Friend Group News

Friends of Bracken Nature Reserve:

Perdekop is a nine hectare portion of Bracken Nature Reserve, usually locked to protect the biodiversity found there, including several endangered species of wild flowers. The Friends of Bracken wanted residents from the area to see and appreciate this jewel, and so held an “open day” for all to come and enjoy.

In order to attract attention, teams from schools were invited to participate in “Boeresport”, organised by the staff of Bracken Nature Reserve. There were refreshments on sale, prizes for the kids, a lucky draw with prizes from local sponsors, djembe drumming, an herbarium displaying some of the flowers, as well as walks into Perdekop. A calendar for 2009 depicting pictures of some of the flowers found here, was launched. Bracken now receives items for recycling. A display of items such as paper, plastic, metal and glass encouraged folk to do this. The children from the old Everite hostel surprised us with a well choreographed dance to music.

In all the day was perfect! The weather was excellent, opening the flowers, and the crowds seem to have fun. Thanks to each and every friend who helped make it a success! We are hoping to have more such opportunities, and would welcome new members to join and participate.

Contact Thea Weyers to purchase the “Bracken Calendar”,theaw@xsinet.co.za

BIRDLIFE SOUTH AFRICA OWL AWARDS 2008
CITATION: FRIENDS OF NYLSVLEY AND NYL FLOODPLAIN (FoN)
published:19-06-08

The Friends of Nylslvey and the Nyl Floodplain (FoN) have been in existence for nearly eighteen years, helping to protect this important RAMSAR site. Their vision is to conserve the unique biodiversity of Nylsvley Nature Reserve and the Nyl Floodplain, and their objective is to encourage the cooperation of all the stakeholders to promote the conservation and sustainable utilisation of the entire floodplain and its catchment.

For a number of years, until fairly recently, the reserve fell off the radar of the provincial authority, and without the efforts of the Friends, in particular the late Herman Van Dijk and the staff, the reserve would have not been in the fine condition that it is now.

Through their fund-raising and physical efforts, the Friends have enabled the construction of two hides, the Sasol Dragonfly walkway, the replacement Jacana walkway, the Bittern Bridge , the rehabilitation of the campsite long drop toilets and a number of windmills and water points by Herman Van Dijk, and the enviro loo at Vogelfontein. The Friends and reserve staff work together on such projects.

The Friends support the staff at Nylsvley by providing an annual Christmas party and providing them with assistance when required. Since 1996 they have run nearly 90 nature courses, covering such diverse topics as birds, trees, stars, butterflies, arachnids and snakes. Thus they have kept this gem of a reserve in the public eye.

An Annual Woodland Bush Birds Census has been organised by Friends of Nylsvley carried out by some 80 volunteers and members since January 2000.

In addition, FoN scans for proposed developments in the catchment area, and registers as interested and affected persons in order to help ensure that all future development in the catchment area adheres to the proper permission and assessment processes.

Their view is that the Nylsvley catchment has high importance as a conservation area, especially for birds because of its character as a RAMSAR site, and that the reserve itself should be used for education, tourism and research.

FoN should be considered for an Owl Award, because of their inestimable contribution to the welfare and viability of this important area, and their ongoing and unstinting efforts to preserve the habitats and the birds.

We wish you a healthy and comfortable 2008.

The water birds are just starting to appear. Seen between 27 and 29 December were several Red-knobbed Coots, 3 African Swamphen, and 3 African Jacanas, about 4 White-faced Duck, many Cattle Egrets, 3 Comb Ducks, and 2 Red-billed Teals at Vogelfontein. Beverley did identify or hear 81 other species of birds and 3 very young giraffe calves and one adult with Oxpecker's, but very few other large mammals.

The weekend at Mosdene looks as though it may have to be postponed. We've heard that the mossies are very powerful and should it rain before 18 January the roads will again become impassible, putting our proposed work party for the weekend 18-20 January in jeopardy. I would like to suggest the alternative date of 25-28 April. By then the rains will have lessened a bit, it will be cooler and the Great Lakes , as I call them, should be teeming with birds.

We thank Ryan Ebedes for allowing us to use his pic of the giraffe at dawn somehow, to me; it illustrates the situation we find ourselves in today: People like us who are already so concerned about 'the environment' will be encouraged by the greater awareness that does seem to be getting through to the ordinary man in the street. But, amateur environmentalists like us must also set a good example by our lifestyles. Even so far as to be driving the smallest suitable vehicle not the biggest glossiest! Working on the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle to ensure that our homes and offices/workplaces are energy efficient and that nothing gets wasted.

Someone has calculated that everyone needs ten trees to absorb the carbon dioxide we each produce in a life time; there's a new challenge for you!

May we reaffirm our allegiance to the staff and Nylsvley as they bravely go into the future and remind ourselves of our vision which is to conserve the unique biodiversity of Nylsvley Nature Reserve and the Nyl floodplain and of our mission which is to encourage the co-operation of all the stakeholders to promote the conservation and sustainability of the entire floodplain and its catchment. Happy 2008!