Restoring the tables in the Education Center

Paul Risi provided enough wood the construct new surfaces for the table frames in the Ed.center. He undertook to do this job and was assisted by the rest of the group on Saturday 13 th July. There are 4 large tables to be restored.

The frames were rubbed down and re-painted.

The woodwork was attached and sealed.

Thanks Paul, for the wood, the work and the initiative!

CNW 

Winter Bird Count June 2013

The winter bird count took place on Sat 29th June. We were joined by HO from Durban North who spent the weekend camping out at Amatigulu. Counting began at 07h30 and continued until late afternoon. There were 16 counters working in 3 groups, assigned to trails 1-4 and also the 4x4 trail.

The HO group out at Matshangulu Pan 

Priscilla with Helga and Rob from the Durban North HO group

Our list for the day totaled 82 birds with 48 species being spotted on the 4x4 trail (open veld, acacia forest and fresh water pan) , 46 on trails 1 and 2 combined (river sections), and 25 on trail 3 and 4 (riverine and open woodland).

Highlights were the sighting of a secretary bird on the 4x4 trail, a palm nut vulture on the river trail and a cuckoo strike on the forest trail.

The day ended with a braai back at camp. Paul and Mahesh with Pete Saville in the "camo" jacket

Secretary Bird

Trumpeter Hornbill

Little bee-eater

Burchell's Coucal

White fronted bee-eater.

Other interesting sighting on the day included:

African green pigeon

African black swift

Yellow-rumped tinkerbird

Orange throated longclaw

Black-bellied bustard

Jackal buzzard

African fish 

Cape Shoveler

Goliath heron and young

Red-billed teal

White-faced duck

Yellow-spotted nicator

Sombre bulbul

Red-capped robin chat

Yellow-breasted apalis

Long-billed crombec

Green-backed camreoptera

Dusky flycatcher

Black flycatcher

Blue-grey flycatcher

Paradise flycatcher

CNW

Conservation workshop for local primary schools

In June we hosted two local primary schools to a conservation morning at the education centre. This workshop was initiated by the Amatigulu HO group, assisted by the Department of Agriculture and the Environment from Stanger. 60 pupils from grades 6 and 7 attended the workshop accompanied by their teachers.

The OIC for Amatigulu NR, Mabhida Ntenga addressed the school group and spoke about his role as conservator for Amatigulu, as well as the roles played by his field rangers in protecting the reserve.

The localEzemvelo Community Conservation Officer, Cyril Buthelezi, illustrated several conservation issues by way of educational games.

Delani Ndlovu from the Dept of A and E, provided the screen and projector for the event.

The workshop presented by HO Clive Watson, illustrated the following conservation issues:

1. The need to conserve our natural environment
2. The need to protect the environs of Amatigulu NR
3. The importance of anti-poaching activities
4. The potential benefits of the reserve to the local community in terms of both the local economy and employment for community members.

The teachers suggested that we form a joint steering committee to plan for further school visits and so that the workshops tie in with the curriculum in the schools.

Planning for these activities is under way.

The education center has no chairs at this stage - pupils had to sit on the floor during this presentation. potential sponsors need to be sought so that the necessary basic furniture can be obtained. The schools also need assistance with transport to and from the reserve.

CNW