The Cape Bird Club

MINUTES OF THE CAPE BIRD CLUB CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

Minutes of the meeting held on Saturday 29 October 2011 at Dave’s house, Pearly Beach.

Present: Dave Whitelaw, Felicity Ellmore, Gavin Lawson, Cliff Dorse, Suretha Dorse, Shaun Overmeyer.

Apologies: Doug Harebottle, Frank Wygold.

1. Strandfontein -  after NCC did there presentation there will be a memorandum of understanding for NCC to run all the IBA’s. Dave phoned Andrew Pernell, he says that as soon as the agreement between Birdlife and NCC happens they can start on F B E P. Probably not going to meet the deadline of Feb next year.

• Dave is going to phone Mark Anderson, check if he is happy with the deal. Ask if we can get another quote. We should also see a copy of the MOU to see if there is a clause to say that if it doesn’t work with Strandfontein, we don’t have to carry on using them.
• The Strandfontein management meeting went well. Dave met the new manager at the Sewage Works. He is very happy to work with CBC. They are busy clearing pans. Dave asked if Victoria could use the swan neck to clear the canal next to P2 when the works aren’t using it.
• Dave went to a working group organized by the City to encourage the tourism potential of FBEP. Discussed the info centre – they weren’t interested. Probably will just have a simple tower.
• Still thinking about having Bird Guides connected to Strandfontein, Rondevlei etc. Must get a blue print for Birding Routes from Birdlife. City has a green map website – we should connect with them.
• Dave will be meeting with Cecile on Friday to discuss a project to increase wader habitat at Strandfontein. Shaun suggested putting sludge into the settling pans instead of dumping it at the back as it will increase the nutrient level.
• We now have a MOU with the city for running the area.
• Joanne has done a lot - Dave suggests motivating for Joanne to get an Owl Award.

2. Paarden Eiland - Nothing to report.

3. Raapenberg - Dave discussed the management plan with James Cooper. James has just resigned – he is going to Kenilworth.

• Patricia de Lille has recognized the need to clean the Black River – part of upliftment programs.
• Dave is going to meet with someone from the Environmental Resources Management.

4. Edith Stephens - Nothing to report.

5. Wind Farms - Escom is doing assessments at the moment. Must keep an eye on what is happening.

6. Penguins - The boardwalk is going up this week. There is a penguin monitor employed by SANCOB (Rene), there will be anther one soon. They will report to Dalton.

• Lots of the plants have died – there will be a follow up planting.
• Sanparks is supporting the project.

7. Driftsands - Dave tried to contact Nneleng but no reply.

• Cliff did a bird count there.

8. Water bottling Plant - Water bottling plant – there has been no EIA.

• Habitat council was objecting. Dave went with Mary-lou Roux to speak to the chairman of Wessa. Wessa will write a letter to say that they withdrew their opposition due to technical issues.
• Suretha will try and find out more.

9. Constitution - Birdlife wrote a constitution for clubs to use – CBC used it. There is nothing in the constitution that mentions the duties, etc of the conservation committee.

• We need to write a position paper on local conservation issues. Take it to CBC and Birdlife. This should enable local committees to have autonomy on local issues.
• Shaun and Dave will draw up something and circulate to the rest of the committee.

NEXT MEETING - Tuesday 6 December 2011 at Dave’s house.