H E R B S                                                    NO 82     FEBRUARY 2007 OCF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD GOES TO OUR PRESIDENT

Secrets surfaced at the 46th AGM of our society last month when Priscilla Drewe was given the highest accolade of the Overstrand Conservation Foundation – the Lifetime Achievement Award. Surprised and gratified, our president listened to a tribute from her close friend Anne Bean, who had been spirited here for the occasion, and received the framed award from OCF chairperson Anina Lee. There have been only two other recipients of this prestigious award, given in recognition of exceptional services to conservation. They are Avril Nunn from Betty’s Bay and Belle Barker, Fernkloof flower lady and hacker supreme. Anne, former scientific officer at the Compton Herbarium, spoke of the days when she first met Priscilla and ‘Doc’ Williams on the mountain slopes of Fernkloof and Vogelgat. She recalled how: In 1983 Priscilla became Keeper of the Hermanus Herbarium, one of the few if not the only herbarium in a nature reserve. She increased the number of collected species to 1600 and was instrumental in gaining international status (HER) for the herbarium. After-fire specimens were systematically collected and special record books kept of pressed species. She discovered rare plants. One, Otholobium dreweae, is named after her. (This special blue peaflower should be making one of its rare appearances in Spring on Rotsberg burn.) She was not only a botanist giving info and advice to students and colleagues, she managed the botanical centre with all its attendant problems, convened flower shows and chaired the committee. She was also a member of the Fernkloof Advisory Board for many years. Priscilla is now Emeritus Keeper and still does herbarium duties. Lee Burman has taken over the mantle of Keeper. Priscilla Drewe receiving award Second secret was the award of honorary life membership to Geraldine Gardiner for services rendered over the years. Geraldine Gardiner receiving award SOME MATTERS ARISING FROM THE AGM: Acting chairperson Pat Miller read a report from Keith Kirkman, who is recovering slowly from a viral syndrome. He and Charlotte returned home at the end of January. Councillor Francois Marais sent a special message from the society wishing him well. David Beattie, who is standing down from the committee, was thanked for his valuable input in getting the Walks on Wheels show project implemented, his able chairmanship and his ongoing Cliff Path activities. He is now Chairman of the Fernkloof Advisory Board – will he ever do those watercolour paintings he dreams of? The Mayor, Theo Byleveldt, thanked the society for its contribution to conservation. He indicated that our projects could benefit from the millions coming Overstrand way from the completed golf course estate. Seven million rand had already been set aside in trust for the wetland areas. The gardens of Fernkloof need benches for special places. If anyone would like to donate one in memory of a loved one please contact Carol Groenewald 028-3132675.

FERNKLOOF NATURE RESERVE LIVING CLASSROOM – a Proposal for a Joint OCF Botanical Society Environmental Education Programme

Arising out of the latest flower show project, Conservation through Education, discussions have been taking place between the Overstrand Conservation Foundation and the Hermanus Botsoc. The OCF office is proposing an active partnership with our society in which both bodies jointly identify and define environmental education needs and design and implement ways of meeting these needs through the Fernkloof Reserve. An Eco-Schools Programme is in place and Overstrand schools are being encouraged to register and participate. The programme is partially sponsored by WWF-SA and WESSA, and the Lotteries Fund has been approached for substantial funding. To initiate the joint programme the plan is for a working group to be formed, with three members from each body to define the project and propose a budget for consideration. More about this exciting project in our next newsletter…

BIRDS OR BATS? (Special report from a well-known Bird Club and Botsoc member)

There was much surreptitious scurrying around at 4 am on the morning of 25 November as our team prepared to set out for Birding Big Day, a country-wide competition to see who can spot the most bird species in 24 hours. Our team, the Hermanus Harriers (the Crazy Coots might have been more appropriate) was determined to get off to a good start in the hope of finding one or two elusive night species before dawn. We set off in the direction of Fernkloof and there, would you believe it, sitting in the middle of the road, was a Fiery-necked Nightjar. More often heard than seen, this was mega-tick No 1. But alas, thereafter, fortune failed us and not a single Spotted Eagle Owl put in an appearance. But we were amply rewarded a little later as the dawn chorus began and in the early morning light we began ticking off the awakening daytime birds, of which there were more than enough to keep us happily engaged for the next hour or so. Our long day ended at about 8 pm after much driving from place to place and a frustrating search in the fading light for a Fish Eagle which,alas, continued to elude us. Highlight of the day was a nest in an old farm shed with three white fluffy Barn Owl chicks peering out at us. L.B.

A PROLIFERATION OF YOUNG PINES IN THE FERNKLOOF RESERVE

is a matter of great concern says Dr D C Moran , professor emeritus of the University of Cape Town and environmental and ecological consultant. In a recent letter to the Chairman of the Fernkloof Advisory Board Dr Moran states: I need to stress (if that is necessary) that the invasion of young pines on the mountain slopes in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve behind Hermanus Heights (above the level of the power lines) is in need of urgent attention. I have done a very rough estimate of population numbers by pacing out sectors of approximately 100 metres along the Klipspringer contour path and counting the numbers of small pine trees that I can see with the naked eye above and below the path. My counts are between 400 to 500 pines per sector. These of course will be gross underestimates – there is no doubt that I can see just a fraction of the pines that are actually present. But given this as a start, I estimate that the populations of small pines from Elephant path in the West to the Botanical Society offices must number at least 15 000. I think you could multiply that number by 3, 4, or 5 times at least to give you a true figure. I may even have underestimated by an order of magnitude. (I should have done an estimate of the multiplication factor.) Anyway the point is, if we are lucky there are only 20000 to 50 000 young pines that need to be removed from that area. And time is obviously of the essence – most of the pines are presently less than a metre tall (relatively easy to sever at the base with a machete). In a year’s time the costs and efforts required will have escalated hugely, and left just a bit longer until cones are produced, the problem will be beyond our reach perhaps forever and the mountain will be lost to pines. I fully appreciate the magnitude of the problem even now (perhaps we are already talking about costs in the region of R100 000?) but if we don’t do something now then I sadly predict that we will have let the last opportunity slip. The Fernkloof Advisory Board, at their meeting on 24.11.06, promised that all necessary steps to clear the upper slopes of the reserve would be taken in the next few months. Also discussed were the pros and cons of having a small dedicated well-trained team on permanent alien vegetation removal duty as opposed to using contract workers en masse and less often.

DID YOU KNOW?

There are bokkie ‘windows’ in the golf course estate fence along the gravel extension of Fernkloof Drive – specially for a little grysbok who got stuck behind bars. Now he goes in and out happily, as the spores show. It took a a visitor from the Kirstenbosch branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa to clear the alien vegetation on the way to Galpinkop recently. We welcome a return visit. Bob Hill is leading a small hack group on Saturday afternoons in lower Fernkloof, eradicating myrtles, pines, Port Jackson and gums among eight-foot high fynbos. Help would be welcome! The rock man is rocking our paths again! Voelklip, Klipspringer and Lemoenkop paths are all being systematically ‘barricaded’. Why, when and by whom is this deed being perpetrated? Walkers are welcome to remove the offending rocks and return them to their natural habitat. Who are these mystery members? The following payments were made to our account through the internet with no names attached: 8.1.07 “Botsoc” R75 10.1.07 “Absa Bank Ledegeld” R110 Please phone Lee Burman at 028-3123011.

PROGRAMME

HACKING MEETS :	08:00	September - March
	08:30	April - August

Tuesdays (third of each month) :	February 20
	March 20
	April 17
	May 15

The Mossel River needs your help! Hacks at present meet at the top of Riverside Road, Voëlklip. Sesbania, Acacia longifolia, baby gums are just some of the alien vegetation that need to be eradicated.

For further information contact Bob Hill 028-3121463

 

OTHER SOCIAL EVENTS :

February 23	18:00	Annual braai
March 5-8		EXCURSION: Swartriet (at Jacobsbaai near Saldanha)
April 7	8:00	DATY WALK : Die Dam to Quin Point
May 15-17		EXCURSION: Goudini Spa

For further information re walks please contact Piet Joubert

tel 028-3140264

Published by Hermanus Botanical Society, PO Box 208, Hermanus 7200 Editor: GERALDINE GARDINER - Fax (028) 313 0617