by KBergReserve

THE BATTLE OF BETTY’S BAY: HACK REPORT 648

A glorious day to tackle the intruding Rooikrans! The fynbos could almost be heard to say’ thank you’ as the enemy fell one by one. A huge difference could be seen at the end of the hack. Well done all. There are still a lot to eradicate so it will be back here next month. It was encouraging to experience a local resident that came to thank us for the clearing and to offer coffee and rusks! It was interesting to see that as we cut the Rooikrans, little gems like Haemanthus coccineus (some already…
read more
by KBergReserve

TALK REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2016

10 December 2016: George and Margo Branch on “Creatures of the fynbos” This was a very well attended morning talk with some children present. It was a pity that there were not more children there to listen and learn and enjoy this presentation which George and Margo shared. Originally from Zimbabwe, George and Margo met at UCT while studying Zoology and Biology respectively. Being well qualified to talk on fynbos creatures, their talk was enlivened by personal experiences. On one occasion while diving near Hermanus, George had his leg playfully grabbed by an otter for…
read more
by KBergReserve

TALK REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2016

10 November 2016:  Dr Candice-Lee Lyons on “Biological control of weeds - history, principles, and examples” This most informative talk by Candice-Lee Lyons (who was supported by her husband and young son) gave us all a broader perspective on how invasive alien plants are being controlled. There are three methods used to control invasive plants. The Betty's Bay Hack Group, which has been working in the area for over 40 years, uses mainly the mechanical method. This includes chain saws for the large, mainly acacia, species (e.g. rooikrans), and poppers and snickers for the smaller…
read more
by KBergReserve

SEPTEMBER TALK REPORT

- Andrea Benn Saturday 17 September: Dr Peter Ryan, ornithologist, on “Oceans of plastic - impacts, sources and solutions to plastic pollution in marine ecosystems”. Plastic, plastic, plastic! Why do we use it? Because it’s versatile (soft plastic bags to hard kitchenware), cheap, lightweight, and has a very long lifespan. Have you ever thought that the plastic that was first produced is still around? Peter Ryan, our guest speaker for the September talk at Harold Porter Gardens, is based at the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute at UCT. With several publications to his name, his original interest…
read more
by KBergReserve

PRINGLE BAY HACK REPORT NO 117

- Chris Geldenhuys, Convenor On a wonderful Spring morning, the Pringle Bay Hack Group gathered in the Point area, again for the Rooikrantz and Australian Myrtle which are still a serious threat in that area. We have hacked the verges of Hangklip Road between Bell Road South and North. Due to the extent of the invasive vegetation we will have to return again. The following hackers performed the hack on 25 September: John Whitehead, Edward Silberbauer, Sue Folb, Ilse Meyer, Tom Dreyer, Andy James, Anthony and Hillary Harris, Japie Krige, Frik Potgieter, Charles Hector, Andree…
read more
by KBergReserve

JUNE TALK REPORT

Andrea Benn Saturday 18 June: Cameron and Rhoda McMaster: ‘Bulbous plants within a 12 km radius of Napier’. How botanically special are our small village environments and the people who live there caring for them. Such a couple are Cameron and Rhoda McMaster who moved to Napier in 2003. Cameron was an agricultural college student, who as a child had loved walking in the veld with his Dad. Rhoda has an interest in and knowledge of plants in the winter rainfall areas. Together they became passionate about the bulbs near their home. If Nieuwoudtville is…
read more
by KBergReserve

PRINGLE BAY HACK REPORT NO 114

Chris Geldenhuys, Convenor With a serious winter storm brewing, the Pringle Bay Hack Group started the hack on 26 June 2016 in Peter Road of Pringle Bay. The primary challenge was the ever-present Rooikrantz, some of them real monsters. During the month of June the Pringle Bay Hack have performed two other impromptu hacks as well, namely Rooikrantz in Upper Level Road and also in the bird sanctuary next to Marine Road. In that light June was a very successful hack month! The following hackers performed the hack on 26 June: We were joined for…
read more
by KBergReserve

JUNE WALK REPORT: SATURDAY 18 JUNE 2016

Say ‘Dune Strandveld’, or more precisely ‘Overberg Dune Strandveld’, and you get a mental picture of huge mounds of white sand. Well, huge mounds of white sand are seldom far from it, but in reality Overberg Dune Strandveld is dense thicket, populated by low growing trees, among them the well named, species rich ‘taaibos’ (‘tough bush’) of the genus Searsia, dune olive Olea exasperata, sea guarrie Euclea racemosa, Cape coast cabbage trees Cussonia thyrsiflora and a host of others. But Overberg Dune Strandveld is not only about low growing trees and shrubs. Succulent shrubs of…
read more
by KBergReserve

PRINGLE BAY HACK REPORT NO 113

Chris Geldenhuys, Convenor In the morning mist the Pringle Bay Hack Group started the hack on 29 May 2016 in Flat, High Level and Surf roads of Pringle Bay. The primary challenge was the Australian Myrtle with a number of the ever present Rooikrantz. Although most of the Myrtle were small plants, they posed a sure long-term threat. The weather later changed for the better and the hack was finalised in wonderful autumn weather. We were joined for the first time by Jenny Parsons. Welcome Jenny! The rest of the hackers were: John Whitehead, Edward…
read more
by KBergReserve

PRINGLE BAY HACK REPORT NO 112

Chris Geldenhuys, Convenor Pringle Bay Hack Group finalised a successful hack on 24 April 2016 in Peak and Pass roads of Pringle Bay. The primary challenge was the ever-present Australian Myrtle. After the serious storm on Friday the hack was carried out in wonderful, perfect autumn weather. The following hackers performed the hack: John Whitehead, Edward Silberbauer, Frik Potgieter, Sue Folb, Neil and Penny Berens, Tom Dreyer, Charles Hector, Karen and Louw Toerien, Anthony and Hillary Harris, Ilse and Mike Meyer, Andree Henning, Carol Wilson, together with Chris Geldenhuys. A special word of thanks for…
read more