ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING     <<Back
Date: Wednesday 22 December 2004
Time: 10:00
Where: Dutch Reformed Church Hall
Guest Speakers: • Wollie Alheit - Dept Agriculture
• Willie Auret - Ecoguard
• Rob Nothnagel - Seawatch / Marines
• Barend le Roux - Cape Nature Conservation
Introduction of Fynbos Garden of the Year Award!!!

DYER ISLAND — A WETLAND OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE     <<Back
A five-year study of the African Black Oystercatcher (Heamotopus mocquini) on Dyer Island has resulted in a recommendation that the island be registered as a Wetland of International Importance. The study demonstrates that it clearly supports more than 1% of the global population of the African Black Oystercatcher - the threshold used in the application of criteria of the Ramsar Convention. Not only is the Oystercatcher population on Dyer Island increasing, it is also breeding successfully. In the 2002/2003 breeding season 21 breeding pairs produced 18 fledglings, which is well above the average success rate. The high breeding success is attributed to the lack of introduced predators, such as cats.

"Dyer Island is one of the jewels in the crown of Cape Nature Conservation. Besides the Oystercatchers, there are many other rare, interesting and threatened bird species breeding and it merits a special conservation status. Dyer Island must be one of the most valuable pieces of ornithological real estate in South Africa", comments Professor Les Underhill, director of the Avian Demography Unit.

HELP CONSERVE THE AFRICAN BLACK OYSTERCATCHER!     <<Back
The African Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) is Southern Africa's second rarest coastal breeding bird. The species is globally rare, with a world population of approximately 5 000 birds, of which 75% are in South Africa. There are 13 species of Oystercatcher worldwide and 9 of these species occur in the Southern Hemisphere. The African Black Oystercatcher is the largest of all the species. The Oystercatchers' glossy black plumage, bright red eyes, beak and legs, and plaintive piping call make them a distinctive and very appealing species.

African Black Oystercatchers occur along the coast and off-shore islands from Namibia to the Eastern Cape. They are usually found on sandy or rocky shores, and less frequently on coastal vleis and lagoons.

Oystercatchers almost always occur in pairs or small groups. The breeding season is from September to March. They nest on exposed sand, rocks, next to dried kelp or amongst stones. Usually two eggs are laid, of a greenish or buff stone colour with dark spots, which provides an effective camouflage against predators.

The name Oystercatcher is misleading as they feed mainly on mussels, limpets, whelks, crustaceans and various worms, rarely if ever taking oysters!

You can help!
Oystercatchers are very sensitive to disturbance by beach-goers, fishermen, dogs and vehicles and are threatened by coastal developments which destroy their habitat. Avoid frightening these birds unnecessarily and prevent dogs and children from chasing them. Breeding adults are easily stressed and they may even desert their nests if they are disturbed too often. Disturbance may create an opportunity for kelp gulls to prey on eggs or chicks. Try not to step on the well-camouflaged nests, eggs and chicks. You can help the African Black Oystercatcher survive by simply being considerate towards this rare and endangered species.

For further information please contact Cape Nature Conservation: Cape Town - Tel 021 483 4615; Hermanus - Tel 028 314 0062.

OVERSTRAND HERWINNING     <<Back
Overstrand Herwinning is geleë te Seewaterslot 4 in die industriële gebied van Gansbaai. Hulle kontaknommers is: 028 384 0359 of 082 726 3262.
Enige van die volgende herwinbare weggooigoed is daar welkom:
KARTON - eierhouers, tandepasta en seeppoeierdosies;
PAPIER - koerante, tydskrifte, koeverte, kantoorpapier;
BLIK - bier, koeldrank, blikkieskos;
METALE - koper, geelkoper, aluminium, ou motorbatterye;
SAGTE PLASTIEK - 2 liter koeldrank en melkbottels, brood, rys, springmieliesakke;
GLAS - bottels, flessies, blatjang, tamatiesous, Marmite, ens. Deur afval te herwin, kan 'n betekenisvolle bydrae tot bewaring gemaak word.

PLAASLIKE KONTAKPERSOON VIR HERWINNING:
Annatjie Otto van Centralstraat 55, Pearly Beach (Tel 028 381 9940).