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Category Archives: Environment
Franschhoek River
The Franschhoek River is a ‘hotspot’ of pollution in the Berg River Catchment. This is why two intrepid bikers visited the river as part of an epic journey that involved a mad dash from the Breede River to Berg River … Continue reading
Posted in Environment
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EXTRAORDINARY WORLD OF DIAMONDS
Q&A with Nick Norman, author of the newly released book THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD OF DIAMONDS, published by Jacana Why did you write a book about diamonds? Is it the history or the science that appeals to you? Diamond is a … Continue reading
Posted in Environment
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Water – Earth’s Most Precious Natural Resource
What better way to spend a hot summers’ day – lolling on a lilo in the pool, with a drink in hand, staring at the clouds – ‘The Good Life’, which would be impossible without water.
Posted in Environment
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Sweet as Sugar
Probably the most well-known bird in Franschhoek, recognized even by non-birders, is the Cape Sugarbird (Promerops cafer). Due to our close proximity to the fynbos-covered mountains and the fact that many people grow Proteas and have nectar feeders,
Posted in Birds of the Valley
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Return of the Steppes
Last month we talked about the commonly found Jackal Buzzard and I mentioned that its friend, the Steppe Buzzard would soon be back. At time of writing, some Steppe’s have indeed been spotted so you should start keeping an eye … Continue reading
Posted in Birds of the Valley
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Why Climate Change Doesn’t Matter
When I read the above headline earlier this year I was shocked. Not because someone thought that climate change doesn’t matter but rather because the article was written by Stephen Lacey. I’ve read many articles by Stephen
Posted in Environment
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Franschhoek SPCA November 2010 News
EDUCATION OF OUR YOUTH IN LOCAL SCHOOLS Polly Meyer and Anita Hendrich hold classes in our local schools. The classes, whilst very serious in content and message, are made to be fun and enjoyable. The students are taught how to … Continue reading
Posted in Franschhoek SPCA
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What’s the Buzz about Buzzards?
Franschhoek is home to a number of raptors throughout the year and one bird is found more often than others, the Jackal Buzzard (Buteo rufofuscus). “Rufofuscus” means “dusky red” or “rufous” as we in the birding world call it, which … Continue reading
Posted in Birds of the Valley
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SPCA News September 2010
Another very busy month for your SPCA with apart from our normal work in the field and at our two weekly clinics Monday and Wednesday from 5pm, we also held another of our very important sterilisation drives where a further … Continue reading
Posted in Franschhoek SPCA
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Moving Beyond Petroleum
On 27 July while Londoners were wiping the sleep from their eyes Greenpeace activists were busy shutting down all 50 BP petrol stations across the city. Fuel supply was cut by removing the safety switches on the forecourts. At one … Continue reading
Posted in Environment
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Q & A – Herbert Heinrich on Whaling
1. You are passionate about the Sea Shepard Conservation Society (SSCS). What is your involvement? While living in Kenya some thirty years ago, I researched various NGOs with respect to their approach and attitude towards wild life protection. It was Sea … Continue reading
Posted in Environment
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Birdlife Berg River News September 2010
The bird club has been busy this month with an outing to Lynedoch Eco-village in Stellenbosch where we drew up a winter bird list for them. We did the yearly winter CAR count, a number of atlasing days were held … Continue reading
Posted in Birds of the Valley, Franschhoek Tatler
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Climate – A Disastrous Month
Climate scientists must be wondering whether to laugh or cry. July and August have been extraordinary months for anyone with an interest in climate science. We’ve seen horrific flooding in China and Pakistan as well as many other regions in … Continue reading
Posted in Environment
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Cape Canaries Are Calling
Walking down the beautiful streets of Franschhoek, you will be forgiven for breaking out in song and singing “the streets are alive, with the sound of bird-song” to that famous tune from The Sound of Music. The Cape Canaries (Serinus … Continue reading
Posted in Birds of the Valley
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Artificial Wetland
Haut Espoir, well known as being one of the most environmentally conscious wineries in the Franschhoek Valley, recently commissioned an artificial / constructed wetland to treat cellar effluent.
Definitely not a porcupine!
As most Tatler readers no doubt know Boekenhoutskloof at the far end of the valley is also the home of Porcupine Ridge Wines
Posted in Environment, Franschhoek Tatler
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