The Cape Bird Club

Proposed development at Lourens River Estuary  by Dirk van Driel

Due to the interest of this Estuary the issue was taken up by the western cape Birding Forum on behalf of BirdLife and all local bird clubs in our area. Dr Dirk van Driel attended a meeting with the deveolpers in November 2006 and reports;

The pending developments at the rehabilitated AECI site just inland from the tern roost are astounding with an entire new city to be constructed within the next couple of years.

Ones reaction to this would prbably be that this does not bode well for the tern roost, but this is not necessarily true. Heartland the property branch of AECI is as concerned as we all are and is still maintaining the fence at the Lourens River mouth to keep people out. However it cannot continue to rule from the grave, as Heartland's Martin Burr puts it, and once the land is sold off the new owners will have to take charge.

In this regard a strong and vibrant interest group is essential, consisting of the organised birding community, the new owners and conservation authorities. The stretch of beach adjacent to the Lourens River mouth, possibly right to the Eerste River mouth at Maccassar should be protected. The mere presence of people and especially their dogs, holds a serious threat to the contined existence of the roost. Crucial to the conservation effort is the farm land right next to the beach that belongs to the Dept of Public Works. This land should be carried over to CapeNature for conservation purposes. Heartland has, in fact made overtures to this effect to the authorities, but neither Public Works nor Capenature has responded.

Hence the Western Cape Birding Forum (WCBF) should through planned, persistent and coherent action safeguard the land from development. The WCBF has sent out letters to Heartland and the authorities. The initial reaction was most envcouraging. Now that we have established contact and officially stated our concern and our intent, all the clubs that make up the WCBF with support from BLSA should take heart and drive the matter to a positive and lasting conclusion.