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    Zandvlei: Lower Estuary (34071828)

    Western Cape
    Card 510824
    Compiler 10691
    Location code 34071828Zandvlei: Lower Estuary (Western Cape)
    Start date 2024-07-20
    Season WWinter
    Start time 08:55
    End time 11:20
    Shoreline covered 90
    Openwater covered 95
    Total Species 26
    Total Count 1330
    Wetland Condition 1Full (High tide for estuaries)
    Wetland Threats 0
    Count Condition 3Moderate
    Count Type 1On foot
    Nil Count (No birds present) 0There were CWAC species present
    Notes "We were lucky today the rain held off for the count. There were lots of puddles see the reflections in the photo between Promenade Road and the Yacht Club sheds. There were not many birds on the main waterbody today they are probably still in hiding from the inclement weather for the last 2 weeks. The sand spit between bends one and two was nearly submerged under the sheet of water which did not seem to be moving by the glassy appearance (see photos) but when near the mouth of the estuary it was flowing at a great rate. It is good to note that the Little Egret and Spoonbill numbers have remained consistent at the July counts for the last 10 years. The heron and ibis roosting tree in Axminster Road is being actively used again with 6 Grey Herons, 1 African Sacred Ibis and 1 Black headed Heron on nests in the tree in the garden of the guest house. We did not see any of the usual birds of prey today. The Marsh Harrier has been missing for some months. Thank you to all who came to help today, your contribution does make a difference. Note it was low tide and the estuary was very full. "
    Survey notes


    Add additional observers
    Observer NumberNameOptions
    0F Ellmore
     
    0Gigi Laidler
     
    0Kyran Wright
     
    0Linda Hibbin
     
    0s Hattas
     

    Current data
    Ref #SpeciesCountBreeding
    Pairs    		Breeding
    indicator
    47Cormorant, White-breasted
    (Phalacrocorax lucidus)    		420
    48Cormorant, Cape
    (Phalacrocorax capensis)    		2820
    50Cormorant, Reed
    (Microcarbo africanus)    		970
    54Heron, Grey
    (Ardea cinerea)    		400
    55Heron, Black-headed
    (Ardea melanocephala)    		20
    59Egret, Little
    (Egretta garzetta)    		800
    69Night Heron, Black-crowned
    (Nycticorax nycticorax)    		120Confirmed Breeding
    81Ibis, African Sacred
    (Threskiornis aethiopicus)    		50Confirmed Breeding
    84Ibis, Hadada
    (Bostrychia hagedash)    		250
    89Goose, Egyptian
    (Alopochen aegyptiaca)    		1130Confirmed Breeding
    96Duck, Yellow-billed
    (Anas undulata)    		310
    210Moorhen, Common
    (Gallinula chloropus)    		80
    212Coot, Red-knobbed
    (Fulica cristata)    		840
    238Plover, Three-banded
    (Charadrius tricollaris)    		10
    245Lapwing, Blacksmith
    (Vanellus armatus)    		70
    274Thick-knee, Water
    (Burhinus vermiculatus)    		40
    287Gull, Kelp
    (Larus dominicanus)    		1250
    288Gull, Grey-headed
    (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus)    		50
    289Gull, Hartlaub's
    (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)    		3100
    290Tern, Caspian
    (Hydroprogne caspia)    		40
    291Tern, Common
    (Sterna hirundo)    		70
    394Kingfisher, Pied
    (Ceryle rudis)    		90
    686Wagtail, Cape
    (Motacilla capensis)    		20
    1016, Mallard
    (Anas platyrhynchos)    		70
    10005Duck, Hybrid
    (Anas hybrid)    		260
    10015Mallard, Hybrid
    (Anas hybrid)    		20


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

    Thursday 18 December 2025 05:11
    FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology
    Department of Biological Sciences - University of Cape Town

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