City Nature Challenge 2022: Southern Overberg's Journal

Journal archives for April 2022

April 18, 2022

Plans for our CNC events are taking shape

We are getting excited when we see the plans for our CNC events coming together. But we still need your help with a few things.

We want people to enjoy our events as opportunities to be out in nature, and also to experience and learn more about the species they see there by making observations using the iNaturalist phone App or iNaturalist.org. We want more people to get enthusiastic about our wild flowers so that they may also become members of our Southern Overberg CREW (Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wild Flowers) group.

Our events are carefully planned around our limited capacity. To avoid disappointment please RSVP by Wednesday 27 April.

AGULHAS NATIONAL PARK has waived their conservation fee to all who take part in our CNC events inside their Park:

On 29 April – Our first event inside Agulhas NP is at Rietfontein. Sharndré Heuvel from Western Cape CREW, Emma de Kock (ANP) and Charleen Brunke will meet and direct us. The meeting point is at 9h00 at the green water tanks on the road from Uintjieskuil. (From the Elim-Struisbaai road, take Wolvengat rd (R317), turn left at Gansbaai/Die Dam sign, after 500m left to Uintjieskuil rd and onto Rietfontein) RSVP dekockemma@gmail.com
On 30 April – Our second event inside Agulhas NP is a moderate 10 km walk at Soetanysberg in stunning fynbos and with great views over the ocean. This is a must do and not to be missed! We need botanists and experts on the vast Protea and Erica families, so well represented here, to join us. We are fascinated by the rock that informs our fynbos today, so please contact and join us if you’re an expert on the local geology. Anybody that can add synergy, please join us. Your contacts are Charleen Brunke and Emma de Kock (ANP). We meet at 9h00 at the end of Bergplaas road, at ANP Bergplaas house. (From Bredasdorp on R43 for 20km. Turn left onto Elim-Struisbaai rd. Continue 6km and turn right onto Bergplaas rd. Continue to end of Bergplaas road) RSVP charleenbrunke@outlook.com

MORE EVENTS:

On 29 April – We are at Elim Geelkop Nature Reserve. Rebecca Dames and Carl Richter will meet and direct us where to go and what species we may find there. The meeting point is at Maakit Mooi Coffee Shop in Elim at 8:30am.

On 1 May – This event is only open to CREW members. We meet at De Mond Nature Reserve’s entrance gate from where we will go to a nearby limestone field. Amida Johns, author of Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, will meet us at 9h00. RSVP amidajohns@gmail.com

On 2 May – We will go to Napier commonages, falling under Cape Agulhas Municipality, which are managed by Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Trust (ORCT). Odette Curtis Scott, from ORCT is a Renosterveld ecologist, and co-author of Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg and will be our meet leader. The meeting point is outside Napier Overberg Agri - next to the Caltex petrol station on the Caledon side of Napier at 10h00. RSVP info@overbergrenosterveld.org.za

On 2 May – We will go to Napierberg to explore the effects of the recent fire. Stephen Smuts, chairman of BotSoc Southern Overberg will be our meet leader. We meet at his house on the mountain at 14h00. Continue with Plein Street up the mountain for 3km, take Sunbird Lodge access road on right to Stephen’s house.

We also planned free afternoons when you can visit other interesting Fynbos areas on your own – like Heuningberg Reserve in Bredasdorp, Haarwegskloof Renosterveld Reserve, De Mond Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve and do not forget the Fynbos Road: on the R43 between Bredasdorp and Elim, R319 between Bredasdorp and Struisbaai and the Elim Struisbaai road.

Posted on April 18, 2022 10:00 AM by c_brunke c_brunke

April 20, 2022

More stories about our events

FRIDAY 29 APRIL – GEELKOP NATURE RESERVE 9h00
There are many rare and endemic species of Elim Ferricrete and Agulhas Sand Fynbos in this reserve. Observations can be made along the 6km hiking trail or along a 7km circular drive with stop-offs.

FRIDAY 29 APRIL – RIETFONTEIN (AGULHAS NP) 9h00
In this extraordinary area of Rietfontein you’ll see Elim Ferricrete, Agulhas Limestone and Agulhas Sand Fynbos. Observations can be made east and west of Die Poort, also around the inland saltpans of Melkbospan and Vispan or head seawards for Cape seashore vegetation.

SATURDAY 30 APRIL – SOETANYSBERG 10 km WALK (AGULHAS NP) 9h00
This moderate 10km walk is ideal for making observations. It follows a triangular route with a height gain of 230m that ends back at the start. This area is botanically interesting because Limestone Fynbos, Overberg Sandstone Fynbos and Elim Ferricrete Fynbos meet here in great contrast and splendor. It supports many pollinators and small animals. Stunning views await you at the escarpment, where you will be amazed by a floral abundance and a vast coastline. (Bring a snack, water and raincoat along. Wear sturdy shoes, sun protection and hat)

SUNDAY 1 MAY – VOGELGEZANG 9h00
In this field near the coast, you will see Agulhas Limestone Fynbos with its many endemic species. This type of Fynbos has become critically endangered in recent years

MONDAY 2 MAY- NAPIER COMMONAGES MANAGED BY ORCT 10h00
Discover these threatened and last remaining fields of Central Rûens Shale Renosterveld and Rûens Silcrete Renosterveld with its many endemic plants and birds

Posted on April 20, 2022 06:04 AM by c_brunke c_brunke | 0 comments | Leave a comment

April 22, 2022

All our event info in one place

IN SUM:

29 APRIL
8h30 Elim Geelkop Nature Reserve
9h00 Rietfontein in Agulhas National Park
30 APRIL
9h00 Soetanysberg 10km walk in Agulhas National Park
1 MAY
9h00 Vogelgezang
2 MAY
10h00 Napier Commonages managed by ORCT
14h00 Napierberg

READ MORE:

29 APRIL
Elim Geelkop Nature Reserve
Meet at 8h30 at Maakit Mooi Coffee Shop in Elim. Rebecca and Carl will meet you there. From there we will go to the Nature Reserve.
This place stands out as different and serene. You will find many rare and endemic species here. There is a 6km hiking trail and a drive with stop-offs along the 7km circular road.
More info: Carl 082 780 5448, or Rebecca@grootbosfoundation.org

Rietfontein in Agulhas National Park
Meet at 9h00 at the green water tanks on the road from Uintjieskuil (directions below) Sharndré, Emma and Charleen will meet you there.
There is always something new to discover in the richly varied biomes east and west of Die Poort amongst Elim Ferricrete, Agulhas Limestone and Agulhas Sand Fynbos. You can explore on foot or drive with stop-offs on certain roads. You may also follow footpaths around the inland saltpans of Melkbospan and Vispan or head towards the sea for Cape seashore vegetation. Wear sturdy shoes and sun protection. Remember to bring your own snack and water along.

Directions: From Bredasdorp onto R43 for 20km. Turn right at T onto Struisbaai-Elim road. After 2km turn left onto R317 (Wolvengat-Die Dam rd). After 8km turn left at Gansbaai/Die Dam sign. After 500m turn left at Uintjieskuil sign. After 5km see green water tanks.

RSVP: dekockemma@gmail.com

30 APRIL
Soetanysberg 10km walk in Agulhas National Park
Meet at 9h00 at the end of Bergplaas road (directions below) Charleen and Emma will meet you there.
This is a moderate 10 km walk at Soetanysberg with a height gain of 230m that ends back at the start. The species here, have never been observed in Autumn. What will we find? It is set in stunning fynbos, with great views over the ocean. This is a must do and not to be missed! The area is botanically interesting because Limestone Fynbos, Overberg Sandstone Fynbos and Elim Ferricrete Fynbos meet here in great splendor and contrast. It also supports many insect pollinators, birds and small animals. Wear sturdy shoes and sun protection. Remember to bring your own snack and water along.

Directions: From Bredasdorp onto R43 for 20km. Turn left at T onto Elim-Struisbaai Road. After 6km turn right onto Bergplaas road. Continue to end of Bergplaas road, at Agulhas Bergplaas house.

RSVP: charleenbrunke@outlook.com

1 MAY
Vogelgezang
Meet at 9h00 at De Mond Nature Reserve’s entrance gate from where we will go to a nearby limestone field. Amida Johns, author of Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, will meet you.
For CREW members only: RSVP: amidajohns@gmail.com

2 MAY
Napier Commonages managed by ORCT
Meet at 10am outside the Napier Agri, next to the Caltex Petrol Station on the Caledon side of Napier. From here we will share lifts to take fewer cars to 2 sites just a few kilometers away. These are some of the last remaining Central Rûens Shale Renosterveld and Rûens Silcrete Renosterveld fields.
Odette Curtis Scott, from ORCT will meet us.
RSVP: 083 551 3341 or info@overbergrenosterveld.org.za

Napierberg
Meet at 14h00 at Stephen Smuts’ house on Napierberg. We will explore the effects of the recent fire.
Directions: Continue with Plein Street up the mountain for 3km. Turn right at Sunbird Lodge’s road.
More info: stephensmuts1@gmail.com

Posted on April 22, 2022 07:15 PM by c_brunke c_brunke

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