• The proclamation of 17 reserves with varying degrees of conservation status. We are delighted in that Strandfontein settling pans will be included in a major nature reserve - the False Bay Nature Reserve an area of approx 2,200ha enjoying the highest status - equivalent to de Hoop.

This process has been driven by 4 considerations:

• An attempt to ensure the recommendations of CAPE (Cape Action Plan for the Environment) with a stated aim of conserving 30% of each biome.
• An attempt to create corridors to connect open areas, so called stepping stones.
• Adjusting boundaries of existing reserves
• Tourism

The process has gone smoothly to date and currently it is the final phase of public participation phase. The city owes Cliff Dorse and his team a great deal, in setting an example to the country in proactive conservation.

1. An explosion of applications for wind farm development - mainly up the west coast. This is a difficult problem - experience overseas suggests that it is difficult to predict which site may have an adverse affect on bird populations. Some work suggests that high bird populations may be an indication. BLSA and the ADU are currently drawing areas of high endemism and populations to guide assessment of siting of wind farms Tony Williams, now an independent assessor has recently completed the first radar study of bird movements. This is method of assessing bird movement in relation to wind farms. We hope that it will be increasingly used in this field.
2. ESKOM is considering at some stage, building a nuclear power station just east of Pearly Beach. Apart from potential effect on an important fynbos area, the powerlines are a potential hazard to the blue crane and bustard populations of the Overberg. Together with other NGOs we have expressed our concerns and are awaiting developments.

Conservation activities:
Strandfontein: The proclamation is good news but a major drawback is that there is no funding attached and your committee together with Vernon is planning an approach to a large corporation with a view to raising funds for to enable the Club/City Council to continue managing the area.
Further news from Strandfontein is that we have not been able to make major inroads into the Water hyacinth. Several pans with minor infestations have been cleared but the major infestations have not been attempted. We are loathe to use herbicides and the other options have proved to be very expensive.

West Coast Field Study Centre: Frank Wygold continues his major educational programme, despite problems with the City Council. Frank is endeavouring to find alternate accommodation for himself and the Centre close to the Zoarvlei.
Be assured ladies and gentlemen his programme will continue.

Edith Stevens: Doug continues to infuse this site with his regular ringing and the children/ young adults now monitor the bird numbers at the site. A successful BBD was held with the help of Toyota - organized by Shaun and Stacy. We intend expanding our activities at this site.

Raapenburg : This reserve is currently in limbo as is the whole TRUP (Two rivers urban park). the reserve manager has resigned and there has been little activity at the site for some time.
The fate of the Oude Molen part of that complex is also uncertain due to development pressures.

House Crows: Campaign is progressing well, and the possibility of total extermination exists. Durban who had a far larger population now has a single figure population. Their problem will be ours in the near future of mopping up these remnants.

Flamienkvlei and the threat of mining in the winelands. These two developments which had potential for degrading habitat appear to be no longer viable.

Other Activities: Committee members involved in commenting on a number of developments including the management plan for Zandvlei and Princess vlei where Gavin Lawson has been particularly active.

Cerbos Salt : together with the West Coast Bird Club the Cerebos site the will be a major focus in the coming year. We intend approaching management with an offer to help in the management to improve the habitat. Suretha Dorse has been most helpful in supplying legislative details on how this site should be monitored.

Finally ladies and gentlemen I must express a special word of thanks to Felicity Elmore who, as secretary provides us with minutes and communicates so effectively.

Thank you ladies and gentlemen.

Dave Whitelaw
Chairman: Conservation Committee