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    Zandvlei: Upper Estuary (34061828)

    Western Cape
    Card 510821
    Compiler 10691
    Location code 34061828Zandvlei: Upper Estuary (Western Cape)
    Start date 2024-07-20
    Season WWinter
    Start time
    End time
    Shoreline covered 90
    Openwater covered 95
    Total Species 25
    Total Count 635
    Wetland Condition 2Partially full (mid tide for estuaries)
    Wetland Threats 0
    Count Condition 3Moderate
    Count Type 1On foot
    Nil Count (No birds present) 0There were CWAC species present
    Notes "After a stormy, rainy, cold week today was forecast to have a respite. There has been record rainfall for this month in the Cape Town and surrounding areas (see the photos at the litter trap on the Sand River) where 28 Sacred Ibis were feeding in this area. A very brief light sprinkle of rain with a rainbow as well as bright sun shine, when we were about to start counting on the west shore. There were pools of water more than ankle deep in many areas we walk through, so wellies were a good call from Gigi earlier in the week. The main waterbody was full and overflowing the northern edges in the upper region even though it was low tide and the estuary mouth has been open for the last 6 weeks for the winter season. There was no wind today and in areas the water was glass smooth with wonderful inverted reflections. Thanks to Kyran and his staff counting the Marina canals by boat. He found half the flock of Night Herons which also had a juvenile (see the photo) with them. "
    Survey notes


    Add additional observers
    Observer NumberNameOptions
    0David and Joan Walker
     
    0F Ellmore
     
    0Gigi Laidler
     
    0Linda Hibbin
     
    0S Fogarty
     

    Current data
    Ref #SpeciesCountBreeding
    Pairs    		Breeding
    indicator
    4Grebe, Great Crested
    (Podiceps cristatus)    		120
    47Cormorant, White-breasted
    (Phalacrocorax lucidus)    		100
    48Cormorant, Cape
    (Phalacrocorax capensis)    		200
    50Cormorant, Reed
    (Microcarbo africanus)    		360
    52Darter, African
    (Anhinga rufa)    		110
    54Heron, Grey
    (Ardea cinerea)    		30
    57Heron, Purple
    (Ardea purpurea)    		10
    59Egret, Little
    (Egretta garzetta)    		220
    81Ibis, African Sacred
    (Threskiornis aethiopicus)    		80
    84Ibis, Hadada
    (Bostrychia hagedash)    		30
    87Flamingo, Lesser
    (Phoeniconaias minor)    		270
    89Goose, Egyptian
    (Alopochen aegyptiaca)    		80
    96Duck, Yellow-billed
    (Anas undulata)    		420
    98Teal, Cape
    (Anas capensis)    		240
    210Moorhen, Common
    (Gallinula chloropus)    		40
    212Coot, Red-knobbed
    (Fulica cristata)    		280
    245Lapwing, Blacksmith
    (Vanellus armatus)    		120
    269Avocet, Pied
    (Recurvirostra avosetta)    		20
    274Thick-knee, Water
    (Burhinus vermiculatus)    		10
    287Gull, Kelp
    (Larus dominicanus)    		1900
    288Gull, Grey-headed
    (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus)    		40
    289Gull, Hartlaub's
    (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)    		1520
    290Tern, Caspian
    (Hydroprogne caspia)    		50
    394Kingfisher, Pied
    (Ceryle rudis)    		80
    397Kingfisher, Malachite
    (Corythornis cristatus)    		20


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

    Friday 30 January 2026 12:27
    FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
    Department of Biological Sciences - University of Cape Town

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