SPATIAL PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

Koos Retief Biodiversity Area Manager: T: 021 444 0315 E: [email protected]

T A B L E B A Y N A T U R E R E S E R V E

QUARTERLY REPORT: OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2018

CONTENTS Pg.

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 2

2 HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES ...... 2

3 CONSERVATION PLANNING ...... 3

4 FLORA ...... 4

5 FAUNA ...... 7

6 SOIL ...... 13

7 WATER ...... 13

8 FIRE ...... 14

9 PEOPLE, TOURISM & EDUCATION ...... 15

10 STAFF ...... 22

11 LAW ENFORCEMENT ...... 23

12 INFRASTRUCTURE & EQUIPMENT ...... 26

APPENDIX A: MAP OF RESERVE ...... 28

APPENDIX B: PRESS ARTICLES ...... 29

The City of ’s Nature Reserves webpage can be accessed by clicking this link.

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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 A Black-winged pratincole (Glareola nordmanni) was seen by Jan and Frieda Prinsloo in Rietvlei.  The Protected Area Advisory Committee had its 13th meeting on 18/10/2018.  Typha capensis bulrushes in the water bodies at Waves’ Edge and the Dolphin Beach Hotel were treated with herbicide with funding from Ward Councillor Nicky Rheeder of Ward 107.  The restoration of the Critically Endangered sand fynbos in a portion of the Milnerton Racecourse is progressing with additional propagation of plant cuttings and rescued plants.  A water bird census was conducted on 19/10/2018, totalling of 5,516 birds comprising of 39 species.  Ten Cape grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) were relocated from the Milnerton Racecourse.  Rainfall in the Table Bay Nature Reserve was below average, but the central pans remained wet.  The estuary mouth at the Milnerton Lagoon was artificially breached to prevent flooding.  The University of Technology and Centurion Academy were both hosted at the Rietvlei boma for the evaluation of their work-integrated learning (WIL) students.  All four work-integrated learning students based at the Table Bay Nature Reserve passed the practical component of their various diploma courses in 2018.  Two joint operations were conducted with Law Enforcement to control illegal occupation.  Illegal plant harvesting in the Milnerton Racecourse was addressed by educating staff at the stables.

2 HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES

2.1 HIGHLIGHT: A Black-winged pratincole (Glareola nordmanni) (see Figure 1 left) was reported by Jan and Frieda Prinsloo. Various other bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts also saw it. This bird is a Near-threatened Palearctic breeding summer migrant, and is a very rare sighting in the . It was only seen by a few people from the bird hides at Rietvlei.

Bird watching is a growing hobby pastime. The Rietvlei wetland lends itself very well to seeing many of the typical birds of the Western, and very often also some rare and endangered birds. Figure 1. Black-winged pratincole (photo by Jan and Frieda Prinsloo).

2.2 CHALLENGE: Sewage spillages from blocked sewer manholes and drain covers affected the Nature Reserve and water quality negatively. There are kilometers of sewer pipes, pumps, and reticulation infrastructure that is not easily accessible to monitor. Faults and incidents were reported to Water & Sanitation to unblock the sewers. Unfortunately the damage to the environment is harder to manage.

Figure 2. Sewer spill near Milnerton Horse Riding Club. Figure 3. Overflowing manhole in the Diep River.

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3 CONSERVATION PLANNING

3.1 The Protected Area Advisory Committee (PAAC) for Table Bay Nature Reserve had its 13th meeting on 18/10/2018. The meeting was attended by 27 representatives from 18 organisations, including:

Guest Speaker: Cape Peninsula University of Technology Milnerton Aquatic Club Al Mare Home Owners Association Milnerton Canoe Club Cape Bird Club Guest: Milnerton Central Residents Association CCT: Biodiversity Management Branch Paardeneiland City Improvement District CCT: Environment & Heritage Management SANCCOB CCT: Subcouncil 3 An Environmental Specialist Department of Environmental Affairs & Development Planning Ratepayers Association Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation Area West Coast Way Friends of Rietvlei Woodbridge Island Body Corporate

Some of the items on the agenda included:

 Election of a chairperson  Late application: Milnerton Central Residents Association  Acceptance of Constitution  Acceptance of Code of Conduct  Mammals in the Rietvlei Section of the Table Bay Nature Reserve (a camera trap study), presentation by Ms Andrea Schnetler  Erosion of the Northern shore adjacent to Al Mare development, feedback by Mr Koos Retief  Diep Estuary Management Plan, update by Ms Hester Pentz  Quarterly Reports (April to September 2018), presentation by Mr Koos Retief

Figure 4. The 13th meeting of the advisory committee.

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4 FLORA

4.1 Invasive alien vegetation was removed from various management sections of the Nature Reserve, including at:  The Diep River adjacent to River Hamlet and the new Rivergate development.  The Rietvlei Section where Port Jacksons were removed along the R27 fence line.  The Zoarvlei Section where follow-up invasive alien clearing was done adjacent to Brooklyn Chest Hospital. Wild mustard weeds were also removed (see Figures 5-6).  The Milnerton Racecourse Section where various weeds, including Vicia, Echium, Wild mustard weed and Port Jackson seedlings

were removed. Figure 5. Wild mustard weeds being removed.

Figure 6. The yellow flowers in this image are wild mustard weeds in a field at the Zoarvlei Section.

4.2 Typha capensis bulrushes were treated with herbicide in the water bodies adjacent to Waves’ Edge and the Dolphin Beach Hotel (see Figure 7 right). HENCHEM was employed to undertake the work on a tender agreement with the City. The work was funded by an R80,000 allocation from Ward Councillor Nicky Rheeder of Ward 107. Another R80,000 was also allocated for the 2019/20 financial year. The bulrushes are being suppressed with the herbicide in order to reduce the amount of seed fluff released at the end of the summer. This seed fluff is perceived as a nuisance by surrounding residents. The suppression of these reed beds is a project that has been ongoing for about a decade. The water bodies serve as detention ponds to retain stormwater, and the nutrients in the stormwater create ideal conditions for the reed growth.

Figure 7. Herbicide application in progress at Dolphin Beach Hotel.

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4.3 The restoration of the Critically Endangered in a portion of the Milnerton Racecourse is progressing. The restoration area, which was previously used for horse training, is being restored to incorporate it into the Nature Reserve. Pelargonium capitatum, Metalasia muricata, and Athanasia dentata cuttings were collected from the Nature Reserve on 10/10/2018 and taken to Westlake to be propagated in the nursery. Several thousand other cuttings of Helichrysum patulum, Leucadendron levisanus, and Athanasia dentata, are already being propagated and will also be planted back into the Nature Reserve in 2019. A search-and-rescue operation was conducted at a section of the race track which was covered with fynbos before it was cleared. Some indigenous species have however re-emerged in this track area (see Figure 9 below) and it was felt that it would be beneficial if the plants were rescued and replanted into the Nature Reserve. The newly appointed Restoration Coordinator Penelope Grey (see Figure 8 right), as well as Extended Public Works Programme workers from the Westlake nursery, helped Nature Reserve staff to rescue 90 Hellmuthia membranacea, 190 Elegia tectorum, 18 Monopsis lutea, 21 Orphium frutescens, and 4 Geranium incanum on 29/11/2018. Cuttings were also taken of Nidorella foetida which will also be planted back. These plants will be kept in bags at the Westlake nursery (see Figure 10 right) until they are ready to be planted back into the Nature Reserve. Figure 8. Restoration Coordinator, Penelope Grey, rescuing plants.

Figure 9. Restios growing through a portion of the racetrack. Figure 10. Thousands of plants being propagated for the reserve.

4.4 Flora search-and-rescue operations were also done on private land adjacent to the Diep River Section, with assitance from Penelope Grey, members of CREW and the Friends groups. A Ficinia plant, an Aspalathus plant, a Dicerothamnus rhinocerotis plant, as well as two Cliffortia plants, three Aristea africana, four Serruria plants, seven Restio plants, 36 Thamnochortus fruticosus and 78 Erica ferrea were rescued at the Rivergate development on 20/12/2018.

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4.5 Some notable flora species that were observed in the Nature Reserve during this quarter include Ferraria uncinata (which was last recorded in Milnerton Racecourse in 2011), as well as Polygala myrtifolia which is a new species recorded in the Milnerton Racecourse (see Figures 11-19 below).

Figure 11. Wahlenbergia capensis. Figure 12. Ornithogalum thyrsoides. Figure 13. Geissorhiza tenella.

Figure 14. Babiana tubiflora. Figure 15. Laperousia anceps. Figure 16. Wachendorfia paniculata.

Figure 17. Ferraria uncinata. Figure 18. Polygala myrtifolia. Figure 19. Muraltia spinosa.

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5 FAUNA

5.1 A water bird census was conducted on 19/10/2018. The census was done by the Nature Reserve staff, covering 11 survey sections. The water birds numbered a total of 5,516 birds comprising of 39 species (see Figures 20-22 for details).

17 species with single-figure counts (totalling 64 birds) accounted for 2,5% of the water bird census, 64 including: one Bank , Purple swamphen, hybrid, and an Unidentified duck each, two Purple , , White-faced whistling duck, Pied kingfisher, and Giant kingfisher each, four 597 Blackheaded heron, five Great crested , six , , and Hadeda ibis, seven Little egret, and eight and 1072 Redbilled teal each. 18 species with double-figure counts (totalling 597 birds) accounted for 23,7% of the water bird census, including: 11 Whiskered tern, 12 Southern pochard, 20 African , 22 Common moorhen, 23 , 23 Cape teal, 24 Whitebreasted cormorant, 24 Sacred ibis, 25 Blackwinged stilt, 27 783 Glossy ibis, 31 Cape shoveller, 31 , 37 Pied avocet, 41 Lesser , 41 Yellowbilled duck, 48 Kelp gull, 73 Blacksmith lapwing, and 84 Blacknecked grebe. Seven species with triple-figure counts (totalling 783 17 species with single-figure counts birds) accounted for 31,1% of the water bird census, 18 species with double-figure counts including: 133 Egyptian goose, 240 Greater flamingo, and 410 Redknobbed coot. 3 species with triple-figure counts One bird species (Hartlaub’s gull) with a quadruple- 1 species with quadruple-figure counts figure count (totalling 1,072 birds) accounted for 42,6% of the water bird census. Figure 20. Relative contribution of low, medium and high counts.

Potsdam Diep River, Zoarvlei WWTW, 234 200 North, 12 Gulls & North Vlei, Terns, 1131 Zoarvlei 243 South, 324 South Vlei, Flamingoes 137 , 281

Lagoon , 95 South, 238 Central Pan, 544 Coots & Moorhens, Lagoon Plovers & 433 North, 438 waders, Ducks & 166 Geese, 251 & others, 48 Dolphin Milnerton Beach, 116 Cormorant Ibis & Channel, 30 s, 54 spoonbill, 57 Figure 21. Relative contribution from each survey section. Figure 22. Relative contribution from the various bird groups.

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5.2 Ten Cape grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) were captured in the Milnerton Racecourse Section and relocated to the Rietvlei Section and the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve on 13 and 16/11/2018. This is because the population of grysbok in the racecourse is not being controlled by any wild predators, and their impact on the Critically Endangered Cape Flats sand fynbos is not sustainable. Over-browsing reduces the diversity and recovery of the fynbos. Since capturing and transporting wild animals are prohibited activities, permits were obtained from CapeNature. Five grysbok were captured on the 13th and five more on the 16th. The capture team was divided into a drive line and a net line. The animals were driven into the net one by one. Once they were caught, they were sedated by the veterinarian, chipped with the micro identification chip, and put into transport crates. All lactating females and un-weaned lambs were however immediately released again since it is not ideal to separate ewes and lambs at such an early age. A total of five individuals were released at the Rietvlei Section and five at the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve (see Figures 23-26 below). These Nature Reserve sections are larger and also contain natural wild predators that could control the population growth of the grysbok. More captures and relocations are being planned for the New Year.

Figure 23. Area Manager Koos Retief briefing capture teams. Figure 24. Off-loading transport crates.

Figure 25. A Cape grysbok ewe in a transport crate. Figure 26. A Cape grysbok ram released at Rietvlei.

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5.3 Two Nocturnal surveys were conducted in the Nature Reserve on 08/10/2018 and 23/10/2018. The first survey focused on frogs in Zoarvlei by recording frog calls. The recordings were compared to the recordings of calls of known frog species. It is suspected that the Arum lily frog (Hyperolius horstockii) was identified from the recorded calls, but there are no records of this species at Zoarvlei on the Biodiversity Database. Confirmation of this by a specialist is therefore required. Common platanna (Xenopus laevis) was also identified and a bunch of tadpoles were found during the survey. The second survey focused on Cape dwarf in Milnerton Racecourse. Ten Juveniles were found in one location which was then called the “nursery room.” There were no signs of adults around them, but two adults were found in a different location. Other species observed include Common mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus) and a rain spider (Palystes superciliosus) (see Figures 27-31 below).

Figure 27. Common mole-rat. Figure 28. A rain spider.

Figure 29. Baby Cape dwarf . Figure 30. Baby .

Figure 31. Adult Cape dwarf chameleon.

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5.3 A butterfly survey was conducted in the Milnerton Racecourse by Fanie Rautenbach on 6/10/2018. A total of five species were recorded, including Silver-bottom Brown (Pseudonympha magus), Water Geranium Bronze (Cacyreus fracta fracta), Citrus Swallowtail (Papilio demodocus), Meadow White (Pontia helice) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui), which was a new record for Milnerton Racecourse (see below Figures 32-34, all photos were taken by Fanie Rautenbach).

Figure 32. Painted lady. Figure 33. Citrus swallowtail. Figure 34. Meadow white.

5.4 Other interesting fauna sightings include (see Figures 35-43 below):

Figure 35. Nesting Cape wagtails. Figure 36. Spotted harlequin snake. Figure 37. Nesting .

Figure 38. Cape dwarf chameleon. Figure 39. Cape dune mole rat. Figure 40. Striped field mouse.

Figure 41. White-face whistling ducks. Figure 42. Blue Emperor dragonfly. Figure 43. Cape honey bee.

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5.5 Wildlife photographers, Jan and Frieda Prinsloo, also submitted photographs of interesting sightings recorded during this quarter, including:  A Red-chested (Piet-My-Vrou) (Cuculus solitarius) (see Figure 44 left). This cuckoo has the distinctive “piet-my-vrou” call. Various are often seen in the Ficus natalensis trees at the parking area of the Nature Conservation office.  A Black-winged pratincole (Glareola nordmanni) (see Figure 45 below). This is a Near-threatened Palearctic breeding summer migrant, and is a very rare sighting in the Western Cape. This bird was only seen by a few people from the bird hides.  A Giant kingfisher (Megaceryle maximus). A fish eating bird that hunts from perches.  A flock of White (Ciconia ciconia) circling above Rietvlei.

We encourage all wildlife photographers to send pictures of wildlife from the Nature Reserve.

Interesting pictures may be included in future

quarterly reports from the Nature Reserve. Figure 44. Red-chested cuckoo.

Figure 45. Black-winged pratincole.

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Figure 46. Flock of White storks.

Figure 47. Giant kingfisher.

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6 SOIL

Nothing to report.

7 WATER

7.1 Rainfall recorded in the Table Bay Nature Reserve was below average. The total rainfall during this quarter was 22.5 mm at Rietvlei and 29.4 mm at Milnerton Racecourse. During 2018 Rietvlei’s rainfall totalled 467.5 mm and Milnerton Racecourse totalled 488.2 mm. The meagre rainfall in this quarter was however still able to keep the central pans wet. Figure 48 below indicates the monthly rainfall records of Rietvlei and Milnerton Racecourse in 2018 plotted over the average rainfall pattern. Figure 49 below indicates the accumulation curve for Rietvlei’s rainfall in the current year, compared to the wettest and driest years, and plotted over the average rainfall accumulation curve.

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Average Rietvlei Racecourse

Figure 48. Monthly rainfall records of Rietvlei and Milnerton Racecourse in 2018 plotted over the average rainfall pattern.

800.0

700.0 Wettest year (2013), 669.5

600.0

500.0 Current year (2018), 467.5

400.0

300.0 Driest year (2010), 273.0

200.0

100.0 Average accumulation, 465.1

0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Figure 49. Comparison on 2018’s rainfall with the wettest and driest years in recent history.

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7.2 The estuary mouth at the Milnerton Lagoon was artificially breached on 10/12/2018. The mouth started closing in 2017 for the first time due to low flow in the river and the formation of a sand bar along the seafront. This resulted in the river being unable to flow out to sea. The high tides are able to flow over the sand bar into the Lagoon however. The threat is that water levels can rise until local flooding occurs. Environmental authorisation was obtained in 2017 to use an excavator to breach the sand bar to prevent flooding, and this method was previously used eight times to breach the mouth. During the past winter the mouth however stayed open most of the time, but it started to close again this summer. Water levels inside the lagoon rose steadily until it caused a potential threat of flooding. The breaching allowed the water to flow out to sea, thereby preventing flooding damage to nearby public infrastructure. A large amount of water left the lagoon in a short time period (see Figures 50-51 below), but the sand bar closed again towards the end of December 2018.

Figure 50. Excavator breaching the sand bar. Figure 51. Water starting to flow out of the lagoon.

8 FIRE

8.1 A wildfire occurred in the Coastal Section near the Dolphin Beach Hotel on 29/11/2018. It is believed that the fire was started by displaced people who were illegally staying in the Nature Reserve and cooking food on open fires. During previous years dense vegetation was cleared away from the walls of the Hotel to prevent wildfires causing damage to the building. Regular patrols and operations to remove displaced people are also being undertaken. The Fire & Rescue Services extinguished the fire and no damage occurred to properties. The fire boundary was mapped with a GPS. Figure 52. Fire south of Dolphin Beach (photo: PH van der Grinten).

8.2 A wildfire occurred in the Zoarvlei Section on Erf 21082, next to Brooklyn Chest Hospital, on 02/11/2018 (see Figure 53 right). The source of the fire was unknown. The Fire & Rescue Services assisted to extinguish the fire. The fire boundary was mapped with a GPS. Most of the wild fires in the Zoarvlei Section are started by people burning scrap to extract metals for the scrap yard.

Figure 53. Fire with the hospital in the background.

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8.3 Several wildfires (including spot fires) also occurred near the Diep River Section and on properties adjoining the Fynbos Corridor, but these fires caused little damage to the Nature Reserve. A container at the end of Sati Road, which was placed there to prevent illegal access and dumping in the Diep River, caught alight. Fire & Rescue Services extinguished the blaze and the cause of the fire remains unknown. The fire did not spread to the Nature Reserve.

We urge the residents or any members of the public to report fires to our office at 021 444 0315 or the Figure 54. Reserve Supervisor, C Singo, mapping a fire boundary City’s Fire and Rescue Department at 021 550 1347. near the Fynbos Corridor.

Figure 55. Fire & Rescue extinguishing a fire in a container. Figure 56. A container on fire at the end of Sati Road.

9 PEOPLE, TOURISM & EDUCATION

9.1 Stakeholder Engagement

9.1.1 The launch of the newly expanded seabird rehabilitation centre at SANCCOB, which is located at the Rietvlei Section, was attended by the Protected Area Manager, Koos Retief, on 14/11/2018:

Figure 57. Launch of the expanded seabird rehabilitation centre at SANCCOB.

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9.1.2 The Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Centurion Academy were both hosted at the Rietvlei boma for the evaluation of their work-integrated learning (WIL) students in the Nature Conservation and Nature Management diploma courses respectively. Area Manager Koos Retief represented the City of Cape Town on both of these evaluation panels in 2018.

Figure 58. Students, lecturers and industry partners from the CPUT's Nature Conservation WIL class of 2018.

9.1.3 Subcouncil 3’s councillors and administration staff attended an Activity Day field trip at on 16/10/2018. The field trip was arranged and hosted by Area Manager Koos Retief, while other staff from the City as well as the Cape Town Environmental Education Trust’s Nature Care Fund supported the outing. The councillors and staff were introduced to the Zeekoevlei Environmental Education Centre (ZEEP), as well as the island camp at Rondevlei. Furthermore the councillors and staff were introduced to the Gantouw (the Way of the Eland) Project. This project introduced a herd of an eland to Rondelvei to manage thicket encroachment by means of natural browsing (see Figures 59-60 below). Lastly the councillors and staff were taken on a boat trip in Rondevlei to look for the elusive hippos, but the hippos evaded the expedition and were nowhere to be seen.

Figure 59. Subcouncil 3 at ZEEP. Figure 60. Subcouncil 3 at the Gantouw Project.

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9.1.4 Internal Meetings

Table Bay Nature Reserve staff attended at least 9 official internal meetings during this quarter:  01/10/2018: Transport and Urban Development Authority field trip to Rietvlei.  03/10/2018: Fauna Management Committee.  16/10/2018: Invasive species work-load assessment (WLA).  25/10/2018: Grysbok capture and relocation planning meeting.  01/11/2018: North Region Health & Safety and Regional Management meeting.  02/11/2018: Biodiversity Management Branch Team Building & Recognition Day.  06/12/2018: Biodiversity Management Branch meeting.  07/12/2018: Management Planning workshop.  12/12/2018: Environmental Management Department’s work-integrated learning (WIL) student recognition event.

9.1.5 External Meetings

Table Bay Nature Reserve staff attended at least 22 official external meetings during this quarter:  04/10/2018: Site visit of propose quadcopter flying club at Theo Marais Park.  04/10/2018: Meeting with Community Weaving Projects from Dunoon about sustainable reed harvesting in the Diep River.  10/10/2018: Paardeneiland Security Meeting.  12/10/2018: Meeting with Water & Sanitation Department about pollution in Diep River from neighbouring communities and industrial areas.  16/10/2018: Subcouncil 3 guided field visit to Zeekoevlei, including the Gantouw Project.  18/10/2018: Blaauwberg Development Area Environmental Liaison Committee.  18/10/2018: Table Bay Nature Reserve Advisory Committee.  24/10/2018: Biodiversity matters in the Parklands, Sandown and Rivergate Corridors.  25/10/2018: Milnerton Coastal Erosion Forum.  29/10/2018: TDA Management Staff briefing by the City Manager and the Acting Commissioner.  31/10/2018: Paardeneiland Security Meeting.  05/11/2018: Sandown Fynbos Corridor burn plan site inspection.  05/11/2018: Nature Care Fund meeting.  07/11/2018: Berg Water Management Area Resource Quality Objectives, municipality sector workshop.  07/11/2018: Paardeneiland Security Meeting.  14/11/2018: SANCCOB launch event.  20-23/20/2018: CPUT’s Nature Conservation work-integrated learning students’ assessments.  26/11/2018: Centurion Academy’s Nature Management work-integrated learning students’ assessments.  29/11/2018: Friends of Rietvlei evening meeting.  31/11/2018: Paardeneiland City Improvement District AGM.  03/12/2018: Milnerton dune erosion and dune management site inspection.  14/12/2018: Milnerton Racecourse Environmental Management Committee meeting.

9.2 Benefit to People

9.2.1 Rietvlei Education Centre Usage

The use of the Rietvlei Education Centre, excluding formal environmental education programmes, generated 59 person days of benefit to people over three event days.

DATE GROUP ACTIVITY PERSON DAYS 18/10/2018 BDA ELC Meeting 15 25/10/2018 Friends of Rietvlei Evening talk 14 29/11/2018 Friends of Rietvlei Evening talk 30 TOTAL 59

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9.2.2 Rietvlei Boma Usage

The use of the Rietvlei Boma generated at least 787 person days of benefit to people over 30 event days.

DATE GROUP ACTIVITY PERSON DAYS 04/10/2018 SANCCOB Environmental talk 40 05/10/2018 Solid Waste Management: HR Division Workshop 12 11/10/2018 Area Economic Development Central Quarterly meeting 20 18/10/2018 Table Nature Reserve Advisory Committee Quarterly meeting 27 23/10/2018 SANCCOB Environmental Education 45 25/10/2018 Area Based Service Delivery: Central Meeting 15 26-27/10/2018 Table View Brownies Overnight programme 22 31/10/2018 SANCCOB Meeting 7 06/11/2018 SANCCOB Environmental talk 35 08/11/2018 SANCCOB Environmental talk 35 13/11/2018 Organisational Effectiveness & Innovation Workshop 40 14/11/2018 Biodiversity Management Branch: Invasive Species Unit Workshop - Medical 30 15/11/2018 CTEET Managers meeting 12 16/11/2018 CCT Business enablement Training 30 19/11/2018 Biodiversity Management Branch: Invasive Species Unit Workshop – Medical 30 20-23/11/2018 Cape Peninsula University of Technology Student interviews 110 Student interviews & 26-29/11/2018 Centurion Academy 72 lectures 3-4/12/2018 Probity, Internal Audit Strategic session 80 African Biodiversity 05/12/2018 Biodiversity Management Branch 10 Database training 07/12/2018 Area Based Service Delivery: Central Regional closure meeting 45 10/12/2018 Biodiversity Management Branch: Invasive Species Unit Epilepsy awareness 40 13/12/2018 IDP Performance Management Staff workshop 30 TOTAL 787

9.2.3 The Milnerton Cubs visited the Milnerton Racecourse on 16/11/2018 to help with the restoration of a previously disturbed area of fynbos. Fifteen cub scouts helped to transplant restios and sedges from a portion of the racetrack in to a restoration site in the Nature Reserve. The group helped to carry plants and dig holes for the transplanting (see Figure 61 right). Click here to read more about the ongoing restoration of the Critically Endangered Cape Flats sand fynbos in a portion of the Milnerton Racecourse. Figure 61. Milnerton Cubs at Milnerton Racecourse.

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9.2.4 Environmental Education and Outreach

9.2.4.1 Environmental Education and Outreach generated 391 person days of benefit over 13 event days (see Figures 62-75 below and overleaf).

TEACHER PERSON- DATE GROUP(S) LEARNERS PROGRAMME +ADULTS DAYS 03/10/2018 Holiday group – Atlantis 8 1 9 Mission H20 – water cycle Mission H20 – climate 04/10/2018 Holiday group – Atlantis 8 1 9 change Mission H20 – saving 05/10/2018 Holiday group – Atlantis 8 1 9 water Bird watching & guided 23/10/2018 SANCCOB / Agape LSEN School 36 4 40 walk Overnight education 26/10/2018 Table View Brownies 10 2 12 programme Overnight education 27/10/2018 Table View Brownies 10 2 12 programme SANCCOB / Prestwich Street Guided birdwatching 30/10/2018 92 5 97 Primary walk 10/11/2018 1st Table View Cubs 12 3 15 MiniSASS badge work 16/11/2018 1st Milnerton Sea Scout Cubs 17 2 19 Planting at MRC 21/11/2018 West Coast Christian School 16 2 18 Bird watching / miniSASS East Primary / 26/11/2018 100 3 103 Bird watching / miniSASS SANCCOB CBC St Johns Parklands / 05/12/2018 30 3 33 Bird watching walk SANCCOB Guided walk bird 06/12/2018 SANCCOB / Eros LSEN School 14 1 15 watching TOTALS 361 30 391 TOTALS

Figure 62. Primary doing miniSASS and Figure 63. Rondebosch East Primary doing miniSASS and birdwatching. birdwatching.

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Figure 64. Table View cubs working on miniSASS badge. Figure 65. H2O – holiday programme (group from Atlantis organised by Recreation & Parks).

Figure 66. Cooling off in the water after a walk to the bird hides. Figure 67. Sidney Brown playing climate change bingo.

Figure 68. Table View Girl guides – overnight education programme. Figure 69. Joined SANCCOB group – Agape LSEN school.

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Figure 70. Prestwich Street Primary – students talking to the groups. Figure 71. Prestwich Street Primary – students talking to the groups.

Figure 72. West Coast Christian school – birdwatching & miniSASS. Figure 73. West Coast Christian school – birdwatching & miniSASS.

Figure 74. West Coast Christian School – birdwatching and miniSASS. Figure 75. Prestwich Street primary - birdwatching.

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9.3 Visitors and Income

9.3.1 Income from visitors at the Rietvlei Water Area was R45,905 from 2,221 recorded visitors during this quarter. The totals for the year were R142,322 from 7,087 visitors in 2018. Analysis of access control records collected from the Rietvlei main entrance gate since 2010 indicates that there is a seasonal trend in the number of visitors accessing Rietvlei. The highest number of visitors occurs from November to March (summer months) while the months April to October (the colder months) generally see much less visitors (see Figure 76 below).

1400

1200

Average monthly visitors 2010-2018 1000 Poly. (Average monthly visitors 2010-2018)

800

600

400

200

0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Figure 76. Seasonal trends in visitor use of the Rietvlei Water Area.

10 STAFF

10.1 Staff establishment

10.1.1 Four work-integrated learning students based at the Table Bay Nature Reserve passed the practical component of their various courses in 2018. Robyn Klein and Malikah Kassiem studied Nature Conservation while Mokgetwa Mamashela and John-Charles Goeiman studied Marine Science at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. In Figure 77 on the right there is, from left to right, Robyn Klein, Mokgetwa Mamashela, Malikah Kassiem and John-Charles Goeiman. These students were managed and mentored by various contract and permanent staff at the Nature Reserve. Figure 77. Work-integrated learning students of the Nature Reserve.

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10.1.2 Area Manager, Koos Retief, acted as stand-in North Regional Manager for Bongani Mnisi from 27- 28/12/2018.

10.1.3 Field Ranger Sakhile Luhani obtained a Professional Driver Permit (PrDP) on 01/11/2018.

10.1.4 The annual medical surveillance of all Nature Reserve staff was undertaken at the City’s Occupational Health Clinic in the Civic Centre on 26/11 and 04/12/2018.

10.1.5 Student John-Charles Goeiman and Learner Luke Linde obtained Council driver’s authorisation on 03/10/2018 after passing their driver’s medical examinations and driving assessments. They will now assist with driving the reserve’s operational vehicles until the end of June 2019.

10.1.6 A team of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers was recruited on 13/09/2018. They were employed from 01-12/10/2018. Their role was to assist the field rangers in various work activities within the Nature Reserve, including litter clean-ups, invasive plant control, data collection, and maintenance of infrastructure such fences and footpaths.

10.2 Training and development

10.2.1 Training of permanent and temporary staff at the Table Bay Nature Reserve amounted to no less than 20 person days over 16 training event days, including the following interventions:

Number of Number of Person Date(s) Course days x learners = days 22-26/10/2018 NQF 2 Learnership Camp (Betty’s Bay) 5 1 5 26/10/2018 SAP HR Personal Development Plan Training (Media City) 1 1 1 29/10-2/11/2018 NQF 2 Learnership Camp (Betty’s Bay) 5 1 5 06/11/2018 SAP HR Personal Development Plan Training (Media City) 1 3 3 23/11/2018 SAP HR Personal Development Plan Training (Media City) 1 1 1 29/11/2018 Wildfire Convention (Lourensford Estate) 1 1 1 30/11/2018 Fire-line Safety Training (Lourensford Estate) 1 1 1 5/12/2018 Biodiversity Management Tool & Database Training 1 3 3 TOTALS 16 N/A 20

11 LAW ENFORCEMENT

11.1 Two joint operations were conducted with the Law Enforcement Department to control illegal occupation and remove illegal structures in the Nature Reserve on 23/11 and 13/12/2018. Some of the Sections that are targeted by displaced people include the Diep River, Zoarvlei, Milnerton Lagoon and the Coastal Section. Transnet Freight Agency, assisted by Law Enforcement and Nature Reserve staff, removed a few illegal structures under the railway bridge (underneath the R27 at Lagoon Beach) but many structures remain. Several other overnight camping spots were removed in different parts of Zoarvlei, as well as the Diep River, Coastal Section and Milnerton Lagoon, with the assistance of Law Enforcement. All materials were disposed of at a landfill site (see Figures 78-82 below). Many of the people that live outside are struggling with substance abuse, evident from the myriad of drug paraphernalia, including needles, that is found at these sites. Many of these displaced people beg at the traffic intersections to sustain their habits.

The public are encouraged to help protect the Nature Reserve by reporting cases of illegal overnighting. Motorists are advised not to give money to people at traffic intersections as this practice does not help support re-integration into society, but it only enables them to continue living on the street.

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Figure 78. A site of illegal overnighting in the reserve. Figure 79. A site of illegal overnighting in the reserve.

Figure 80. Law Enforcement and SANRAL working together. Figure 81. Law Enforcement and reserve staff working together.

Figure 82. An illegal overnighting site in the R27 road reserve next to Rietvlei.

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11.2 Illegal plant harvesting in the Milnerton Racecourse was addressed by educating the groomsmen at the Milnerton Racecourse Stables on 11 and 12/10/2018, followed by various repeat visits in November. An isiXhosa-speaking field ranger Thozama Notshati assisting in building trust with the groomsmen and translating the message of conservation (see Figures 83-84 below). Most of the groomsmen were receptive to the talk and showed interested in learning about the Nature Reserve. Some of them were completely unaware of the status of the Nature Reserve. Few people however actually seem to be involved in this illegal plant harvesting. The purpose of this harvesting is apparently to gather edible materials as well items for traditional medicine, as well as for cultural and spiritual rites. For instance, some bulbs are boiled and ingested to induce vomiting in the belief that it will cleanse the body of illness. Also brooms made from certain plants are used to sweep evil spirits from buildings, while other plants are burned as incense. Nature Reserve staff intend on learning more about why these plants are being harvesting while persisting to teach the message of conservation.

Figure 83. Thozama Notshati teaching the groomsmen. Figure 84. Building relationships with the staff at the stables.

11.3 Various other illegal activities were also observed in the Nature Reserve during this quarter, including destruction of property to salvage scrap materials, illegal off-roading, dumping, vandalism, harvesting of water from the river, and fishing without the required permits (see Figures 85-85 below). Nature Reserve staff apprehend and prevent these activities by educating people as far as possible.

Figure 85. Destruction of property. Figure 86. Illegal off-roading.

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12 INFRASTRUCTURE & EQUIPMENT

12.1 An open access point at Zoarvlei was closed with wooden bollards. This was done to prevent illegal vehicle access that could lead to dumping and disturbance in the Nature Reserve. Paardeneiland City Improvement District (PECID) helped to fund the project by donating an amount of R6,704.04 to purchase 40 wooden bollards. The PECID environmental management team assisted Table Bay Nature Reserve staff to install the material (see Figures 87-89 below).

Figure 87. Digging holes. Figure 88. Planting the bollards.

Figure 89. Two teams working together. 12.2 A visitor bench was placed midway between the bird watchers’ parking area and the boardwalk. Members of the public requested a resting spot halway, since some people found it hard to walk all the way in one trip. The bench was placed in such a way that it also serves as a bird watching vantage point (see Figure 90 right). 12.3 A faulty sewage pump at the Brooklyn Chest Hospital had to be repaired by Water & Sanitation after it became blocked. Sewage spilled into the Nature Reserve at the corner of the hospital. 12.4 Stormwater outlets were cleared by the Roads & Stormwater Department to improve water flow and to prevent flooding of developed areas. Figure 90. Staff who inserted the visitor’s bench.

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12.5 Litter clean-ups were done in various Management Sections. Illegal dumping remains one of the biggest challenges in the Zoarvlei Section. Household waste, building rubble and garden refuse costs the City large amounts of money to remove from public spaces, which in turn is taken from rates and taxes. Disused tyres have also been dumped into Zoarvlei by truck drivers in the Paardeneiland Industrial area next to the reserve. Seven big truck tyres were removed from the Nature Reserve (see Figures 91-94 below).

Figure 91. Household waste in the Nature Reserve. Figure 92. Removal of illegal dumping.

Figure 93. Removal of dumped tyres. Figure 94. Household waste being thrown over a wall.

12.6 An old observation tower in the Milnerton Racecourse was removed on 21/12/2018. The tower was not manufactured to health and safety standards and had fallen into disrepair. It was removed in order to eliminate all disused and derelict infrastructure in the Nature Reserve.

Figure 95. Dismantling of an unsafe observation tower. Figure 96. Dismantling of an unsafe observation tower.

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APPENDIX A: MAP OF THE MANAGEMENT SECTIONS OF THE NATURE RESERVE

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APPENDIX B: ADDITIONAL PRESS ARTICLES THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THE NATURE RESERVE

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