The Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary is situated inside the grounds of Delta Park, in Johannesburg. Delta Park was established in 1934 as a waste water treatment plant - one of the most advanced treatment plants in the world at the time. As Johannesburg grew, its capacity became too small for the city and in 1963 the plant was moved to Diepsloot. The main building displays the simple elegance of the Art Deco style that was popular at the time.
After the water treatment plant was relocated, the building and surrounding open spaces became run-down and overgrown. In 1975 the municipality planned to demolish the building. The founder of Delta Park, Norman Bloom, persuaded the city authorities to lease the building to him at a nominal rental. A Section 21 company was registered and the SA Nature Conservation Centre came into being. In 1992 it changed its name to the Delta Environmental Centre.
The Kikuyu lawns within the park have created a living environment for Crowned and Walled Plovers along with over a hundred different bird species, such as: House Sparrows; Cape Weavers; Puffbacks; Grass Owls and African Hawk Eagles, to name a few that can be viewed in the Bird Sanctuary. Mammals such as hedgehogs, striped mice and even a slender mongoose can be found foraging around the park. Reptiles also make up part of the parks ecological system - do not be surprised if you stumble across a brown house snake or a marsh terrapin.
The cache is a small (nano-like) container containing only a log sheet – please bring your own pen or pencil to leave your mark.
While it may be possible to do the cache at night, this is not recommended. Please take care when finding the cache - this area is popular with people from all walks of life. It is recommended that this be attempted as a group effort. Two sets of parking coordinates are provided - for a pedestrian gate fairly close to the cache and a location some distance from the cache site that can serve as a useful ‘base’ for attempting the other caches in the vicinity (both within leisurely walking distance):
· The Billy Goats Gruff
· Hide to Seek II;
FTF: Urban Hunters