DOCSLIB.ORG

Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club

Affiliated to the Federation of Southern African
Gem and Mineralogical Societies

  • June 2011
  • Pretoria Rockhound Digest

Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club P.O. Box 36 888 Menlo Park 0102
Clubhouse: No. 29, 26th Street, Menlo Park, Pretoria Tel. 012 – 460 1494 (only Sat. 11:00 – 15:00)

  • Chairman:
  • Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 6812

[email protected]

Treasurer: Dave de Villiers Secretary: Di de Villiers 082 562 8983
Vice-Chairman: Dieter Heinichen 012-991 5839

[email protected]

  • Editor :
  • Heidi Naudé, 072 923 2180

[email protected]

Programme Highlights for June 2011
*** Monthly Mineral Meeting – “Calcite” followed by Swop and Sell and Social

*** Fourways Gem & Mineral Show *** Lapidary Course (Sunday) *** Silversmithing Course
4 June

  • 5 June
  • still ongoing until

12 June 18 June

  • 25 June
  • *** Faceting Course

  • *** Club Outing: Vivo
  • 29 June – 3 July

A very warm welcome to the new members who joined recently:

Dieter Brunner and Lana Cruger

May your association with the Club be enjoyable, long and productive.

New member/s are invited for free boere-wors rolls on 4 June 2011 (afternoon)

to socialize and get to know the “old-hands”, i.e. existing members. All other members are very welcome to join this occasion on a bring-and-braai basis. Let’s welcome the newcomers and show them what we do at our club.

Page 2

PGMC Programme for June 2011:

(as 28.05.2011)

  • Date
  • Event
  • Time
  • Contact Details

  • 18:30 – 21:00
  • Bernard Strydom, 078 187 3267

Piet Reitz, 012 – 998 5452

2 June Silversmithing Workshop open

12:00 – 13:00 11:00 – 15:00

4 June Monthly Mineral Meeting – Calcite
Swop & Sell and Social

Lapidary & Silversmithing Workshops open

11:00 – 15:00

until The Fourways Mall Gem & Mineral Show
- 5 Jun

Fourways Mall

  • 18:30 – 21:00
  • Bernard Strydom, 078 187 3267

9 June Silversmithing Workshop open

14.00 – 16.00 11:00 – 13:30
Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 6812

11 June Committee Meeting

Note – Short Shift!

Lapidary & Silversmithing Workshops open

  • phone
  • Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 6812

Bernard Strydom, 078 187 3267 Bernard Strydom, 078 187 3267

12 June Special Lapidary Course – pre-booking essential

18:30 – 21:00

  • 16 June
  • Silversmithing Workshop open (please confirm with B.S.)

10:00 – 16.00 11:00 – 15:00

18 June Silversmithing Course – pre-booking essential

Lapidary Workshops open

  • 18:30 – 21:00
  • Bernard Strydom, 078 187 3267

23 June Silversmithing Workshop open

10:00 – 16.00 11:00 – 15:00

25 June Faceting Course

Philip Alp, 014-5743488 or
014-571 2143 or

Lapidary & Silversmithing Workshops open

079 952 4061

  • Wed.- Sunday
  • Linda Stone, 082 598 9117

weekdays only after 13.30, weekends all hours

29 June Club Outing: Vivo
- 3 July

Alexandrite - Birthstone of June (amongst others)

The Gemstone Alexandrite is the color changing variety of the mineral Chrysoberyl, its colour varies from red to green depending upon the light source. It is an alternate (modern) Zodiac stone for the constellation of Gemini. Alexandrite is associated with balance, confidence, and joy.

Alexandrite, named after the former czar Alexander II, was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia. Chromium gives alexandrite its colour and while, in most minerals, a trace element like chromium would provide only one color to the mineral, in alexandrite it gives it two! Colouring agents are dependent on the wavelength of light and the chemical bonds in the crystal to determine the colour that they will cause. An element like copper, in normal light, can cause a green colour in malachite and a blue colour in azurite, it all depends on the character of the chemical bonding. In a single specimen of alexandrite, the chromium is in such a balanced situation that the colour of the specimen depends on the character of light that hits the crystal. If the light is natural sunlight or fluorescent light, the crystal will be green; however, if the light is incandescent light from a common indoor light bulb,

Alexandrite viewed under different lights sources.

then the crystal will appear red.

(Source and photos: www.-galleries/minerals.com)

Page 3

1. Duty Roster – May/June 2011

  • June
  • 4
  • 11
  • 18
  • 25

Open – 11:00 am

Duty Team

  • Dieter
  • Nick
  • Bernard
  • Philip

Dieter Heinichen Karin Mayerl
Nick Pettit Tish Pettit
Stella-Marie Laredo
Jean Schutz
Andre Rossouw Gloria Schulenburg

  • Close – 15:00 pm
  • Dieter
  • Committee
  • Bernard
  • Philip

  • July
  • 2
  • 9
  • 16
  • 23
  • 30

Open – 11:00 am

Duty Team

  • Fay
  • Heidi
  • Linda
  • Will
  • Dieter

Nico Roux Fay Pierides
Felix Wulff Heidi Naudé
Wolf Windisch Linda Stone
Will v/d Berg Jean Snyman
Dieter Heinichen
Linda Stone

  • Close – 15:00 pm
  • Fay
  • Committee
  • Linda
  • Will
  • Dieter

Tea/Coffee will be served once; this is also applicable on course days. Fridge sales and workshop material sales will stop at 14:30 pm to allow for sufficient time to reconcile/close the cash box.

2. Membership Fees 2011

R 350 R 320 R 50
Principal Member
Pensioners (over 60’s) per additional Family Member

  • Joining Fee (new members only)
  • R 30

Payment can be made at the clubhouse on Saturdays or via bank transfer into the club’s bank account at ABSA Bank, branch code 335 345, account no. 405 584 9839. Please put your name or membership number as reference to ensure the correct allocation of your payment.

3. Personals

Get Well Wishes go to Horst Windisch who had to endure another hip replacement and will be

absent from the various mineral activities for a few weeks. We wish you a speedy recovery Horst, and hope to see you soon again at the clubhouse.

Get Well Wishes are also extended to Hettie Grové, who is also recovering well from her recent sickness.

4. Reminder: “Out of the Box” Exhibits at the Museum of the Council for Geoscience

May 2011 June 2011

Piet Reitz – …….. Dieter Brandt - ……

Members are invited to book their exhibits for the remaining months (July – November) and share some of their “hidden” specimens with fellow collectors and the public. If you wish to view these temporary “OUT OF THE BOX” exhibits, the four show cases are situated in the South-Western corner of the main exhibition hall of the Museum of Geoscience. For more queries or to book your own exhibit please contact Anke Raath (Tel. 012 – 322 7122).

Page 4

1. Monthly Mineral Meeting, 04.06.2011

The next Mineral Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, 04.06.2011 at 12.00 at the clubhouse. We will discuss the mineral Calcite. This is a fairly common mineral, but has over 3 000 shapes and lots of coulour variety. Please show us your unusual and priced specimens at this meeting.

 

2. The Fourways Mall – Gem and Mineral Show, still ongoing until 05.06.2011

This Gem and Mineral Show has been relocated from previously the Cresta Shopping Centre in Randburg to the new venue of the Fourways Mall in Fourways, Midrand. African Gems and Minerals (Rob Smith) and various other dealers offer their goods (minerals, gemstones, jewellery, arte facts etc., etc. for sale and it promised to be bigger and better than ever.

 

3. Lapidary, Silversmithing, Facetting Courses – June 2011

Please remember to pre-book your places for the above courses as demand is quite high and only a certain amount of people can be accommodated at a time. For dates and contact details of the various events and their organizers/instructors please refer to page 2 of this newsletter.

Page 5

4. Club Outing to VIVO, 29th June to 3rd July 2011

Following the initial announcement in the previous newsletter, below some additional updates: Permission has now been granted to visit the following sites:
--
Marble (apricot colour) and Chalcedony An old lead mine – Cerrusite Crystals, Platinum Quartz (white quartz with silver needles).

All these sites are new sites and have never been visited. Other sites are still being negotiated. David Minster will bring along an 18 megapixel DSLR camera with a macro lens, which will be able to print A3 pictures directly. If anyone finds something really nice David can photograph it, either as a “trophy shot” or as a specimen picture. He can also photograph any other stuff which might be found, depending on the time (e.g. daylight).

Since we are visiting an old diamond mine next to Mapungubwe, we will also pay a visit to this internationally renowned heritage site (entrance fee = R 20/person).

On Sunday we will visit the Blouberg Nature Reserve, which is relatively obscure as it lies in the midst of rural villages and farming communities at the eastern foothills of the Blouberg Mountains. The plains below the dry bushveld savannah are interspersed with gigantic Baobab and Mashata trees, which are home to a variety of antelope, zebra and giraffe.

The Blouberg Nature Reserve has a bird list of well over 225 species which include the rare melanistic Gabon goshawk, Verreau’s eagle-owl, brown snake eagle and many more. Visitors can also admire the world’s largest breeding colony of Cape vultures. There is a vulture restaurant with bird hides and a view of the scenic beauty of the Blouberg Krans. The entrance fee is R 30 per vehicle and R 20 per person.

The closing date for the pre-booked accommodation as well as the deposit is Tuesday, 31st May 2011. However, late enquiries for accommodation are welcome and must be made directly with Lettie Froneman at Bergpan Eco Resort, tel. 015 – 593 0127 or 082 211 3213. Once arrangements are confirmed with her please let me also know that I can update the attendance list accordingly.

For more details/directions please refer back to our May Newsletter (www.pgmc.co.za). See you all at Bergpan !

Linda Stone (tel. 082 598 9117 w-days after 13.30, w-ends all hours)

5. Open Day, African Gems & Minerals (Rob Smith) – 3rd July 2011

The latest date received regarding this event is as follows: Sunday, 3rd July 2011 at the premises of Rob Smith in Ostend Rd., Klipoortjie, Germiston. We will however reconfirm and advise more details with the next newsletter.

  • The Groot Marico Experience – by Linda Stone
  • Part 1

Our annual Marico bushveld rockhunt and cultural experience took place from 19th to 21st March 2011. Once again we made out “headquarters” at the farm of Hannes Palm, whose hospitality was augmented this year by Carlo Heinz’s guitar music and song – what a beautiful combination!

Our first morning excursion was to Lichtenburg during a terrific thunderstorm, to the home of Johan & Charlotte Strumper. We were royally treated to milk tart, chocolate cake, cheese cake and tea and coffee. Johan is a mineral collector and showed us his beautiful self-tumbled carnelians and agates from the Bakerville area, where he was a diamond digger some time ago.

In his store he has garnets, blue/yellow tiger’s eye, vogesite, carnelians, hydrogrossular garnet, buddstone and green quartz. We were allowed to select from the available materials, some of which was already cut into slices.

Page 6

Johan exchanged ideas and experiences regarding cutting and polishing methods, which were enjoyed by all. Thereafter he took us into the veld to search for fluorite, which was found in this area a couple of years ago. Unfortunately no fluorite could be located but some specimens of Galena (in the cave) and Magnetite were found.

Our next stop was to “Slate Classics” a beautiful slate showroom owned by Mauritius Claase. Displays included beautiful tiles, furniture, lamps, paintings and other curio items all made of the slate quarried on his on farm. During a short “pit-stop” for a delicious lunch at the next-door coffee shop, owned by his wife Henriette, we were treated to some more life entertainment by Carlo and his guitar; even Mauritius could not resist and joined with his guitar.

Due to email size restrictions we have to continue part 2 of this report in our next newsletter.

Recommended publications
  • Chapter 4 Major Vegetation Types of the Soutpansberg Conservancy and the Blouberg Nature Reserve

    Chapter 4 Major Vegetation Types of the Soutpansberg Conservancy and the Blouberg Nature Reserve

    Chapter 4 Major Vegetation Types of the Soutpansberg Conservancy and the Blouberg Nature Reserve (Research paper submitted for publication in Koedoe) 25 Major Vegetation Types of the Soutpansberg Conservancy and the Blouberg Nature Reserve T.H.C. Mostert1, G.J. Bredenkamp1, H.L. Klopper1, C. Verwey1, R.E. Mostert2 and N. Hahn3 1. African Vegetation and Plant Diversity Research Centre, Department of Botany, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002. 2. South African Biodiversity Institute, Private Bag X101, Pretoria, 0001. 3. Herbarium Soutpansbergensis, P.O. Box 1734, Makhado, 0920. Abstract The Major Vegetation Types and plant communities of the Soutpansberg Centre of Endemism are described in detail with special reference to the Soutpansberg Conservancy and the Blouberg Nature Reserve. Phytosociological data from 466 sample plots were ordinated using a Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DECORANA) and classified using Two–way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN). The resulting classification was further refined with table–sorting procedures based on the Braun–Blanquet floristic–sociological approach of vegetation classification using MEGATAB. Eight Major Vegetation Types were identified and described as Eragrostis lehmanniana var. lehmanniana–Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra BNR Northern Plains Bushveld, Euclea divinorum–Acacia tortilis BNR Southern Plains Bushveld, Englerophytum magalismontanum–Combretum molle BNR Mountain Bushveld, Adansonia digitata–Acacia nigrescens Soutpansberg Arid Northern Bushveld, Catha edulis–Flueggia virosa Soutpansberg Moist Mountain Thickets, Diplorhynchus condylocarpon–Burkea africana Soutpansberg Leached Sandveld, Rhus rigida var. rigida–Rhus magalismontanum subsp. coddii Soutpansberg Mistbelt Vegetation and Xymalos monospora–Rhus chirendensis Soutpansberg Forest Vegetation. 26 Introduction The Soutpansberg Conservancy (SC) and the Blouberg Nature Reserve (BNR) reveal extremely rich diversities of plant communities relative to the sizes of these conservation areas (Van Wyk & Smith 2001).
  • Vision 2024 Wildlife Based Land Reform & Enterprise Dev Support Ngcali Nomtshongwana

    Vision 2024 Wildlife Based Land Reform & Enterprise Dev Support Ngcali Nomtshongwana

    VISION 2024 Wildlife Based Land Reform and Enterprise Development Support Programme Stewardship Programme February 2015 Coconut Approach unlocking the socio-economic value of land reform and communal land Tragedy of the commons IMPROVED LAND VALUE, No EQUITY and WEALTH access to ENTREPRENEURSHIP, markets JOBS and BENEFITS CRITICAL SKILLS DEV, MANAGEMENT CONTROL Lack of financial resources Inequality VISION 2024 World Parks Congress 2014, Sydney • Concerned about the 9 billions of people living in abject poverty; • Mainstreamed the importance of PAs in contributing to rural development, and the dual role of PAs in conservation and poverty alleviation; • Called for the involvement of local people as right shareholders in PAs and as equitable stakeholders in decisions, management and sharing benefits from Pas; • Called for youth participation and empowerment; • Committed the international conservation community to an agenda for PAs that do not just upholds the rights of communities affected by conservation initiatives but ensures shareholding; Vision 2024 “rapid socio-economic transformation and growth of wildlife economy while ensuring the entry and ascendance of the emerging game farmers into the mainstream of the South African economy.” Strategic Objective • Specifically the objectives of Vision 2024 is to ensure: – Empowerment of community land owners and beneficiaries through Fair Access and Equitable Sharing of benefits arising from wildlife economy. – Expansion of conservation areas through incorporation of community unproductive land and game reserves with a view to stimulating sustainable local economic growth and conservation. – Development and Restoration of the degraded environment and improvement of infrastructure and land use for community benefit and advancement. – Broadening and meaningful participation of youth and women in the mainstream wildlife economy through shareholding, skill training and entrepreneurship.
  • Appendix E1 Ekland Safaris S24G Ecological Report.Pdf

    Appendix E1 Ekland Safaris S24G Ecological Report.Pdf

    SPECIALIST REPORT Ecological Assessment: The clearance of indigenous vegetation for the construction of tourism facilities on the farm Qualipan 655KT to the north of Louis Trichardt, Limpopo Province Author Danie van der Walt (M.Sc. Biol) February 2019 CELL 072 623 1845 [email protected] P.O. BOX 2980 White River 1240 Specialist Environmental & Biodiversity Assessments Biodiversity and Habitat Report Specialist declaration I, Danie van der Walt, declare that - • I act as an independent specialist in this application; • I have performed the work relating to the application in an objective manner, even if this results in views and findings that are not favourable to the applicant; • I declare that there are no circumstances that may compromise my objectivity; • I have expertise in conducting the specialist report relevant to this application, regulations and any guidelines that have relevance to the proposed activity; • I will comply with the relevant environmental legislation, regulations and all other applicable legislation; • I have no, and will not engage in, conflicting interests in this project; • I undertake to disclose to the applicant and the authorities all material information in my possession that reasonably has or may have the potential of influencing - any decision to be taken with respect to the application by the competent authority; and - the objectivity of any report, plan or document to be prepared by myself for submission to the competent authority; • All the particulars furnished by me in this report are true and correct. L.D. VAN DER WALT Date: 2019-02-04 Afrika Enviro & Biology 2 Biodiversity and Habitat Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The applicant has cleared approximately 3000m² of indigenous vegetation for the construction of a tourist facility without environmental authoirization.
  • Neoromicia Zuluensis – Zulu Pipistrelle Bat

    Neoromicia Zuluensis – Zulu Pipistrelle Bat

    Neoromicia zuluensis – Zulu Pipistrelle Bat recommends that zuluensis is specifically distinct from somalicus (Rautenbach et al. 1993). Assessment Rationale Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution (estimated extent of occurrence within the assessment region is 246,518 km²), presumed large population, and because there are no major identified threats that could cause widespread population decline. It occurs in many protected areas across its range and appears to have a degree of tolerance for human modified habitats. Savannah woodlands are generally well protected in the assessment region. However, more research is needed into the roosting behaviour of this species to identify key roost sites and monitor subpopulation trends. Regional population effects: Its range is continuous with Zimbabwe and Mozambique through transfrontier parks, Trevor Morgan and thus dispersal is assumed to be occurring. However, it has relatively low wing loading (Norberg & Rayner 1987; Schoeman & Jacobs 2008), so significant rescue effects Regional Red List status (2016) Least Concern are uncertain. National Red List status (2004) Least Concern Reasons for change No change Distribution Global Red List status (2016) Least Concern This species is widespread in East and southern Africa. The eastern distribution ranges from Ethiopia and South TOPS listing (NEMBA) (2007) None Sudan to Uganda and Kenya (Happold et al. 2013). The CITES listing None southern range extends from Zambia and the southern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to eastern Endemic No South Africa, and from eastern Angola to central Zambia, Zimbabwe, northern Botswana and northeastern Namibia The Zulu Pipistrelle Bat is also commonly known (Monadjem et al.
  • Private Game Reserves and State Reserves

    Private Game Reserves and State Reserves

    PRIVATEGAMERESERVESANDSTATERESERVES 59 PRIVATEGAMERESERVESANDSTATERESERVES P. Knott,*H. Knott*,J. Kruger**C.vanderWaal*** *Greater Kuduland Safaris ***Mara Resaerch Station Sourcesofinformation • Plaas Marius and Conservancy, 5000 ha: plains gameandLeopard. The information on game ranching in the study area is Lesheba Ranch, not sure about size: plains game and scant. Limpopo Province’s Department of Finance and • Rhino. Environmental Affairs have a database of game ranches with exemption permits. This database is not complete. • Goro Ranch,7000ha:plainsgame. 17 of the more prominent ranches and reserves in the • Bergtop Ranch,4000ha:plainsgameandRhino. study area cover an area in excess of 150 000 ha. Com- pared to provincial statistics for 1998, 26% of the surface • Western Soutpansberg Conservancy, 90000 ha, area of the province was game fenced by that time. It has plainsgameandLeopard. been estimated that more than 80% of former cattle farms • Blouberg NatureReserve,8000ha:plainsgame. have been converted to game ranches in the area north of the Soutpansberg Mountain. Obviously the database is • Maleboch NatureReserve,5000ha:plainsgame. not complete and needs updating. Game resources are utilised in different ways. These in- Summarystatistics clude hunting, live capture, intensive breeding and non-consumptive eco-tourism activities (photo safaris, Large mammals commonly found on game ranches in the etc.). area include: kudu, impala, blue wildebeest, zebra, gi- raffe, warthog, gemsbuck, eland, leopard, brown hyena Majorstudiesandpublications and bushpig. Species that have been re-introduced in- clude: sable, roan, buffalo, elephant, nyala, waterbuck, DU TOIT, J. T. 1995. Determinants of the composition white rhino and lion. and distribution of wildlife communities in Southern Africa. Ambio 24(1):2–6.
  • Provincial Gazette· Provinsiale Koerant· Gazete Ya Xitundzankulu Kuranta Ya Protense • Gazethe Ya Vundu

    Provincial Gazette· Provinsiale Koerant· Gazete Ya Xitundzankulu Kuranta Ya Protense • Gazethe Ya Vundu

    LIMPOPO PROVINCE LIMPOPO PROVINSIE XIFUNDZANKULU XA LIMPOPO PROFENSE YA LIMPOPO VUNDU LA LIMPOPO IPHROVINSI YELIMPOPO Provincial Gazette· Provinsiale Koerant· Gazete ya Xitundzankulu Kuranta ya Protense • Gazethe ya Vundu (Registered as a newspaper) • (As 'n nuusblad geregistreer) • (Yi rhijistariwile tanihi Nyuziphepha) (E ngwadisits-we bjalo ka Kuranta) • (Yo redzhistariwa sa Nyusiphepha) POLOKWANE, Vol: 28 26 MARCH 2021 No: 3149 26 MAART 2021 2 No. 3149 PROVINCIAL GAZETTE, 26 MARCH 2021 Contents Gazette Page No. No. No. GENERAL NOTICES • ALGEMENE KENNISGEWINGS 18 Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-law, 2016: Portion 1 of the Farm Voorspoed No. 458 KS ....................................................................................................................................... 3149 3 19 Mogalakwena Local Municipality SPLUM By-law, 2016: Erf 1287 of Piet Potgietersrust Extension 1 ............... 3149 4 19 Mogalakwena Plaaslike Munisipaliteit SPLUM By-wet, 2016: Erf 1287 van Piet Potgietersrust Uitbreiding 1 ... 3149 4 20 Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality: Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-laws, 2019: Portion 10 of the farm Knopfontein 184-KR ........................................................................................................ 3149 5 20 Modimolle-Mookgophong Plaaslike Munisipaliteit: Regulasies vir Ruimtelike Beplanning en Grondgebruikbestuur, 2019: Gedeelte 10 van die plaas Knopfontein 184-KR ................................................... 3149 5 21
  • Evolutionary Genetics of CYP2J19 in Red Carotenoid Pigmentation

    Evolutionary Genetics of CYP2J19 in Red Carotenoid Pigmentation

    Evolutionary genetics of CYP2J19 in red carotenoid pigmentation Hanlu Twyman Peterhouse September 2017 This dissertation is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 1 Evolutionary genetics of CYP2J19 in red carotenoid pigmentation Hanlu Twyman Carotenoids are responsible for much of the bright yellow to red colours in animals and have been extensively studied as condition dependent signals in sexual selection. In addition to their function in coloration, carotenoids also play a crucial role in colour vision within certain lineages. Despite this, little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying carotenoid based pigmentation. Recently, the gene CYP2J19 was strongly implicated in red ketocarotenoid pigmentation for coloration and colour vision within two lineages of song birds (the zebra finch and the red factor canary). Here, I extend the investigation of the function of CYP2J19 in colour vision and red coloration amongst reptiles. I suggest that the original function of CYP2J19 was in colour vision and that it has been independently co-opted for red coloration within certain red lineages. Using a combination of phylogenetic and expression analysis, I study the role of CYP2J19 as the avian ketolase involved in red ketocarotenoid generation within a clade of well-studied seed-eating passerines, the weaverbirds, and demonstrate a direct association between levels of CYP2J19 expression and red ketocarotenoid-based coloration. Next, I consider the evolution of CYP2J19 across multiple avian lineages. I find evidence for positive selection acting on the gene coding sequence despite its conserved function in colour vision. This finding, though surprising, appears to be common across avian CYP loci in general.
  • Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas of South Africa

    Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas of South Africa

    IMPORTANT BIRD AND BIODIVERSITY AREAS of South Africa INTRODUCTION 101 Recommended citation: Marnewick MD, Retief EF, Theron NT, Wright DR, Anderson TA. 2015. Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas of South Africa. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa. First published 1998 Second edition 2015 BirdLife South Africa’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas Programme acknowledges the huge contribution that the first IBA directory (1998) made to this revision of the South African IBA network. The editor and co-author Keith Barnes and the co-authors of the various chapters – David Johnson, Rick Nuttall, Warwick Tarboton, Barry Taylor, Brian Colahan and Mark Anderson – are acknowledged for their work in laying the foundation for this revision. The Animal Demography Unit is also acknowledged for championing the publication of the monumental first edition. Copyright: © 2015 BirdLife South Africa The intellectual property rights of this publication belong to BirdLife South Africa. All rights reserved. BirdLife South Africa is a registered non-profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO) that works to conserve wild birds, their habitats and wider biodiversity in South Africa, through research, monitoring, lobbying, conservation and awareness-raising actions. It was formed in 1996 when the IMPORTANT South African Ornithological Society became a country partner of BirdLife International. BirdLife South Africa is the national Partner of BirdLife BIRD AND International, a global Partnership of nature conservation organisations working in more than 100 countries worldwide. BirdLife South Africa, Private Bag X5000, Parklands, 2121, South Africa BIODIVERSITY Website: www.birdlife.org.za • E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +27 11 789 1122 • Fax: +27 11 789 5188 AREAS Publisher: BirdLife South Africa Texts: Daniel Marnewick, Ernst Retief, Nicholas Theron, Dale Wright and Tania Anderson of South Africa Mapping: Ernst Retief and Bryony van Wyk Copy editing: Leni Martin Design: Bryony van Wyk Print management: Loveprint (Pty) Ltd Mitsui & Co.
  • 2017 0910 the Lark Issue 13

    2017 0910 the Lark Issue 13

    The Lark Issue 13, September/October 2017 In this issue Editors’ chirps 2 NEWS The Large Brown Jobs (Raptor) course Rahul van Manen 3 Birdlife Polokwane outing to the Mockford Vulture Richter van Tonder Restaurant - 8 July 2017 4 Birding Botswana Mark and Julia Friskin 6 Birding in Blouberg - and the origin of the name Daniel Engelbrecht ‘Helmetshrike’ 8 Morning outing to Steendal Farm - 12 August 2017 Derek Engelbrecht 11 A new-found joy - birding outing to Kurisa Moya Peter Mokumo 13 BIRD OF THE MONTH Hooded Vulture 15 REGULARS Bird briefs Is this a Rüppel’s Vulture x Cape Vulture hybrid?; An influx of African Skimmers into 16-23 the Limpopo Province; Common Whimbrel in the Limpopo Province; Summer migrant arrivals: July-August 2017 Something old, something new … 23 Important environmental dates 27 Upcoming events 27 Birdlife Polokwane Committee members 28 Editor’s chirps Welcome to our Spring Issue of The Lark. It is great to see that our members have kept busy – birding both locally and in our neighbouring countries. Mark and Julia’s trip to Botswana sounds amazing and is enough to whet anyone’s appetite! One is reminded of the fantastic places we can visit in our own province, that are literally on our doorstep, and the wonderful birding opportunities that exist here. Happy Birding Daniel and Raelene The opinions expressed by contributors in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the editors or the committee of Birdlife Polokwane. Cover page: Bennett’s Woodpecker, Kruger National Park (April 2017) © Annaliese Pretorius 2 The Lark 13, September/October 2017 NEWS The Large Brown Jobs (Raptor) course Rahul van Manen On a chilly Saturday morning, good for a movie in bed, 18 raptorphiles and I went to the ‘Ons Tuiste’ hall to attend an LBJ course presented by Joe Grosel.
  • A Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve Based on a Revision of Zonation

    A Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve Based on a Revision of Zonation

    A BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION STRATEGY FOR THE VHEMBE BIOSPHERE RESERVE BASED ON A REVISION OF ZONATION Compiled by the Conservation Task Team of the VBR September 2018 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 BACKGROUND 1.1 Status quo…………………………………………………………………. 3 1.2 Proposals in the Strategic Environmental Management Guidelines (SEMP)…………………………................................... 4 2 A BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION PLAN FOR THE VBR BASED ON REZONING OF THE CORE, BUFFER AND TRANSITIONAL ZONES. 2.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………… 5 2.2 Vegetation types and their conservation………………...... 6 2.3 A summary of the conservation status and targets of vegetation types …………………………………………………..... 13 2.4 Proposed conservation expansion to reach the targets for vegetation types …………………………………………………... 15 2.4.1 Stewardship Programme ……………………………………………….... 16 2.4.2 The Blouberg- Makgabeng Communal area ……………………. ..17 2.4.3 The eastern Soutpansberg ……………………………………………….. 18 2.5 Consolidation of the proposed expansion areas into a single core conservation area ………………………………… 22 2.6. A proposed new transitional zone 2.7 Buffers ………………………………………………………………………. 23 2.8 Species conservation 2.8.1 Plants ……………………………………………………………………………….. 23 2.8.2 Mammals (excluding bats) ……………………………………………….. 29 2.8.3 Bats ………………………………………………………………………………….. 36 2.8.4 Birds ………………………………………………………………………………… 36 2.8.5 Reptiles ……………………………………………………………………………. 37 2.8.6 Amphibians .......................................................................................... 39 2.8.7 Butterflies ............................................................................................
  • Newsletter of Birdlife Polokwane and Is Published Bimonth- Ly

    Newsletter of Birdlife Polokwane and Is Published Bimonth- Ly

    THE Issue 22 LARKMarch/April 2019 N EWSLETTER OF B IRDLIFE P OLOKWA N E Affiliated to Birdlife South Africa The Lark is the newsletter of Birdlife Polokwane and is published bimonth- ly. It publishes reports of club activi- ties, trip reports, photographic contri- Contents butions and any natural history notes REGULARS of birds or events involving birds. Contributions are accepted in English or Afrikaans and are accepted at the White-necked Picathartes discretion of the editors. Non-mem- Dear Mankind bers are also welcome to contribute, especially if it is of relevance to birds or birding in the Limpopo Province. 63 Bird briefs When submitting images, please sub- Coucal trichoptiles • Geoph- agy by African Olive Pigeon mit high resolution images without and Cape Canary • Eerste any borders or frames. Kalkoenibis nes in die Limpo- po Provinsie in meer as 30 jaar! • Observations on the Eastern The editors reserve the right to edit Nicator • Collateral damage articles as necessary. All images are in someone else’s war: the in- triguing story of three gassed copyright protected and the proper- Spike-heeled Larks • Thicket ty of the author/s of the article un- birds • Nightjar identification: less otherwise stated. Please send all Fiery-necked Nightjar • A bird in the hand • Birds of a differ- your contributions to the editors at ent feather also sometimes [email protected]. flock together The opinions expressed by contribu- tors in this newsletter are not neces- 95 Interesting sightings 16 December 2018 - 15 February 2019 sarily those of the editors, the Birdlife Polokwane committee or Birdlife South Africa.
  • Blood and Bone Lead Levels in South Africa's Gyps Vultures: Risk to Nest-Bound Chicks and Comparison with Other Avian Taxa

    Blood and Bone Lead Levels in South Africa's Gyps Vultures: Risk to Nest-Bound Chicks and Comparison with Other Avian Taxa

    Science of the Total Environment 669 (2019) 471–480 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Science of the Total Environment journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/scitotenv Blood and bone lead levels in South Africa's Gyps vultures: Risk to nest-bound chicks and comparison with other avian taxa Linda van den Heever a,b,⁎, Hanneline Smit-Robinson a,c,d,VinnyNaidooe, Andrew E. McKechnie b,f a Terrestrial Bird Conservation Programme, BirdLife South Africa, Private Bag X16, Pinegowrie, Johannesburg 2123, South Africa b DST-NRF Centre of Excellence at the FitzPatrick Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa c Applied Behavioural Ecological & Ecosystem Research Unit (ABEERU), UNISA, P O Box 392, UNISA 0003, Florida, South Africa d School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa e Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa f National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, P O Box 754, Pretoria 0001, South Africa HIGHLIGHTS GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT • Lead can impair chick development and enhance vulnerability to anthropogenic threats. • Asignificant proportion of evaluated Gyps vultures (including chicks) were exposed to lead. • In comparison non-scavenging birds did not display elevated lead concentra- tions. • Nest-bound chicks likely received me- tallic lead fragments from their parents during feeding. • Hunters are urged to switch to non‑lead alternatives. article info abstract Article history: Poisoning, including secondary lead poisoning, is cited as the single most important cause of vulture mortalities Received 29 January 2019 in Africa.