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    Zandvlei: Upper Estuary (34061828)

    Western Cape
    Card 509369
    Compiler 10691
    Location code 34061828Zandvlei: Upper Estuary (Western Cape)
    Start date 2022-01-22
    Season SSummer
    Start time 08:15
    End time 09:50
    Shoreline covered 90
    Openwater covered 95
    Total Species 27
    Total Count 729
    Wetland Condition 2Partially full (mid tide for estuaries)
    Wetland Threats
    Count Condition 4Good
    Count Type 5Mixed
    Nil Count (No birds present) 0There were CWAC species present
    Notes "Thank you to Darren Hare who counted the Maina northern canals and the night heron roost by canoe today. The weather was forecast to rain and turn cold during the count this morning. A fresh wind was blowing from the north when we started and sqawls of rain showers moved across the vlei. We did not get too wet. There were 3 Spotted Thick knees in the grass outside the main gate area and a pair of Pied Crows dive bombing anyone standing about. They must have a nest nearby. The Flamingos arrived at zandvlei this week. During the count there was excitement that a Bronze Manakin was present, which would have been another first record for the Reserve. On closer inspection of Sue Gie's photos at home, it turned out to be a juvenile Pintail Whydah. Something evident based on previous years is the lack of spawning carp. We used to hear what sounded like ""crocodiles splashing about"" in the upper regions of the vlei in October, the spawning month. The carp are not present in the Rutter Road Pond as the salinity has pushed back up the rivers." It was hot today! in the mid 30's and thank goodness for the SE breeze which came up at about 09H00. The Sandvlei waterbody is still closed for boating and recreational use, so thank you to the staff who went out in canoes to count the upper and lower Marina canals today. There are areas along the north west shore which look like conditions when the annual avian botulism is evident. The thread weed is pink and orange at the edge of the shallow water, wich indicates a lack of oxygen. There is a new sign board at the Reserve Main gate indicating this is the northern section of the Sandvlei Nature Reserve. While waiting for the volunteers to arrive this morning a Red-capped Lark was seen along side of the Sand River Canal. This species has not been seen for some years in the usual area, where African Pipits are also seen from time to time . The Northern Marina canals includiong the night heron roost were counted today by the Reserve staff
    Survey notes


    Add additional observers
    Observer NumberNameOptions
    0C Melidonis
     
    0David and Joan Walker
     
    0Felicity Ellmore
     
    0G Ainsley
     
    0Gigi Laidler
     
    0Heather Davies
     
    0Kyran Wright
     
    0Linda Hibbin
     

    Current data
    Ref #SpeciesCountBreeding
    Pairs    		Breeding
    indicator
    4Grebe, Great Crested
    (Podiceps cristatus)    		110
    6Grebe, Little
    (Tachybaptus ruficollis)    		10
    47Cormorant, White-breasted
    (Phalacrocorax lucidus)    		60
    50Cormorant, Reed
    (Microcarbo africanus)    		520
    52Darter, African
    (Anhinga rufa)    		120
    54Heron, Grey
    (Ardea cinerea)    		30
    57Heron, Purple
    (Ardea purpurea)    		10
    59Egret, Little
    (Egretta garzetta)    		110
    69Heron, Black-crowned Night
    (Nycticorax nycticorax)    		60
    81Ibis, African Sacred
    (Threskiornis aethiopicus)    		10
    89Goose, Egyptian
    (Alopochen aegyptiaca)    		760
    96Duck, Yellow-billed
    (Anas undulata)    		200
    98Teal, Cape
    (Anas capensis)    		10
    210Moorhen, Common
    (Gallinula chloropus)    		120
    212Coot, Red-knobbed
    (Fulica cristata)    		3570
    245Lapwing, Blacksmith
    (Vanellus armatus)    		200
    270Stilt, Black-winged
    (Himantopus himantopus)    		20
    274Thick-knee, Water
    (Burhinus vermiculatus)    		20
    287Gull, Kelp
    (Larus dominicanus)    		80
    289Gull, Hartlaub's
    (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)    		600
    290Tern, Caspian
    (Hydroprogne caspia)    		110
    291Tern, Common
    (Sterna hirundo)    		130
    296Tern, Sandwich
    (Thalasseus sandvicensis)    		10
    394Kingfisher, Pied
    (Ceryle rudis)    		130
    397Kingfisher, Malachite
    (Corythornis cristatus)    		40
    686Wagtail, Cape
    (Motacilla capensis)    		40
    1016, Mallard
    (Anas platyrhynchos)    		210


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

    Saturday 27 April 2024 11:51
    FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
    Department of Biological Sciences - University of Cape Town

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