Beach Patrol 12 April 2015

On Sunday the 12th of April 2015, the Amatigulu Honorary Officers along with Ezemvelo Staff conducted a Beach Patrol in front of the Amatigulu Nature Reserve. In attendance was Calvin Harris, Paul and Marilyn Johnson, Peter Coulon and Selvan Pillay along with 3 staff members. Our aim for the day was to firstly become a regular presence along the coast line in front of the reserve, accompany an Ezemvelo staff member in checking fishing licenses and to do a spot beach bird count. For those who wanted to focus their attention on the reserve, there was an opportunity to inspect the Whale Tower's state and any other areas of maintenance would could assist with.


At 7:00am our convoy departed from the main gate of ANR with a bit of haste as we were in a race against time to conduct the beach patrol before High Tide which was at approximately 9:00am. We took the turn off at the number 12 bridge just North of the reserve, which quickly turned into some light 4x4ing given the rutted tracks and sand dunes (this route should only be tackled by 4x4 vehicles).

Upon arrival at the beach we were please to see no vehicle tracks from civilian vehicles on the beach sand, as driving along the beach in restricted areas is prohibited. Selvan lead the way onto the actual beach whereby we soon came across a group of approximately 15 recreational fisherman. The group had clearly been at this spot overnight as there was a small fire burning with some of the fisherman still sleeping. Selvan along with his staff members proceeded to request fishing licenses from all who were fishing at the time of our arrival. All but two of the group had valid fishing licenses which was pleasing to see. Unfortunately an under sized Salmon had been found in their possession so fines were issued for invalid fishing licenses and the under-sized fish.There was another small group of fisherman further South on the beach too, the group's licenses were also checked with all having valid permits.

Unfortunately the birding was not successful with only a solitary Wooly-necked Stork observed on the beach.

Amatigulu HOs embracing Citizen Science

A collection of the Amatigulu Honorary Officers got together on Saturday morning to share ideas about how we could make Citizen Science central to our contribution towards meaningful conservation.

The HOs were shown how to use functional smart phone applications such as Tracking the Wild and African Raptor Observations. Both applications allow you to record sightings such as mammals and birds of prey respectively. After a few initial explanations, the group was engaged in this new form of animal tracking. Links to both websites are displayed below should you wish to learn more.

www.trackingthewild.com

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fluidfacades.habitatinfo.rapterobs&hl=en

(Please note that the African Raptors Observation App is currently only available on Android)

The group wrapped up with a session focusing on the Animal Demography Unit (ADU) which allows birders, froggers and butterfly enthusiasts to log their sightings on a scientific database. With most of the group being keen birders, we feel that we as a group can contribute greatly to this initiative. This data bank allows for long-term species tracking and monitoring which is vital for conservation efforts throughout the Southern African Region. A partnership with the University of Cape Town has lead to citizen science projects such as CWAC counts (Coordinated Water Bird Counts) and MyBirdPatch which are accessible to all throughout the country. The link to the main website can be found below:

www.adu.org.za

test post 2 amatigulu ho

test post saturday

February in Amatigulu Nature Reserve

The reserve had some rain in the last week of February causing some damage to the roads and breathing some life into the veld, which is now lush and green. The veld is full of flowers at the moment.

Looking North on the 4 x 4 trail

The grassland is in excellent condition

The roads on the 4 x 4 trail have deteriorated considerably

Digitaria spp

Aloe humanea or the Dwarf Aloe, is flowering in the grassland in various places in the reserve

An unidentified small herb in the grassland

Wild dagga plants are currently in flower

Last year's crop of young giraffe are looking quite adult now

Despite the recent rain the pan on the 4 x 4 trail has not retained any water.

Invader plants at Amatigulu Nature Reserve - November 2014

Much work has been done at Amatigulu Nature Reserve in the last year or two, to eradicate invader plants. In 2013, the alien plant eradication team worked on several large blocks in the reserve, removing Lantana and Chromolaena. This is a very expensive program, but  these invaders had taken over vast tracts of land in the reserve.

Follow-up programs ensure that the invader plants do not recur.

Unfortunately, the Lantana is growing back in many parts of the reserve, and appearing now in other stands as well.

Bugweed is currently covering large stands of land in the sections along the 4x4 trail.

This illustrates the difficulty in managing these invader plants in our reserves.

Large stands of bugweed in the forest sections along the 4x4 trail.

Lanata regrowth in many parts of the reserve

The grasslands are also suffering from bush encroachment by Acacia species. This can be kept at bay by bulk grazers or by burning. The grass load on this section of grassland indicates that burning has not taken place on this piece of grassland for some time.

 

Kudu at Amatigulu Nature Reserve November 2014

We have often wondered how many Kudu we have left at Amatigulu Nature Reserve. We have seen small groups in the forests on the 4 x 4 trail in the past. The largest of these groups was 7. On other occasions we have 3 very large adult males together- also on the 4x4 trail.

Yesterday (Sunday 2 November) we encountered a group of 10 kudu in the grass near the Matshangulu Pan. Most of them were lying down in the grass - some were browsing.

There were 9 females and one young male. All of them are particularly large animals - similar to those we see in the Eastern Shores Nature Reserve ( and those are bigger than the ones we see in the Kruger National Park).

Interestingly the mature adult males were nowhere to be seen. It is interesting that they allow the young male to remain in the presence of the females at this time of the year. The young male looks as if he might be at the age where he could breed with the females. In that case, are the adult males still around or have they disappeared?

We should probably now use our camera traps to see if we can locate the adult males and confirm their presence in ANR.

Beach Clean-up September 2014

The Honorary Officers and staff of Amatigulu facilitated a clean-up of the riverine areas of the Amatigulu Nature Reserve in September. Fifty and more university students from the University of KwaZuluNatal participated as volunteers in this activity. They were joined by 20 school pupils from the nearby schools. 

The students were briefed by Dumisani before moving out into the bush to collect litter. He was assisted by HO's Calvin Harris, Paul Johnstone, and Paul Risi.

HO weekend away at Bonamanzi Nature Reserve

Our first annual social weekend away, was held at Bonamanzi NR near Hluhluwe. Bonamanzi is a well-known birding site (recognized by BirdLife South Africa) and is also a recommended site for tree spotters, being acknowledged by the Dendrological Society of KwaZuluNatal as a unique site for tree lovers.
The camping at Bonamanzi is exceptional. One is surrounded by amazing bird life, and magnificent sandveld forest. Nylala, Zebra, and Red Duiker abound, and leopards are common in the reserve.

A highlight of the weekend was being able to watch the Boks smoke New Zealand from a bush bar above a lake with monster crocs - how cool is that!?

 

The pool camp area with Greg's camp in the background and the modern ablution block in the right foreground. The site has some magnificent Acacia robusta trees, Torch trees and Marulas.

Each site has a level area and a built-in braai as well as a light and electricity supply.

Hammocks fit well between the trees!

Peter Saville, our Vice - Chairman, conducting a private meeting from the hammock.

The group secretary, Priscilla, showing some reluctance to get back to work!

Yvonne Saville preparing some scrambled egg on the quiet.

The engaged couple multi-tasking at the skottel. Greg and Jackie.

Greg was not beyond charming the secretary.

Pete Saville sorting out some bacon for himself.

Peter Coulon enjoying the vibe!

On a short excursion to Hluhluwe, we came across this mother rhino and her young. Check the horn of this female!!

We saw 33 rhino in that one morning!

Another female with a very tired little man!

Rotary Family Health Day at Amatigulu Nature Reserve April 2014

The Rotary Clubs of South Africa facilitate local Family health days annually in South Africa.

Rotary Ballito, in conjunction with the Honorary Officers of Amatigulu Nature Reserve, hosted a Family health day in the reserve in April.

Working together with the Department of Health, 10 practitioners provided medical services to 78 local citizens free of charge. The services ranged from AIDS testing to pregnancy tests, child nutrition, diabetes and blood pressure testing and several others.

Where necessary, patients are referred on to clinics for further testing.

A nurse from the DoH testing one of the field rangers from Amatigulu NR

DoH staff worked from a number of stations in the education centre.

Local residents were ready and waiting long before the clinic opened for business. Some came by tractor, some by truck and some walked kilometers in order to attend.

HO and Rotarian Paul Risi used his vehicle to collect patients and deliver them to the site of the temporary clinic.

Conservation workshop for senior Citizens of the Amatigulu area.

The Amatigulu HO Group hosted a conservation workshop for senior citizens on 17 December 2013. the workshop was held in the Education Centre and was hosted in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and the Environment from Stanger. Delani Ndlovu from the department arranged for 35 senior citizens to join the workshop.

Clive Watson and the senior ranger addressing the senior citizens

Delani Ndlovu of the Dept of Agriculture who acted as organizer and interpreter  during the event.

Several of the senior citizens during the workshop

The senior citizens were provided with lunch on the day

The representative of the senior citizens thanking the HO's and the reserve staff for the workshop.

Although many of the seniors could not speak English, they were able to understand the concepts from the visuals presented during the workshop. Delani was an able and entertaining interpreter. 

Each senior citizen was presented with a potted tree for planting back home. They were given mango and orange trees.