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    Zandvlei: Upper Estuary (34061828)

    Western Cape
    Card 503972
    Compiler 10691
    Location code 34061828Zandvlei: Upper Estuary (Western Cape)
    Start date 2014-04-19
    Season OOther
    Start time 08:10
    End time 09:55
    Shoreline covered 95
    Openwater covered 95
    Total Species 30
    Total Count 2027
    Wetland Condition 1Full (High tide for estuaries)
    Wetland Threats
    Count Condition 4Good
    Count Type 5Mixed
    Nil Count (No birds present) 0There were CWAC species present
    Notes The weather was sunny, with very high cloud, SE breeze blowing. The 2 Oceans Marathon was taking place along the Main Road. We noted no water movement under the railway bridge, as the mouth of the vlei is closed. Seen on the western shoreline (photo supplied - where the fisherman was standing) were small patches of kariba weed, water lettuce and parrots feather which must have been washed in from the Westlake River and reed bed channels. The weed looked alive and healthy which suggested the water was fresh at this reach of the main waterbody. The water level in the vlei was high. The pathways along the western shore are flooded, more than ankle deep, which is unusually high for this time of the year. This is normally mid winter conditions. It was pleasing to see the number of White backed Ducks have returned. Also the 4 Little Grebe chicks following the parents around in the scout bay. An observation - there were very few birds observed flying about the main waterbody and the wetland areas. The Night Heron roost area was not counted today.
    Survey notes


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    Observer NumberNameOptions

    Current data
    Ref #SpeciesCountBreeding
    Pairs    		Breeding
    indicator
    4Grebe, Great Crested
    (Podiceps cristatus)    		110
    6Grebe, Little
    (Tachybaptus ruficollis)    		300
    47Cormorant, White-breasted
    (Phalacrocorax lucidus)    		50
    48Cormorant, Cape
    (Phalacrocorax capensis)    		30
    50Cormorant, Reed
    (Microcarbo africanus)    		130
    52Darter, African
    (Anhinga rufa)    		140
    54Heron, Grey
    (Ardea cinerea)    		10
    57Heron, Purple
    (Ardea purpurea)    		20
    59Egret, Little
    (Egretta garzetta)    		40
    61Egret, Western Cattle
    (Bubulcus ibis)    		10
    81Ibis, African Sacred
    (Threskiornis aethiopicus)    		10
    88Goose, Spur-winged
    (Plectropterus gambensis)    		220
    89Goose, Egyptian
    (Alopochen aegyptiaca)    		90
    94Shoveler, Cape
    (Spatula smithii)    		40
    96Duck, Yellow-billed
    (Anas undulata)    		90
    98Teal, Cape
    (Anas capensis)    		40
    104Duck, White-backed
    (Thalassornis leuconotus)    		600
    208Swamphen, African
    (Porphyrio madagascariensis)    		10
    210Moorhen, Common
    (Gallinula chloropus)    		100
    212Coot, Red-knobbed
    (Fulica cristata)    		17720Possibly Breeding
    245Lapwing, Blacksmith
    (Vanellus armatus)    		20
    287Gull, Kelp
    (Larus dominicanus)    		90
    289Gull, Hartlaub's
    (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)    		100
    290Tern, Caspian
    (Hydroprogne caspia)    		20
    394Kingfisher, Pied
    (Ceryle rudis)    		50
    397Kingfisher, Malachite
    (Corythornis cristatus)    		50Confirmed Breeding
    686Wagtail, Cape
    (Motacilla capensis)    		20
    10006Duck, Domestic
    (Anas platyrhynchos)    		30
    10014Duck, Unidentified
    (N/A N/A)    		80
    10015, Hybrid Mallard
    (Anas hybrid)    		50


    FITZ logo Ramsar Wetlands International http://www.sanbi.org/

    Saturday 27 April 2024 10:51
    FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
    Department of Biological Sciences - University of Cape Town

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