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    Zandvlei: Lower Estuary (34071828)

    Western Cape
    Card 504548
    Compiler 10691
    Location code 34071828Zandvlei: Lower Estuary (Western Cape)
    Start date 2014-07-19
    Season WWinter
    Start time 10:15
    End time 12:15
    Shoreline covered 95
    Openwater covered 95
    Total Species 28
    Total Count 1466
    Wetland Condition 2Partially full (mid tide for estuaries)
    Wetland Threats
    Count Condition 3Moderate
    Count Type 5Mixed
    Nil Count (No birds present) 0There were CWAC species present
    Notes The weather improved by becoming sunny with dispersed cloud. Wind moderating at times from the west. Interesting observation along the total western shoreline, was that clear water was only visible at the edge of the bank by about 5cm. It was fully silt ladden and flowing out the mouth very strongly, as a brown coloured water mass. Observed were Cape Cormorants hunting in packs and catching plenty of fish. They came out and were photographed resting and drying out on the yacht clubs wooden deck. There were downy chicks in the group begging for food, one seen to be fed. After about 15 minutes they were seen entering the water again to feed. How they could see was too be wondered. Reed Cormorants were also joining in and there were many Darters as well. It was supposed that many thousands of recruitment fish had made it into the estuary.
    Survey notes


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    Observer NumberNameOptions

    Current data
    Ref #SpeciesCountBreeding
    Pairs    		Breeding
    indicator
    4Grebe, Great Crested
    (Podiceps cristatus)    		140
    6Grebe, Little
    (Tachybaptus ruficollis)    		260
    47Cormorant, White-breasted
    (Phalacrocorax lucidus)    		140
    48Cormorant, Cape
    (Phalacrocorax capensis)    		1010
    50Cormorant, Reed
    (Microcarbo africanus)    		710
    52Darter, African
    (Anhinga rufa)    		240
    54Heron, Grey
    (Ardea cinerea)    		30
    59Egret, Little
    (Egretta garzetta)    		70
    61Egret, Western Cattle
    (Bubulcus ibis)    		100
    83Ibis, Glossy
    (Plegadis falcinellus)    		10
    84Ibis, Hadada
    (Bostrychia hagedash)    		230
    85Spoonbill, African
    (Platalea alba)    		90
    88Goose, Spur-winged
    (Plectropterus gambensis)    		20
    89Goose, Egyptian
    (Alopochen aegyptiaca)    		4810Confirmed Breeding
    90Shelduck, South African
    (Tadorna cana)    		30
    94Shoveler, Cape
    (Anas smithii)    		20
    96Duck, Yellow-billed
    (Anas undulata)    		120
    102Pochard, Southern
    (Netta erythrophthalma)    		10
    212Coot, Red-knobbed
    (Fulica cristata)    		3530Confirmed Breeding
    245Lapwing, Blacksmith
    (Vanellus armatus)    		70
    269Avocet, Pied
    (Recurvirostra avosetta)    		10
    287Gull, Kelp
    (Larus dominicanus)    		390
    288Gull, Grey-headed
    (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus)    		20
    289Gull, Hartlaub's
    (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)    		530
    394Kingfisher, Pied
    (Ceryle rudis)    		100
    686Wagtail, Cape
    (Motacilla capensis)    		30
    1016, Mallard
    (Anas platyrhynchos)    		130
    10015Mallard, Hybrid
    (Anas hybrid)    		1810


    FITZ logo Ramsar Wetlands International http://www.sanbi.org/

    Thursday 21 November 2024 06:47
    FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
    Department of Biological Sciences - University of Cape Town

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