly (summer form) perched on the inflorescence of Kniphofia buchananii.

Striga bilabiata – a parasitic plant known as Small Witchweed

beautiful stands of Watsonia densiflora which have been particularly spectacular this year.

Zaluzianskya microsiphon (Short tubed Drumsticks)

and Zornia capensis.

The final list of plants recorded for the day was over 50. The Durban Bot Soc members who joined us were pleased they made the effort to explore some of the special Midlands mist-belt grassland.

Nkululeko Mdladla filmed the action, so watch out for the CREW movie coming soon!

Interested in joining the CREW (Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers)? – email info@midlandsconservancies.org.za Next outings 5 March to Blinkwater (contact Suvarna 082 354 5649 and 21 March to Mbona Estate in Karkloof. During Autumn, we will host a workshop on plant collecting and pressing in Fort Nottingham.

Dargle Wildlife Sightings – January 2014

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Brain and Marashene Lewis – Glen Gyle

A Greater Double-Collared Sunbird (male) at our feeder

Barend and Helen Booysen – Kilgobbin Cottage

This magnificent orchid was spotted in the grassland recently. There are 52 genera of orchid in South Africa – some of which grow in trees, but mostly they are found in grasslands. Pterygodium magnum is the largest terrestrial orchid in South Africa. Most of the 18 local species occur in the Western Cape, with four in KZN. It is usually found in damp grassland, often growing amongst Leucosidea sericea (ouhout). The narrow, lance shaped leaves (bracts) are borne along the stem, which can be up to 1,5m tall. The inflorescence is made up of densely packed greenish-yellow flowers with purplish-red veins and dots. Info source: http://www.dargleconservancy.org.za/wildflowerarchive/wfa022012.php

Also in flower – Brunsvigia natalensis. See more about this orchid at: http://www.dargleconservancy.org.za/wildflowerarchive/wfa01a2013.php

Below are also some of the first images captured on one of the Trail Cameras which the Dargle Conservancy purchased last year . The camera was placed in the forest. Most exciting was the Blue Duiker, with her baby.

(Philantomba monticola) is a small, forest-dwelling duiker found in Central Africa and southern South Africa. Blue duikers stand around 35 cm tall at the shoulder and weigh 4 kg. They are the smallest of the antelope family. The blue duiker has a brown coat with a slight blue tinge – hence the name – and a white underside. A glandular slit occurs beneath both eyes, with a very slight crest between the ears. Source: Wikipedia

Caracal (Caracal caracal) is a wild cat that is widely distributed across Africa, central Asia and southwest Asia into India. The word caracal is derived from the Turkish words kara kulak, which means “black ear”. Source: Wikipedia

Bushbuck is the most widespread antelope in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is found in rain forests, montane forests, forest-savanna mosaics and bush savanna forest and woodland. Source: Wikipedia

The Bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) is a member of the pig family and lives in forests, woodland, riverine vegetation and reedbeds in East and Southern Africa. Bushpigs can be very aggressive, especially when they have young. They are omnivorous and their diet could include roots, crops or carrion, as well as newborn lambs. Source: Wikipedia

Porcupines are rodents with a coat of sharp spines, or quills, that defend them from predators. They are indigenous to the Americas, Southern Asia, Europe, and Africa. Porcupines are the third largest of the rodents, behind the capybara and the beaver. It eats leaves, herbs, twigs and green plants like clover and in the winter it may eat bark. Source: Wikipedia

Justin Herd – Bee Tree Farm

We have released this snail at St Andrews Church on Tuesday 28th. There is a huge infestation of the “bad” non-indigenous snails (Helix apsera) in the Agapanthus next to church entrance. I have been breeding the indigenous carnivorous snail – Natalina cafra.

We had an infestation of the bad snails, on Beetree some years ago and the Natalina ate all of them and we have none left to feed the two youngsters that I have got left – so have pinched a few of the bad ones, from St Andrews. The snail we released is an adult and large (shell diameter 5cm) – it had just finished a meal of a Helix. It looks different from the bad snails so please warn gardeners that the snail will be roaming and gobbling up your bad ones!

Dieter Setz – Wakeford Farm

Found “this” in the grass. Looked quite disgusting. Never seen these bright orange creatures before. They look like ticks but I am sure they are not. Anybody out there who knows what these are? Ed’s note: A wonderful bright red, often seen on dead Songololos. Some sort of mite? Did you see how many legs they had?

These grasshoppers are reaching maturity towards the end of January.

Fiscal Shrike’s Larder

Frogs and other aquatics are having a ball. Common River frog and Guttural Toad

The powder puffs (Cyanotis speciosa) are in full bloom in 2 different colours.

Wyndham and Gilly Robartes – Wana Farm

We saw the most amazing thing: a Diedricks Cuckoo feeding its chick! It
was around for a couple of days, hopping around mostly on the rocks. I’m afraid
we couldn’t take any pics!

Nikki Brighton – Old Kilgobbin Farm

My sightings this month are all centred around the dam and forest where many hot summer hours have been spent. A Spurwinged Goose casually landed beside me while I was swimming in the dam and swallows constantly dive and dip into the water. The pair of Egyptian Geese (who get very grumpy having to share the dam with me) is back, as are a couple of dabchicks (I watched one bashing a small fish on the surface of the water for ages before swallowing it), African Black Ducks (I think) and cormorants. A Wagtail has built a nest in the raft and is raising chicks. She is quite brave, landing on the opposite corner of the raft even while my dog and I are sitting there!

I’ve seen a fish eagle a few times and a guest on Old Kilgobbin saw a Crested Eagle near the dam. There is evidence of water mongoose in the crab shells left on the on the banks where many beautifully coloured dragonflies flit amongst the Juncus and sedges.

Extra special moments have been the thousands of brown veined white butterflies fluttering by on their way East and the full moon rising above the forest on a gorgeous summer evening. There is a lot of misinformation floating around about the butterflies – read the real story here: https://midlandsconservanciesforum.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/white-butterfly-migration/

Hundreds of swallows swirl above the forest edge in the early evenings and mornings, and on 27 January I observed them gathering in numbers (at least 200) on the electricity lines. Winter is on it’s way. After the sun sets, the bats come out. I have heard Wood Owls and a Burchell’s Coucal, seen a pair of Brown hooded Kingfishers often and found a dead Buff Spotted Flufftail outside of my window.

Although the grasslands must be full of flowers, these are blooming in the shade of the forest now. Impatiens hochtettiii

Crocosmia aurea

Plectranthus

Monopsis stellaroides

Disperis fanniniae

Chlorophytum comosum

Robin and Tinks Fowler – Corrie Lynn Farm

This past month we have watched Cape Robins nest and raise three chicks in the ‘Tikkie Creeper’ on the side of our house, followed by a pair of Bulbuls producing two offspring in the Wisteria hanging from the eaves and then we are still watching a couple of Paradise Flycatchers feeding up another three chicks in a tree at the edge of the garden. The amazing thing to see is how these fast growing little birds manage to fit into some rather small nests, we would be busy adding on another room or two!

Our swallows have been busy building and now seem to be sitting. They’re too high up and close to the roof for us to see what’s going on inside. In the past, some of the chicks have literally fried to death under the corrugated iron, so we have constructed a “gazebo” on top of the tin to make it a bit cooler!

They seem to be a bit later than usual this year – perhaps they know something about the weather that we haven’t yet figured out?

Ashley Crookes – Copperleigh Farm

Found this spoor whilst setting up the Trail Camera, anyone know what it is as I ran out of time to try identify it…possibly Porcupine? Ed’s note: what about water mongoose? How big was it?

Blue Agapanthus (probably A. campanulatus) flowering in the hills.

Pat and Sandra Merrick – Albury Farm

Have had wonderful sightings for the month. For the 1st 2 weeks a giant kingfisher arrived almost daily alerting us to his presence with loud screeching noises. Pat saw him catch a frog and bash it to death on a tree branch. We found a heap of crab shells and scat on our wooden swing, which was his favourite perch.

While out in the field Pat heard a meowing noise and investigated to find a baby spotted genet about a month old. (eyes open) He surprised the baby blue crane and parents one day (youngster about 3 wks old) so they got in dam and swam to island.

14th Jan – the blue crane came to eat from the voermol block.

Shortly afterwards, they walked down hill to other side where there is an underground stream with sink holes along its course. Pat and I saw at once that there was a problem. The adults were peering in the long grass walking around not knowing what to do. We realized that the youngster had fallen down one of these sink holes. Pat in the meantime ran around the house trying to find his trout net. I told him to leave it and just get down there asap. He must have been making a noise because the Nguni herd were alerted and came running up the hill to see what all the fuss was about. The parents valiantly tried to ward them off with their wings running bravely forwards and backwards to try and keep the herd away.

Pat got to sinkhole and gently lifted out baby crane. I could not take photo as thought he had drowned but then Pat placed him on the ground and he took off like a bullet. Straight past his startled parents who then proceeded to chase him up the hill. They ran so fast I could not get a photo. What a relief that we happened to see this drama and save this precious baby.

15th Jan – thousands of brown veined white butterflies on their migration route from north west to south east through the garden all day.

17th Jan – Pat saw fish eagle at dam from 5.30am dive bombing the 3 yellowbill ducklings on the dam. He kept missing as they ducked under the water. At about 7am I saw him sitting on edge of dam checking out his options for a meal. The plovers were hovering and screeching at him.

Then he took off towards the ducks and landed on top of the ducklings splashing about frantically. (I lost him at this point) The parents were trying desperately to fend him off but with no luck. He flew off with a duckling clutched in his talons with mom looking on, distraught. He took his meal to the pine tree where I photographed him last month harassing the hadedas.

21st – gymnogene on dead tree – dogs chased him away.

25th – I was alerted to a hammerkop flying round the garden with loud noises. (I thought it was the giant kingfisher) He landed on the swing (favourite perch) and I got a lovely colourful picture of him and the yellow cannas and evening primrose flowers.

Have also seen a number of reed buck grazing down at the dam in the evenings. Pat found 2 reed buck carcasses today (31st) around the dam – looks like the jackal numbers are growing!

Dam sitings – 6 spoonbill, a pair of shell duck, saw the hammerkop running along edge of dam this morning. Plovers, yellow billed duck, cormorant, spurwing, Egyptian geese, one pair with a gosling. A pair of crested (crowned) crane every few days.

One night I nearly stood on a 1 metre long red lipped herald (snake) on our enclosed verandah. It was cold and drizzling (I thought snakes only looked for a meal during the day and when it was hot!!) He was obviously chasing after the frogs. Pat very kindly took him and placed him down the hill. I will admit that I am terrified of snakes.

Flowers have been wonderful. Sophubia cana

and Satyrium (possibly cristatum)

Summer Walk on Gartmore

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Peter Warren joins the regular Midlands walks often, delighting in the differences each season brings to our grasslands and forests. He reports on some of the flowers spotted during the February walk on Gartmore in Karkloof.

Water mint (Mentha aquatica). I have only ever seen this growing in the water, previously.

Leafy Flowered Ipomoea ( Ipomoea crassipes var. crassipes) is one of the indigenous morning glories. Sometimes the flower is mauve as well.

The next two are interesting because both are KZN endemics (as Gareth suggested) and concentrated in the Midlands. The first is Small White Poker (Kniphofia buchananii). I do not know what the bugs are but it would be very interesting to find out. (Ed’s note: Beetles are probably Fruit Chafers)

The second is Slender Poker (Kniphofia laxiflora). and not K. gracilis as I wrongly thought while on the walk. I have only seen these in the boulder fields around Yarrow Falls although it is not considered particularly rare. (Ed: learn more about K. laxiflora at http://www.dargleconservancy.org.za/wildflowerarchive/wfa032013.php)

The Hibiscus is what you correctly identified as Common Dwarf Wild Hibiscus (Hibiscus aethiopicus)

The grass parasite is always very pretty – Silvery Sopubia (Sopubia cana var. cana)

Fishbone Dwarf Cassia (Chamaecrista mimosoides) Very much indigenous but has a global widespread distribution.

The next is a puzzle to me because there appear to be only two Thunbergia creepers, Back Eyed Susan (T. alata) and White Thunbergia (T.pondoensis). It is not the former, so it must be the latter however it is not reported in this region. I have tracked the controversy back to 1906 and there does not appear to be any progress since then. Until it can be resolved I will stay with my tentative identification. (Ed’s Note: What about Thunbergia dregeana?)

There were lots more I did not photograph including the small yellow pea with the red stripes. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk.

Next walk to Yarrow Falls in Karkloof will take place on Wednesday 5 March. Contact Robyn to book 082 802 8949 www.karkloofconservation.org.za

Wetlands and Tourism

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This article first appeared in The Green Times.

World Wetlands Day celebrated in February marks the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in Ramsar, Iran. The aim of the convention is to protect the World’s highly sensitive and declining natural wetlands and to raise awareness of the importance and value of wetlands to people around the globe. The Convention has been signed by almost all national governments around-the-world, with South Africa becoming a signatory in December 1975. Bronner panorama WETLAND 4

The country currently has 21 designated wetlands of international importance across the country covering over 554 136 hectares in size and ranging from the Prince Edward Islands to St Lucia, Kosi Bay, Langebaan, Nylsvlei and the Natal Drakensberg Park.

“However, the country has numerous other less well-known local sites that tend to be overlooked or unappreciated and efforts need to be taken to raise the profile of all wetlands in an effort to protect this valuable element of South Africa’s biodiversity” says Greg McManus, managing director of the Heritage Environmental Management Company.

r umngeni vlei in winter 020

An economic driver

With the importance of tourism as an economic driver in South Africa – and the potential negative effects of tourism on these internationally recognised areas, the tourism sector is often best placed to assist in the development of these fragile environments.

SBS International and the Heritage Environmental Management Company have urged the industry to become more involved in efforts to protect and raise awareness of threats faced by wetlands and the important role wetlands play in biodiversity and the protection of species.

“The environment and our unique tourism offerings attract a growing number of tourists annually to the country, and with this comes a greater responsibility by the tourism sector to play an active role in protecting the country’s fragile wetlands. We can best do this by raising awareness of the sites with visitors and locals alike,” he adds.

A natural attraction to water

People are naturally attracted to water, to coastal wetlands such as coral reefs and beaches, and to inland wetlands such as lakes and rivers, reflecting the strong bond between people and nature as well as the unique aesthetic appeal of wetlands.

“Hotel and resort development and tourism activities in and around sites such as wetlands pose additional challenges to the sustainable and responsible use of wetlands, and increased impacts associated with human interaction, traverse patterns and activities associated with tourism need to be fully understood,” says Neal Dickinson, director of operations at Heritage.

As part of their efforts to raise awareness of tourism-based impacts, Heritage works closely with its certified members and others in the tourism and hospitality sector to ensure the highest possible awareness of issues such as wetland protection and has challenged the hotel and resort industry to get involved in the protection and sustainable use of their closest wetlands.

“While there are internationally recognised sites across the country, we need to be aware of the impacts being felt on wetlands closer to home,” adds Dickinson.

Other sensitive areas often overlooked

Often, local, less significant but equally sensitive areas are overlooked by local authorities, development agencies and even developers of tourism-based businesses, and Heritage is working closely with all interested parties to ensure higher awareness of the impacts that unplanned and poorly executed developments take place.

“Development of tourist facilities in sensitive areas takes place as a result of a lack of understanding of the role wetlands play in the biodiversity we have, and by raising issues related to the protection of wetlands, we hope developers and the tourism sector will play a more prominent role in their protection” says McManus.

This year’s theme: Wetlands and Agriculture

The theme for World Wetlands Day 2014 is “Wetlands and Agriculture: Partners for Growth” in recognition of the sensitive balance between preservation and agricultural development taking place globally.

The events this year will focus on the need for the wetland and agricultural sectors (and the water sector too of course) to work together for the best shared outcomes and follows the declaration of 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming by the United Nations.

Small-scale farming plays an important role in the hospitality and tourism sectors through the provision of local produce and agricultural products, and often these activities take place in marginal or ecologically sensitive areas around unlisted or local wetlands and ecologically sensitive areas.

The tourism sector can influence the role played by small-scale farmers in the protection of wetlands.

Dickinson calls on hoteliers, resort operators and others in the tourism sector to join Heritage in recognising World Wetlands Day on Sunday, 2 February by becoming involved in any number of initiatives associated with designated sites across the country.

Raising awareness of their closest site with visitors and guests and organising awareness visits and activities is being encouraged as part of this global event.

Clifton School Spots Wattled Cranes!

Boston Wildlife Sightings – January 2014

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Christeen Grant – Sitamani

Typical summer storms, with misty days between the sweltering heat. The resulting verdant green foliage studded with a multitude of flowers, butterflies and moths is a feast for the eyes! 2014 01 Butterfly 02 Belenois aurota

A Facebook page was created for the annual Brown-veined White, Belenois aurota, migration. Fascinating to see where major flight paths occurred throughout South Africa. For about a week the migration passed through Sitamani, on two days thousands of these butterflies flew over.

Three different varieties of Emperor moths, so dramatic amongst the smaller moths, Mopane,

Speckled Emperor

and Common or Cabbage Tree Emperor, settled near the backdoor.

An intriguing small brown moth of the Monkey moth sp., rested on the backdoor for two days, amazing that a bird didn’t gobble it up.

Every January I wait with anticipation for the magnificent Brunsvigia undulata plants to flower.

This year was no exception, but fewer plants actually flowered than last year. By the end of January several were already in their ‘tumble-weed’ dried out form.

Amongst other flowers seen were: several ground orchids including Eulophia ovalis,

Habanaeria dives,

Satyrium longicauda and Satyrium cristatum;

Crocosmia masonorum

Crocosmia paniculata,

Geranium schlechteri,

Heliophila rigiduscula,

Kniphofia buchananii,

Sopubia cana (one of my favourites),

Stachys aethiopica,

Vernonia natalensis,

many Watsonia densiflora

and the berries of Searsea discolor.

Red-collared Widowbirds, Common Waxbills, Dark-capped Bulbuls, Black-headed Orioles, Fork-tailed Drongos, Hadeda Ibises, Grey-headed Canaries, Cape Sparrows, Southern Black Tits, Amethyst Sunbirds, Lesser Striped Swallows, Red-chested Cuckoos, Cape White-eyes, Glossy and Red-winged Starlings, Black-shouldered Kites, Jackal Buzzards, Long-crested Eagles, Rock Kestrels, Steppe Buzzards and Grey Herons, Wailing Cisticolas, Spotted Eagle Owls hooting to each other in the early morning and evenings, are a some of the birds seen this month.

Several early morning encounters with Duiker and Reedbuck, and Black-backed Jackal calling close to the house at night.

Bruce and Bev Astrup – Highland Glen

Heard Spotted Eagle Owls hooting; Common Fiscal with brownish juvenile; Crested Barbet, on tree alongside the Elands river – at Christmas time, a pair were seen, but the flooding river covered the nest which was in a fallen tree, so any eggs were no doubt lost; Monitor lizard in front of house on banks of Elands river

Crystelle Wilson – Gramarye

It was very good to see Amur Falcons back in the district in January. These birds travel about 15 000 km every year from their breeding grounds in Mongolia, China, to South Africa for our summer here. The buzzards continue to confuse with the great colour variations in the plumage between adult and immature birds of both Jackal and Common (Steppe) Buzzards.

Forest Buzzards add to the mix, but they usually only occur in KZN during the winter months, according to raptor expert David Allan. At Gramarye and The Willows it was great to see the Grey Crowned Cranes with three chicks,

while I was surprised to see a Cape Weaver still working on a nest at the end of the month, quite late in the breeding season.

The list for the Elandshoek pentad 2935_3000 was: Grey Crowned Crane, Hadeda Ibis, Cape White-eye, Red-eyed Dove, Cape Turtle Dove, Fork-tailed Drongo, Diderick Cuckoo, Little Rush Warbler,

Egyptian Goose, Cape Sparrow, Southern Greyheaded Sparrow, Red-knobbed Coot, Bokmakierie, Common Moorhen, Black Saw-wing, Le Vaillant’s Cisticola, Fan-tailed Widowbird, Red-collared Widowbird, Greater Striped-Swallow, Cape Robin-Chat, Cape Crow, Southern Red Bishop, African Stonechat, Drakensberg Prinia,

Olive Thrush, Cattle Egret,

Yellow-billed Kite, Barn Swallow, Red-necked Spurfowl, Cape Wagtail, Dark-capped Yellow Warbler, Common Waxbill, African Paradise-Flycatcher, Common Fiscal, African Firefinch, Buff-spotted Flufftail, Dark-capped Bulbul, Amethyst Sunbird, Pin-tailed Whydah, Village Weaver, Black-headed Oriole, African Dusky Flycatcher, Burchell’s Coucal, White Stork, Black-headed Heron, Spur-winged Goose, Pied Kingfisher, Cape Weaver, Little Grebe,

Cape Longclaw, Hamerkop, Yellow-billed Duck, African Pipit, Zitting Cisticola, Helmeted Guineafowl, Spotted Eagle-Owl, African Rail, Cape Glossy Starling, Speckled Mousebird, Pied Starling, Pale-crowned Cisticola, White-throated Swallow, Amur Falcon, Brown-throated Martin, Wing-snapping Cisticola, Jackal Buzzard,

Blacksmith Lapwing, Banded Martin, Speckled Pigeon, Red-winged Starling, Sombre Greenbul, Blue Crane, Terrestrial Brownbul, Cape Grassbird, African Emerald Cuckoo, Malachite Sunbird,

Southern Boubou, Barratt’s Warbler, Bar-throated Apalis, African Hoopoe, Cape Batis, Yellow Bishop, African Sacred Ibis, Olive Woodpecker, Horus Swift, Red-chested Cuckoo, Red-billed Quelea, House Sparrow, African Harrier-Hawk, Steppe (Common) Buzzard, White-breasted Cormorant, Yellow-fronted Canary, African Fish-Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Reed Cormorant, Buff-streaked Chat, Yellow-throated Woodland-Warbler, Barn Owl, African Reed-Warbler, Red-chested Flufftail.