Page 19 - Blue Valley Issue 5 2020 print.pdf

BIRDING

WHAT’S IN IT

FOR ME?

By Johan J. van Biljon,
Ph.D., Pr.Sci.Nat.

eople are sometimes inclined to ask
the question ‘’what’s in it for me’’ before
Pthey do anything. This is especially true
when the environment and surroundings in
which we live, are involved. Here at Blue Valley
Golf and Country Estate we are very lucky to
have green spaces and even wetlands on the
estate. Please note the word ‘’country’’ in our
name.
Giant Bullfrog
There are ecosystems and wetlands at Blue
Valley that deliver free of charge services to
us:
ecosystem. We can make a contribution Talking about snakes, a Rinkals was also
towards biodiversity even in our spotted. This is one of the spitting snakes in
• Regulating services such as flood, own gardens by planting a variety of South Africa and it is known to feed on frogs,
pest and disease control. For example, preferably indigenous plants. lizards, rodents other snakes, birds and even
Centurion experiences flash floods
bird eggs.
during heavy downpours and wetlands On the estate we have a variety of birds
help to slow down the speed of the because of the different habitats ranging There are also a few bigger mammals like
water, which reduces the risk of flash from dry grassland through to wetlands hares, a Slender Mongoose and even jackals
floods and even the loss of life.
• Cultural services such as spiritual and and dams. In front of our house, we have a were spotted quite a while ago. The value of
wetland and half a dam (the dam wall has the Slender Mongoose is that it eats locusts,
recreational benefits. We can see people been broken for a very long time) which has termites, beetles, ants and mice.
enjoying themselves by walking and contributed to the variety of birds. So far,
jogging in the open spaces. There are we have counted 38 bird species, some of Reading through the ‘free of charge services’
health benefits too, and research has them very interesting. There is for example delivered to us by nature, we can see that it
shown that walking in nature lowers
the Pin-tailed Wydah, a very aggressive is worth looking after the ecosystems and
blood pressure and improves brain little bird. It was described by somebody as wetlands on our estate. One easy way of
function. In Japan, walking in the woods a bird weighing only 46 grams, 40 of which doing this is by planting indigenous plants on
is a well-known therapy for combating are pure testosterone! It is very enjoyable to which birds and insects can feed. By looking
the stress of city life.
• Supporting services like water and have coffee in the late afternoon and watch after the environment on our estate, we can
this little guy taking on sparrows, finches, strengthen the word ‘’country’’ in Blue Valley
nutrient cycling to produce biomass weavers and even doves all on his own. Golf and Country Estate. BV
(plants) keeps our water clean, clear
and free of bad odours, providing water Predators are indicators of a healthy
and food for the birds and animals on ecosystem. There was a pair of Marsh Owls
the estate. The plants not only supply
seen flying up and down over the wetland
food for the wildlife but also help with early in the evening, but since work was done Pin-tailed Wydah
the production of oxygen that we need in the wetland, they are not seen anymore.
to breathe; they also lock up carbon Recently a beautiful Malachite Kingfisher was
which helps to reduce global warming. seen at the fishpond looking for something to
Biodiversity (variety of plants and
eat. During the night you will hear a bird that
animals) is very important for a healthy
is quite active, and chances are good that it is
a Spotted Thick Knee, which is predominantly
nocturnal.
At night in summer, you will also hear the
frogs. It is a very comforting noise when they
are in the wetland but it is quite a different
story when 13 of them form a choir at the
fishpond right under your window while you
are trying to sleep! There are also two other
frog species namely the African Bullfrog as
well as the Giant Bullfrog. The Giant Bullfrog
is classified as ‘’protected’’ (NEMBA status)
and ‘’red listed’’ (IUCN status). The Giant
Bullfrog is southern Africa’s biggest frog with
a maximum size of 245mm and weighing
1,4kg.

The value of these frogs is that they eat
termites (one of the biggest threats to
Malachite Kingfisher buildings and infrastructure), rodents (rats,
mice, etc.) and even keep snakes at bay.

BLUE VALLEY NEWS • Issue 5 2020 • 17