ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT & SPATIAL PLANNING ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT BRANCH Asieff Khan, Erica Essig, Mogamat Samsodien, Victoria Day, Bronwen Amayo, Shihabuddeen Khan and Tamaryn Khan (editing) Biodiversity Area: False Bay Nature Reserve Tel no: 021 396 4283 Email: [email protected] Temminck’s stint (Photo: C. Dorse 2016) Table of Contents Page 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................................................... 2 2. HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES .............................................................................................................................................. 2 3. CONSERVATION PLANNING ............................................................................................................................................. 3 4. FLORA .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 5. FAUNA ................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 6. SOIL ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 7. WATER ................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 8. FIRE ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 9. PEOPLE, TOURISM & EDUCATION ...................................................................................................................................... 22 10. STAFF MATTERS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25 11. LAW ENFORCEMENT ........................................................................................................................................................... 26 12. INFRASTRUCTURE & EQUIPMENT ........................................................................................................................................ 29 False Bay Nature Reserve | False Bay -natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo False Bay 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY “Birds of a feather flock together” - how true that is for this quarter, as the Strandfontein Section was visited by a host of wader species such as little stint (Calidris minuta), common greenshank (Tringa nebularia), marsh sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis), curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola). Amongst these, four other birds have been causing quite a stir in the bird-watching community, becoming like local celebrities. One of these is the Temminck’s stint (Calidris temmincki). This species occurs in the far north and does not usually come further south than Kenya or Tanzania. This sighting is only the third time this species has been seen in Southern Africa with the last sighting being recorded some 25 years ago. For almost every quarter this year, a new species has been recorded for False Bay Nature Reserve. This quarter was no exception, with a juvenile European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) being spotted by a long-time visitor and enthusiastic bird photographer, Mr Daud Sheard. The species has been added to the Reserve’s species list. The water quality of the Zeekoevlei water body has dramatically improved over the last year, noted as being “the best I have ever seen it” by the Area Manager of False Bay Nature Reserve, Asieff Khan. The vlei has been in a clear water phase for the last five months. Such an event was last recorded in 2010 and only lasted for seven days. On a more concerning note, water hyacinth was recorded in the Zeekoevlei Section in April 2016 after about six years since the last recorded sighting in 2010. A small patch of water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) was found at the mouth of the Big Lotus River. The source of the infestation is unknown, but immediate efforts were put into place to remove the water hyacinth plants before they could re-infest the main wetland. The Reserve Supervisor of the Strandfontein and Pelican Park sections will be leaving False Bay Nature Reserve and the City of Cape Town at the end of December 2016. Ms Essig has accepted a job offer in the L’Agulhas Plain as Conservation Manager of the Nuwejaars Special Management Area. The staff of False Bay Nature Reserve wishes her all the best in her new position. Ms Essig has been based at False Bay Nature Reserve for four years and six months. She will be missed by all. In June 2016 the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) at False Bay Nature Reserve came to an end. This meant a loss of 37 worker posts from the Reserve. The picnic area of the eastern shore of Zeekoevlei is a popular spot and is visited by many local residents. It is important to keep this area well-maintained as it provides a much-needed recreational space. Operational budget was received from the Environmental Resource Management Department of the City of Cape Town. This has allowed for the employment of an eight-person team over five months. The team works on two shifts and covers weekends as well as public holidays. The contract will run until 7 May 2017. 2. HIGHLIGHTS & CHALLENGES Highlights: First record for False Bay Nature Reserve of European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) Temminck’s stint (Calidris temmincki) (featured on the cover page) (, American golden plover (Pluvialis dominica), red-neck phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) and pectoral sandpiper (Calidris melanotus) are several rare birds seen at Strandfontein Section of False Bay Nature Reserve Funding received for an eight-person EPWP worker team at False Bay Nature Reserve Challenges: Vandalism and theft of infrastructure Lack of work-force to carry out required maintenance and conservation duties 2 City of Cape Town Quarterly Report – 1 October to 31 December 2016 False Bay Nature Reserve | False Bay -natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo False Bay Loss of institutional knowledge with two senior reserve supervisors leaving in this quarter Strandfontein Road upgrades threatening habitat of the critically endangered butterfly Barber’s ranger (Kedestes barberae bunta) 3. CONSERVATION PLANNING In an effort to streamline the functioning of the Protected Area Advisory Committee (PAAC), all the required meetings for 2017 have been scheduled in advance, with the first meeting set for the first week of February 2017. Similarly, four quarterly branch meetings for the City of Cape Town Biodiversity Management Branch have been scheduled, as well as six regional meetings for the South district (under which the Reserve falls) and monthly meetings for the reserve supervisors of False Bay Nature Reserve are being finalised. The annual plan of operation (APO) for the Reserve is due in July 2017, with a Protected Area Review (PA review) to be conducted thereafter in August 2017. 4. FLORA Flora – Invasive Flora Management Aquatic Invasive Flora Management False Bay Nature Reserve Water Hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) Monitoring and Control at Strandfontein Section Water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) has been called the world’s worst water weed. It is a fast growing plant, forming dense mats that quickly cover the water’s surface. This results in increased siltation, water loss and reduced biodiversity. Dense infestations also reduce or alter the flow of water, often resulting in flooding and damage to infrastructure during the rainy season (Cape Town invasive website, 2015). Water hyacinth reproduces by means of seed, but can also utilise vegetative reproduction (i.e. producing side shoots which can break off and develop into new plants). In warm temperatures during the summer months, vegetative reproduction is increased, and if left unattended, actively growing colonies can double their abundance in less than 15 days. That is why it is so important to carefully monitor previously infected sites. The monitoring protocol at Strandfontein Section includes three different patrols which are carried out either weekly or monthly. These patrols remove any regrowth, or emerging plants from the water bodies to prevent re- infestation. Mr Thembani Namba and Tayla Hadwen removing water hyacinth from a pan in Strandfontein (S1) (Photo: E. Essig 2016) This quarter, a total of 1010 pieces of water hyacinth were removed from the Strandfontein water bodies. Water hyacinth was found in the pans referred to as S1, S2, S7, M2 and CF Pan. 3 City of Cape Town Quarterly Report – 1 October to 31 December 2016 False Bay Nature Reserve | False Bay -natuurreservaat | ULondolozo lweNdalo False Bay A huge concern is the water hyacinth which has been found in M2 and S7. Smaller outbreaks were found in each pan. These pans previously had infestations within the last year and the pans are monitored on a weekly basis. The teams have yet to be given the go ahead for clearing, due to a lack of resources for efficient removal. It is a major priority to clear these as soon as resources are available. Water Hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) Monitoring and Control at Zeekoevlei