A walk around these lovely Wetlands, and a clean-up of the area.
Soon it will be breading season for the Western leopard toad and this is one of their breeding areas.
So now is a good time to do a clean-up for them and the other animals in the wetlands. At the same time you will get to earn your Road trip souvenir by attending a geocaching CITO event.
This is a late afternoon early evening event so who knows what we may get to see on our walk around the wetlands.
Meet at the wetlands parking (GZ) at 5:30pm, with your Litter bag (an empty dog food bag works well) ; rubber gloves or braai tongs (if you don’t like handling litter). A easy amble around the wetlands, collecting any rubbish we may find..
We will need to be done by 6:30pm as it will be getting dark soon.
Kids will love it and are welcome to join in!
Please pass on to anyone who may be interested…
This is an important ecological area providing vital protected habitat for numerous species of birds, mammals, plants, reptiles & insects. It has several ponds (some overgrown by bulrushes) and a 1.8 km gravel path with boardwalks, bridges and stepping stones around the perimeter and crossing through the wetlands.
The reserve protects a section of Hangklip Sand Fynbos as well as the indigenous Cape wetlandsof the Silvermine River. It was rehabilitated due to local flooding problems, and the original indigenous species are being reintroduced, replacing the problematic alien vegetation that is gradually being cleared.
Silvermine River Wetlands Route is a notable bird watching location with over 50 bird species recorded, though some are no longer seen - see the list here.
It is also a breeding ground for many amphibians, including the endangered endangered Western Leopard Toad, Arum Lily Frog, Cape River Frog and Clicking Stream Frog. Other species such as the Cape Platanna unfortunately seem now to be locally extinct.
There are several small mammal species here too, such as porcupine, cape clawless otter, grysbock and mongoose.
For an interesting and detailed history of the wetlands see here. See also here for more details of the wetland flora & fauna & facilities.
Thanks to SawaSawa for letting me use the above info from his cache at the wetlands (http://coord.info/GC3FQG7)