Nature Watch southern KZN

Alien Invader of the month - Ageratum

2012-02-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Category 1

Ageratum conyzoides - Invading ageratum
Ageratum houstonianum - Mexican ageratum

Ageratum conyzoides

Ageratum houstonianum

Description
Blue to mauve, slightly aromatic flowers in compact terminal flowerheads. Leaves bright green in opposite pairs with shallow toothed, or serrated, margins. May reach a height of 1.5m but typically less than 1m. Flowers all year.

Origin
Central America

Control
Can be hand pulled in small areas.
For larger areas use herbicide.
For more detailed advice consult Invasive Alien Plants in Kwazulu-Natal Management and Control

BIRDLIFE TROGONS Bird walks and Bird Ringing sessions

2012-02-19T00:17:00.001-08:00

Birdlife Trogons Bird Club have regular bird walks and bird ringing sessions, every month, which are open to all to participate.

For further details of venues and times please visit the Trogons Blogsite HERE

27th February 2012 BOTSOC KZN Talk- Amazing China

2011-07-11T00:05:00.001-07:00

KZN Coastal Branch presents

Is China just about people and pollution, or are they environmentally conscious? During a four week tour of mainland China, some of it off the beaten track, Charles and Julia Botha took over 2500 photos. This is your opportunity to see a selection of the most astonishing ones - some that may shock and others that will make you laugh.

Besides environmental issues such as plants, birds and conservation, the talk will include many other fascinating aspects ranging from food to religion and politics, and so will also be of interest to those who are not BotSoc members. Don’t miss this presentation, which is sure to hold many surprises and to dispel some popular myths and misconceptions about China and its people.

27^th February 2012: 18H00 at the Visitors Centre, Durban Botanic Gardens

Entrance: R25 for members, R35 for non-members (includes tea and cake)

RSVP: Tel 031 2015111 / 031 3091170 or email botsoc-kzn@mweb.co.za

All proceeds from this event go the Botanical Education Trust and the Durban Botanic Gardens Trust

11th March 2012 PENNINGTON CONSERVANCY walk 'Rocky Shores'

2011-07-10T00:21:00.000-07:00

Invasive Alien Plants in Kwazulu-Natal

2000-01-01T23:05:00.000-08:00

Published by WESSA-KZN, this informative handbook is an essential guide to the management and control of alien invasive plants in our region.

Available from Gaze Gallery, Margate Furnishers, and Ramsgate Stationers

Tree walks with Joan Smith

2000-01-01T00:01:00.003-08:00

Millettia grandis
(Photo talkingplants.blogspot.com)

Join Joan Smith on her regular Tuesday walks to learn more about the indigenous trees found in our area.

For more details contact Joan on

039 319 1236 or 073 665 7567

Magpie (Pied) Mannikin research Your help is needed

2000-01-01T00:01:00.002-08:00

Andy's garden, Sea Park January 2006
(Photo Andy Ruffle)

(Photo Andrew Pickles)

The Magpie (Pied) Mannkin Spermestes fringilloides, although not globally threatened, is listed as Near-threatened in South Africa*. It is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Zimbabwe and Mozambique, with an isolated population focused around Anerley in Kwazulu-Natal*.
Very little is known about this species, especially our local population, with much of the 'current' information dating back to the eighties*.
In June 2002 local bird ringer Andrew Pickles started a ringing project in an effort to find out more about the movements and life expectancy of this intriguing little resident.
The ongoing project now has some 157 birds ringed, but without feedback, Andrew is struggling to accumulate data.
We therefore appeal to everyone who is fortunate enough to have the 'Magpies' visiting their bird feeders, to carefully scan for any ringed birds. If you do see a ringed bird, please note the combination of colours on each leg, date and location seen. An example of the ring layout can be seen in the photo below- 2 colour rings on the left leg; 1 metal ring and 1 colour ring on the right leg.
Andrew is also desperately looking for more locations to ring the birds, so if you can assist in any way, please let him know. The more data aquired, the more we will learn.
Andrew can be contacted via barbet@venturenet.co.za , or alternatively you can contact Andy Ruffle via andy_ruffle@yahoo.co.uk.

Ring example for Andrew's project
(Photo Andrew Pickles)

* reference Roberts VII

'The Beach Book' by Dr Jerry Gosnell launched 23rd July 2011

2000-01-01T00:01:00.001-08:00

Size : 152 pages : 148mm x 105mm in portrait : 150grams

ISBN no.978-0-620-50296-2

This delightful pocket-size (A6) guide to the common plants on the dunes and the seaweed of rock pools along the east coast of South Africa.

published by the Flora & Fauna Publications Trust.

The Rear and Fore dune plants section will particularly appeal to folk living just behind the dunes and battling with rehabilitation and gardening.

A smorgasbord of flora from beach dune to coastal forest covers dune scrub, grasses, the colourful Marguerite, Vygies, Gazania and many more, to creepers and the magnificent coastal aloes & Kniphofia, shrubs, the renowned Natal Wild Banana and the hardy coastal trees including the beautiful Coastal Redmilkwood, the Natal Guarrie and the Lagoon Hibiscus.

Seaweeds: An exciting range of the Green, Brown and Red seaweeds covering the Sub-Tidal fringe (below Low Water Spring Tide), through Lower, Mid and Upper Inter-tidal zones to High Water Spring Tide. The role of seaweeds in the marine environment is well covered as is their reproduction and uses.

Great pleasure is to be had identifying seaweeds whilst precariously balancing on the edge of a pool ...!

Available from: Butterfly Valley, Clearwater Trails, Flora & Fauna Publications Trust, Gaze Gallery, Margate Furnishers, PC Magic, Ramsgate Stationers, Riverbend Crocodile Farm.

Hillcrest Conservancy

2000-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Who and what is

HILLCREST CONSERVANCY?

Volunteer Members of the community who wish

“To observe and become involved with all environmental issues in order to meaningfully contribute to good conservation practice in co-operation with any relevant authorities.”

Some Hillcrest Conservancy projects:

Springside Nature Reserve improvements and Invasive Alien Plant control

Twice-monthly environmental walks and talks

Children's holiday programmes

The Kassier Road Project: IAP clearance

Assagay Wetland project

Embo outreach programme in the “pipeline”

Invasive Alien Plant and Environment Law seminars

Assistance for other groups, e.g. KHBA clearing for Hillcrest Trailway

Your support is vital, become a member for a nominal annual Subscription fee of R30 per family (July to June) to confirm your commitment to support the aims of Springside Hillcrest Conservancy and receive regular e-mailed notices of meetings, activities and other environmental news.

Have you discovered or visited Springside Nature Reserve, a natural gem being conserved in the heart of Hillcrest?. Directions: from the M13 take the Old Main Road/Hillcrest off-ramp; travel toward Hillcrest and at the Heritage Market turn right into Stonewall Road. At the first T-junction turn right into Springside Road and continue until you see the reserve entrance on your left.

Springside Nature Reserve is ecologically important, offering as it does a rich biodiversity in 20ha of forest, grassland and wetland. The forested areas provide shelter, nest sites and food for many bird species; the grassland nurtures a multitude of indigenous wildflowers; and the natural wetland, among the few remaining in KZN, filters the stream, conserves water in droughts and reduces flood damage whilst sustaining a vital wildlife habitat.

Springside Nature Reserve was proclaimed in 1948 but seldom used until the 1980's when a group of Hillcrest ratepayers, mainly from Rotary and Lions Clubs, Scout Group, High School and Wildlife Society formed a Steering Committee to manage the Reserve backed by the Hillcrest Town Board. The current Hillcrest Conservancy voluntary committee continues to ensure the preservation of this valuable natural asset for all to enjoy, together with eThekweni Department of Natural Resources.

Springside Nature Reserve offers easy walks on well maintained and clearly marked trails, shady picnic area, Resource Centre for environmental education and presentations, and regular guided walks with knowledgeable leaders, talks by experts, children’s holiday programmes, and more.

HILLCREST CONSERVANCY
Chairman: George Victor 073 901 3902
Secretary: Beryl Draper 031-767 3325 beryldraper@vodamail.co.za
Treasurer: Sue Schönefeld 031-765 6809
Walks: Sue 031-7656809 & Luci Coelho 0827803549
Youth-Eco: Anne Metcalf 084 6821580