The new False Bay Nature Reserve, including the False Bay Ecology Park (FBEP) covers 1 200Ha and has been extended to include portions of the False Bay coastline.
The False Bay Nature Reserve consists of six parts: Rondevlei, Zeekoevlei, Strandfontein Birding Section, Pelican Park Section, Slangetjiebos Section and Zandwolf Coastal Section.
Concerned bird lovers established Rondevlei as a bird sanctuary in 1952. Today, it is a well-run nature reserve, 290 hectares in extent, with a museum, an auditorium, a network of footpaths, viewing towers, and several bird hides named after well-known birders.
Strandfontein Birding Area:Rondevlei in the backround© Bruce Sutherland
There is a permanent wetland with Cape Flats sand fynbos to the north, and seasonal wetlands and Cape Flats dune strandveld in the south.
About 256 species of indigenous plants grow at Rondevlei. Rare and endangered plants are strongly nurtured: These include the Cape Flats cone bush, the Rondevlei spiderhead and the Cape Flats erica ,which became extinct in the wild. The Cape Flats erica was discovered in a botanical garden, and has since been propagated and replanted at Rondevlei.
In addition, there are 241 bird species, from ducks to herons, ibises, pelicans, weavers and more. Hippopotami have been reintroduced, and there are 20 other mammal species, including Cape grysbok, porcupine, Cape dune mole rat,Cape clawless otter and large-spotted genet.
Twenty nine types of reptiles and eight frog species have been seen. The only indigenous fish present is the Cape galaxia , while introduced alien fish species include the common carp, banded tilapia, Mozambique tilapia, mosquito fish and sharptooth catfish.
Scott Bird Hide:Rondevlei  ©City of Cape Town
For more information on Nature Reserves visit:
via Cape Town Green Map story be Bronwen Geyer
