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    Zandvlei: Upper Estuary (34061828)

    Western Cape
    Card 510568
    Compiler 10691
    Location code 34061828Zandvlei: Upper Estuary (Western Cape)
    Start date 2024-01-20
    Season SSummer
    Start time 08:15
    End time 09:45
    Shoreline covered 90
    Openwater covered 95
    Total Species 15
    Total Count 187
    Wetland Condition 2Partially full (mid tide for estuaries)
    Wetland Threats 0
    Count Condition 4Good
    Count Type 1On foot
    Nil Count (No birds present) 0There were CWAC species present
    Notes The Main Reserve and Northern Marina canals were not counted today due tot non availability of counters and or Nature Reserve Staff.The main water body appeared to be at a full level, when we arrived at the estuary mouth it was open, This was unusual as it was between new and full moon. An assumption is that the Catchment Management and Reserve Manager had the mouth opened due to the dark smelly water entering the main waterbody from the Keysers River. We could see a zigzag current of smooth water from the railway canal across the upper man waterbody towards the scout Base when we arrived there. There was a alot of small fish activity in the shallow water at the edges in the upper areas of the waterbody. Surprising there were no birds feeding on the. In the photo with the canoe one can see the Telkom tower draped in black plastsic netting. This has caused a stir with some people in the community who have never seen the tower before. it is to prevent debris blowing around while maintenance is done on the tower structure. The weather was very hot and humid today. In the mid 30 degrees by 09h30 with no wind, not even a breeze. Before we started there was a Jackal Buzzard on the overhead railway lines near the railway bridge over the confluence of the Westlake and Keysers Rivers
    Survey notes


    Add additional observers
    Observer NumberNameOptions
    0Gigi Laidler
     
    0Linda Hibbin
     

    Current data
    Ref #SpeciesCountBreeding
    Pairs    		Breeding
    indicator
    50Cormorant, Reed
    (Microcarbo africanus)    		230
    52Darter, African
    (Anhinga rufa)    		10
    54Heron, Grey
    (Ardea cinerea)    		20
    57Heron, Purple
    (Ardea purpurea)    		30
    59Egret, Little
    (Egretta garzetta)    		30
    81Ibis, African Sacred
    (Threskiornis aethiopicus)    		40
    89Goose, Egyptian
    (Alopochen aegyptiaca)    		140Confirmed Breeding
    96Duck, Yellow-billed
    (Anas undulata)    		120
    98Teal, Cape
    (Anas capensis)    		20
    212Coot, Red-knobbed
    (Fulica cristata)    		1000
    287Gull, Kelp
    (Larus dominicanus)    		70
    289Gull, Hartlaub's
    (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)    		20
    290Tern, Caspian
    (Hydroprogne caspia)    		20
    686Wagtail, Cape
    (Motacilla capensis)    		10
    10015Mallard, Hybrid
    (Anas hybrid)    		110


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

    Friday 30 January 2026 01:50
    FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
    Department of Biological Sciences - University of Cape Town

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