The www.how (who, what & where) of the

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

North Durban Honorary Officers

WHO is an Honorary Officer ?

Any person, over the age of 18 Years, who has a passion for, and wishes to contribute towards, nature conservation and who can give a minimum of 6 hours of their time (2 duties) and attend 1 meeting, a month.

WHAT does an Honorary Officer do ?

They volunteer their services, free and gratis, to supplement and support the staff of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in a variety of activities within the group e.g. the monitoring and data collection of fish caught off the local beaches and brought in at boat launch sites in the area; assist with hosting school groups and undertaking educational walks within Beachwood Mangroves; control and eradication of alien, invasive plants in the Reserves under the group’s control; bird, fish, bat and tree identification, snare patrols, manning displays at shows; maintenance work in the Reserves and a host of other activities – something for everyone.

WHERE to find the North Durban Honorary Officers ?

At Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve, north bank of the Umgeni River, entrance under the M4. The North Durban Honorary Officers are a Coastal Marine group and assist their local Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Conservation Manager with conservation in the Beachwood and Umhlanga Reserves and on the beaches from the Umgeni River in the south to the Tongaat River in the north.

HOW to find out more about the Honorary Officers ?

Visitors are always welcome, so contact the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Conservation Manager, Basil Pather on 082-5592839 for further information on Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve or diarize one of the following dates to find out more about the role of the Honorary Officer :-

1st Thursday of each month: 7pm Beachwood Mangroves, monthly meeting.

Visitors welcome. Activities are discussed and planned for the month ahead.

3rd Saturday of each month: 8am to 1pm Beachwood Mangroves, Open Mornings.

Bring the family and enjoy a walk through the Reserve. If birds are your interest, be there at 8am for a guided bird ID walk. Honorary Officers on hand to answer questions. Refreshments on sale.

01 May : 10am to 4pm Beachwood Mangroves, annual Open Day – Entrance free !!

Fun and games for the whole family. Stalls and stands, food and games.

Our Base -

BEACHWOOD MANGROVES NATURE RESERVE

The Reserve.

Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve was proclaimed on the 12th May 1977 and is 76ha in extent. The reserve which is a National Monument, consists of a mangrove swamp forest, coastal dunes and an important estuarine habitat, and is situated at the mouth of the Umgeni River. Access to the Reserve, which is open by appointment only or on the 3rd Saturday of each month from 8am to 1pm, is off Riverside Road in Durban North. No accommodation, caravanning or camping facilities are available in the Reserve.

There are 2 trails in the reserve, which offer an opportunity to explore, by means of a raised boardwalk, the animal and plant life in the mangrove forest and adjacent grasslands. The southern area of the reserve, near the Umgeni estuary, has an activities centre, consisting of a thatched gazebo, picnic / braai area and toilets which are available for use by educational groups wishing to visit the Reserve.

For further information please contact the Conservation Manager, Mr. Basil Pather :-

P.O. Box 930, Umhlanga Rocks, 4320. Phone No. 082 5592839.

The Mangrove eco-system.

Mangroves are only found in tropical or sub-tropical waters due to their need for consistently warm conditions. Although Mangrove trees are salt-resistant, they need fresh water to achieve moderate salinity levels. An estuary is thus the ideal place as it provides a mix of salt water (in this case from the Indian Ocean) and fresh water (from the Umgeni River). It is however a harsh environment for plants to survive in, as it is constantly changing (with the movement of the tides) and due to the fact that the water-logged soil contains little oxygen. Mangrove trees thus, have special adaptations enabling them to survive and develop. Their aerial breathing roots have become adapted to absorb oxygen from the air, and their seeds germinate quickly, anchoring almost immediately, when they fall to the ground.

The animals too have special adaptations enabling them to live in these unique conditions:- You will see crabs, such as the tiny Fiddler crabs, the males of which have an enlarged, brightly coloured claw that is used in defense and courtship. The Red mangrove crabs which entertain visitors as they fight over the fallen mangrove leaves, their favorite food, and the large but shy Tangoman crab. Then there are the climbing whelks, whose presence indicates a healthy mangrove system; and the popular Mudskippers, small amphibious fish that can remain out of water for short periods, and move on land by using their adapted pectoral fins as levers. You might spot the Nile (Water) Monitor, and see spoor of the solitary Water Mongoose. The KZN Dwarf Chameleon is another of Beachwood’s special and rare inhabitants. And not to forget the diverse and beautiful Bird Life. Residents and migrants, waders and forest dwellers, from the tiniest seed-eaters to the magnificent eagles, Beachwood sees them all !