STEENBOK NEWSLETTER
October 2024
Spring tide in Kingfisher Creek: Lexi Meier
Winter is over, and suddenly plants in Steenbok are starting to grow with new life. With the end of the long, cold winter, our friends and visitors can look forward to warmer, colourful days ahead. Spring in Steenbok is also a time to reflect on what has been achieved during the year.
This Newsletter goes out to not only our dedicated members, but also to the wider Knysna community. If you enjoy this lovely area and are not yet a member, we encourage you to consider joining the growing group of people who are ‘Friends of Steenbok’
WHO FUNDS STEENBOK NATURE RESERVE?
The costs of the ongoing work that is required to keep this nature reserve a precious place are covered by four contributors:
• Friends of Steenbok Trust – members’ subscription fees and donations
• Knysna Municipality – an annual grant
• Leisure Isle Residents Association – an annual donation
• Leisure Isle Festival – a donation from the Leisure Isle Festival
You can join online at: The Friends of Steenbok Nature Reserve Trust
or contact Ingrid Meter: 0834089420 teaminkjen@mweb.co.za
The annual subscription is R600.00
2024 / 2025 MEMBERSHIP FEES ARE NOW PAYABLE
Steenbok Nature Reserve’s financial year runs from October to September. Donations from our Friends are the single biggest source of income for the Reserve, and are used entirely for ongoing maintenance or for new projects.
Thank you to all Friends who continue to support the Reserve with their yearly contributions, and in many cases, a higher figure. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.
Kindly remit your donation to:
The Friends of Steenbok Nature Reserve Trust
Standard Bank, Branch Code 050314
Account No 082579342
Use your surname as a reference.
e-mail confirmation of payment to: news@steenboknaturereserve.
2024 – INTERNATIONAL OCEAN CLEAN-UP DAY
On Saturday 21 September a group of volunteers, assisted by the SANParks Rangers, joined forces to clean up Steenbok’s lagoon-edge. Ocean Clean-up Day sees thousands of people from all over the World come together to clean important ocean and coastal habitats and to inspire change. A huge thank you to Ocean Odyssey Knysna for coordinating all the groups in and around Knysna.
The Steenbok group had the opportunity to chat to the Rangers and find out more about the work they do for Knysna. A major challenge the Rangers face every day is the illegal bait collecting that happens all along the Lagoon’s water edge.
KINGFISHER CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT
Saltmarshes make an important contribution to the ecology of the Knysna Estuary, providing a habitat for many estuarine species, and a breeding and feeding ground for birds. At low tide they display an intricate mosaic of beautiful marsh vegetation.
Knysna has lost over half of its saltmarshes to developments and infilling in the past century. When George Cearn laid out plans for Leisure Island in the 1930s, his intention was to infill Kingfisher Creek to create plots for houses. Fortunately these plans did not materialise, the infilling did not take place, and this beautiful saltmarsh, fringed with indigenous dune forest, was retained.
There has already been a remarkable change.
However, with the increasing number of visitors to the Reserve, more and more pedestrians, cyclists, dog-walkers and fishermen are using this sensitive area as a shortcut to Land’s End.
This has resulted in ugly bare pathways cutting across the inter-tidal vegetation, and wading birds have been scared away. This has been an ongoing concern to the Steenbok committee, and a project was launched to protect Kingfisher Creek, to minimise the damage to the intertidal flora and fauna, and to allow the natural environment to be restored.The project aims to encourage visitors to use only the high-level pathway to reach Land’s End, and not to walk or cycle on the saltmarsh vegetation. And most importantly, to keep their dogs leashed, and discourage them from chasing the seabirds.
SEAWALL REPAIRS
The northern shoreline of Steenbok Reserve is protected by a seawall that was built in the 1930s, using stone quarried from the hillside above Woodbourne. The seawall is subjected to wave and tide action, and high spring tides and storm surges sometimes overtop the wall, resulting in flooding in low-lying areas of the Reserve. Over the years there have been various repairs done, most recently after the storms of last September.
As the seawall is again showing signs of disrepair, we did an inspection with engineer Colin Dittmer, and prepared a report outlining maintenance work required to prevent further damage, and to address potentially unsafe areas.
The work has been prioritised, and the first phase of maintenance will be done in the new financial year, followed by a program of less urgent repairs in subsequent years. It must be noted that any work on the seawall must comply with the sometimes-onerous conditions laid out by the environmental authorisations we hold from SANParks, the Western Cape Government, and the national Department of the Environment.
The inspection reassured us that our ninety-year-old seawall is in no danger of collapse. With ongoing maintenance, it will continue to protect the Towpath, and provide a secure promenade from which visitors can enjoy sweeping views of both the Reserve and the Estuary.
SEPTEMBER 2024 RAINFALL REPORT
September rainfall of 114mm was higher than the 10 year average for September and made up for the relatively low August rainfall. The cumulative total for the year is tracking very close to the 10 year average.
PLEDGE NATURE RESERVE – The Green Heart of Knysna
With the increasing developments in and around Knysna, one tends to forget that this small town is situated in the middle of an ancient forest. Pledge Nature Reserve, in the heart of Knysna, is a wonderful reminder of the natural diversity this area has to offer visitors. From inception in 1929 to the present day, the caretakers of Pledge ensure that the Reserve is maintained and improved.
This unique site should never be underestimated
.
On arrival you are greeted by Maggie Gawide, who is fondly known as the ‘gatekeeper’. She is on hand to guide you from the new kiosk entrance towards the magnificent natural pathways of indigenous flora and fauna. The kiosk window boasts fresh samples of indigenous plants that can be found while meandering through the Reserve.
2024 ARBOUR DAY – TREE OF THE YEAR
The extended list of Trees of the Year now has a ‘Common Tree’, a ‘Tree for Promotion’ and a ‘Tree for Appreciation’. The Common Tree is a species or genus that occurs widely, and/or is easy to grow. The Tree for Promotion is one that is less widely adapted, but is not uncommon. The Tree for Appreciation is a tree species or genus that is generally more restricted in its distribution range or suitable habitat.
This year Steenbok chose to highlight the 2024 ‘Tree for Promotion’ Apodytes dimidiata (White pear) which is available to purchased at the Pledge Nature Reserve’s Entrance Kiosk.
Apodytes dimidiata grows naturally in coastal evergreen bush and at the margins of medium altitude evergreen forest, and comprises 3-9% of the total tree population of the Knysna Forest. A lovely example of one growing in Steenbok can be found in the first tree copse after the Joy Gardens.
It is an ideal tree for the home garden as it does not have messy fruits and is safe to plant near the house, not disturbing the foundations or paved areas. During the summer months, this tree display a striking profusion of small, white, fragrant blooms. The strong scent of the flowers attract many pollinating insects to the garden. The very decorative fruit with its bunches of black berries and fleshy red ‘cap’ attracts many different bird species, and helps to enhance a garden’s natural appearance.
A NEW TREE INFO SIGN FOR THE BOMA
This year’s Reserve upgrade focus included the very popular Boma area, which is a tree copse situated near Links Road extension, and overlooks the grass common. This tree copse was established in 2008 with the aim of visitors being able to enjoy this peaceful shady area while the family picnic and children play safely in the mowed field. Earlier this year, two new donated benches were placed under the Yellowwood trees, and now a colourful tree information sign has been added to the educational lapa.
Thanks to Suzi Thomopoulos (our talented Kid Corner contributor),for adding her original, creative skills to the design of this colourful sign.
The new tree sign has easy-to-read guides about shapes of trees, types of tree bark, and leaf identification, as well as important facts about why trees are such a valuable part of our environment.
Well worth a visit!!!
AUGUST 2024 CWAC BIRD COUNT
These yearly counts are focused on wading birds that use the lagoon as a food source and for breeding. Every year the Coordinated Waterbird Count (CWAC) program of midsummer and midwinter censuses is conducted at a large number of South African wetlands. The counts are conducted by volunteers – people and organisations with a passion for waterbird conservation. This is one of the largest and most successful citizen science programmes in Africa, providing much-needed data for waterbird conservation around the world. Currently the project monitors over 400 wetlands around the country, and furthermore compiles waterbird data for over 600 sites. Steenbok Nature Reserve is privileged to be part of the ‘Mud Plodders’ team. The August Count was an early morning trek, starting at Land’s End and ending at the water’s edge near the old airport site.
The highlight for this team of this year’s count was the recording of six water thick knees nesting in the marina at the Island Boat Club. In August last year only two of these birds were recorded.
WEBSITE NEWS
The Steenbok website went live in 2008. With help and guidance from our Friends and from S2web, there have been numerous changes and additions made over the years. We are excited to announce that we have added two new flora and one fauna to our expanding website.
It is always exciting and fascinating to research any new findings. All new flora and fauna are fact-checked before being added to our website.
Thanks to Lexi Meier for the Butterfly Bush and Veldkool flora observations, and to Nanna Joubert from Pledge Nature Reserve for her assistance with the correct identification of these plants. Thanks also goes to Erin Fietze, our reptile enthusiast, for confirming our observation of a Cape skink.
THE LEISURE ISLE FESTIVAL
9 AND 10 NOVEMBER 2024
The Leisure Isle Festival was launched more than twenty years ago, and has become a popular feature of the Island calendar. The aim of the Festival has always been to support worthy charities, to provide local craft people with an opportunity to trade, and above all, to build a sense of community. This is an event not to be missed, and Steenbok Nature Reserve will once again be there!
Come and meet the Steenbok team!!
Every year the Steenbok committee comes up with creative ideas to showcase on our stall, and this year is no exception. Festival-goers can buy a range of unique products which are ideal as gifts for Christmas. Our popular Children’s Activity Book and licence disc stickers will be on sale, as well as knitted and crocheted bug beanies that have been hand-made to represent the small creatures found in the Reserve.
KIDS CORNER – THE KNYSNA DWARF CHAMELEON
Spring is a good time to look at trees in Steenbok. While exploring one might come across a bird’s nest or a butterfly, or when looking very closely, a chameleon. The Reserve is home to quite a few of these small creatures. Remember, when you find one, don’t move it or pick it up. Just enjoy watching it in its natural environment.
Visit our website to learn all about
Master Brady Podion – Chameleon Extraordinaire
1. Download the colouring page to get started
2. Then take a photo of your artwork and mail it to news@steenboknaturereserve.
or drop your artwork off at our stall No. 70 at the Leisure Isle Festival.
HOME COMPOSTING
A great way to utilise your DIY and recycling skills!!
Let’s get started! Download this simple, step-by-step DIY COMPOST chart.
Why should we compost? Compost is very useful! It can be mixed into normal soil to help plants, flowers and crops grow faster and stronger. Instead of buying fertiliser, we can make it for free at home or at school. Compost also helps our planet to stay safe and clean.
Use it! Compost can take a few weeks or a few months to be ready. It depends on what you put in, and the weather. In a hot climate, it will happen faster than in colder climates, because the heat helps the organic matter to break down.
Watch it grow … Your compost contains many living organisms that need to be taken care of. Feed them regularly with new organic material. Compost should also be mixed or ‘turned’ at least once every week with a garden fork. If it looks dry, sprinkle it with water to make it moist, and add more ‘green’ material. If it gets slimy or smelly, mix in some dry carbon waste like dead leaves or shredded paper.
