Wetlands and Water “Water and Climate change”

National Water Week raises

awareness on the use,

management, conservation and

protection of water resources.

This year it will be celebrated under

the theme “Water and Climate

Change”, with strong emphasis on

an urgent need to strengthen water

security and establish access to a

sustainable water supply in the face

of changing climate conditions

worldwide. South Africa is identified

as a water scarce country, and it up

to all South Africans to help

conserve and protect the country's

water resources.

National Water Week serves as a

powerful campaign mechanism re-

iterating the value of water and the

need for sustainable management of

this scarce resource.

Wetlands are natures “sponge” they absorb rainfall,

purify and filter harmful waste and reduce flooding in

streams and rivers. They are critical for biodiversity,

essential for many amphibians and reptiles as well as

for bird breeding and migration.

Date : March 2020

Issue 4

World Wetlands Day is celebrated globally on

2 February every year. This annual event

focuses public attention on the importance of

water, one of South Africa's most limited

resources.

Live thrives in wetlands, less than 3% of the

world’s water is fresh, and most of that is

frozen. Yet every human requires 20-50 litres

of water per day for basic drinking, cooking

and cleaning.

Wetlands provide our water needs and help

replenish the groundwater aquifers - a body of

saturated rock through which water can easily

move. The rock must be permeable and

porous e.g. sandstone, and are an important

source of fresh water for humanity.

*Source: Ramsar : a global treaty - provides the framework for

national action and international cooperation for the conservation

and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

Individual wetlands often hold

endemic species; forms of life

that unique to one particular

site. At the Bedford Wetland we

have the White-Winged Flufftail,

a critically endangered bird

which breeds in moist

grassland wetlands. The White-

winged Flufftail has been

recorded at the Bedford Wetland at Ingula.

The distinctive white feathers

giving rise to the name

‘White-winged Flufftail’ Continued……….

Wetlands and water continued

This awareness creation is coupled with the

responsibility that every citizen must take in

ensuring the integrity of our water resources

and its efficient use.

This is an important message the Ingula

Visitors Centre and the environmental team on

site took to the local primary schools to create

awareness of our wetlands and water and how

important it is to look after this precious

commodity.

Ingula team celebrates Wetlands and Water

week local school

On the 3rd March 2020 the Ingula team visited

Isiqophamithi Primary school to raise

awareness about wetlands and water

conservation. Ingula is home to the Bedford

Wetland situated on the upper site, a habitat

for critical species.

The day was filled with activities which

included a competition between learners using

their talents to showcase their knowledge

about wetlands and how water can be best

conserved, followed with videos and a

presentation.

It is essential to interact with the local

community starting with the schoolchildren so

we can instill a level of pride and the

importance of conserving the environment

around them.

SANParks Honorary Rangers Johannesburg Region hosts

two highly successful fundraisers at the Ingula Nature Reserve.

.

A total of 136 species were seen

over the two weekends (99 on the

first and 112 on the second) with

some of the special sightings

including Yellow-breasted Pipit, all

three Cranes, Southern Bald Ibis,

Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk,

Black Sparrowhawk, Ground

Woodpecker, Secretarybird, Black

Stork, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Cape

Vulture, Denham’s Bustard, and

Orange-breasted Waxbill.

The groups were guided by BirdLife

South Africa and the chairman of

the Ladysmith Birders, and BirdLife

South Africa donated a special

prize to be won through a

SANParks Honorary Rangers:

Johannesburg Region run raffle –

aiding in the fundraising for their

conservation efforts in SANParks.

The Bedford dam on the Ingula Nature Reserve, around

which most of the high-altitude grassland specials can be

seen. Photo: C Coetzer.

As a volunteer conservation organisation,

the SANParks Honorary Rangers organise

various birding weekends around the

country and channels the proceeds into

conservation. In January and February

2020, the SANParks Honorary Rangers:

Johannesburg Region hosted two birding

weekends at the Eskom owned and

managed Ingula Nature Reserve near Van

Reenen, both of which were fully booked –

a total of 40 visitors!

True to its nature, Ingula Nature Reserve

showed its visitors what escarpment

weather is like, literally blowing the visitors

off their feet with its scenery and

showering them with threatened grassland

species (and rain). But even though the

weather left much to be desired, the

birding did not disappoint!

A collage of the first weekend - 24-26 January

SANParks Honorary Rangers continued

.

A Protea on the Lookout Point. Non-birders can enjoy

the stunning scenery and abundance of flowers,

insects and small game on the Nature Reserve.

Photo: C. Coetzer

Both weekends were a huge success and

planning is already underway for the next

event – so watch this space! A big thank you

to all who participated in the arrangements of

the weekend, including Eskom management

for ensuring access to the Nature Reserve and

Visitor’s Centre’s facilities. To all visitors: we

hope to see you at Ingula again soon!

A collage of the second weekend - 8 February - 1 March

Black Sparrowhawk

Orange Breasted

Waxbill

Denham’s Bustard

Carina Coetzer, Ingula Project Manager, Peter Nelson,

Eskom Senior Environmental Consultant (Peaking) and

Stuart Galloway SANParks Honorary Rangers:

Johannesburg Region