The Golden Pagoda
Outramps CREW Diaries
Tuesday
9th April 2019
“Cynicism has never won a war, or cured a disease, or started a business, or fed young minds. I believe in optimism. I believe in hope… Don’t let the cynics get you down. Cynicism is a choice – And hope is a better choice.”
- Barack Obama
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ALBUM 9th April 2019
For captions or info click on i on the top right-hand side. A good way to go - the Slideshow is found at the top of the page on the rt hand side by clicking on the 3 dots. Featured this week – Kleinmond, Flanagans Rock, Shothole Borer Beetle Project, Gouritz Bridge and Perdepoort West in the northern foothills of the Outeniquas.
For names and captions of the photos used on this version of the Reportback - see the Album.
For earlier versions of the Outramps CREW Diaries
https://us17.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=be2accf3de565e1297257f79e&id=8113ba68c6
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Kleinmond
Werner and I joined Magriet, Chris, Linkie and Richard along with Mike Pirie on an Erica-fuelled weekend in Kleinmond. The Saturday was spent exploring the mountains above Kleinmond, where no less than 17 Ericas were seen - a total of 22 species over the course of the weekend. They were all meticulously logged by Werner, whose knowledge of Ericas has now far surpassed mine. The highlight of the day was the very range-restricted Erica pillansii (Rare) which was in full flower.
On Sunday, Magriet took us to see Haemanthus canaliculatus (Endangered), which has sprung up amongst the burnt-out houses of Betty's Bay. After this excitement we headed for a short hike at Hangklip. Here, we were treated to a grand display of Gladiolus carmineus (Vulnerable), which is a sister species to Gladiolus sempervirens (Rare).
Kleinmond is definitely not short of treasures and I can't wait to see what the region looks like in Spring!
The observations for the weekend can be found with the iNaturalist tag Erica Weekend 20190323-24.
Peter
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Flanagans Rock
Wednesday 3rd April 2019
Bill and I joined Wags on Wednesday for our first post-burn visit to Flanagans Rock on the northern side of Cradock Peak. The all-consuming fires were blazing last year around the 27th October 2018. It was a cool, crisp morning with a definite hint of autumn in the air.
The veld is looking gorgeous and Lanaria lanata, Corymbium glabrum, Bobartia aphylla, Gladiolus rogersii, Senecio crenata and Watsonia pillansii coloured the kaleidoscope with cream, magenta, purple, yellow and orange against a backdrop of bright, vivid green. The Proteaceae regeneration is proceeding well.
Along the track there was plenty of Indigofera sp. 19 (Not evaluated) coming up. With Brian (The Boy and now Mr. Fab) being awarded a Fellowship by UCT, he will soon be taking over the South African Indigoferas from Dr Brian Schrire of Kew.
Lobelia dichroma (Data Deficient) is also responding well post-fire. The little rock face close to the track boasted about 10 plants. Very gratifying! Some day or other, we need to bundu-bash a bit higher and do a count of the total population on the Flanagans Rock hike.
A great day out with good friends, beautiful scenery and spectacular plants. We are so privileged to live where we do.
tanniedi
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Shot Hole Borer Projects launched
at Pledge Nature Reserve in Knysna
During the past week, Prof. Wilhelm de Beer of FABI and Prof. Francois Roets from Stellenbosch University visited the Southern Cape to launch two research projects on the impact of the Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB) on native trees in the area. It was discovered last year that the beetle and its fungus infest native trees in the gardens of George and Knysna.
Over the next two years, two Master's students, Elmar van Rooyen and Garyn Townsend will regularly survey the forests around George and Knysna. Elmar is based at Stellenbosch University, and Garyn is based at Rhodes University, but registered at the University of Pretoria.
The aim of these projects is to determine 1) the rate of spread of the beetle, 2) which native tree species are infested and 3) what the impact of the beetle and its fungus will be on these native trees. To date, the beetle has been recorded from 35 native host tree species in South Africa. During this week's surveys, the beetle was found on several more tree species.
The students are currently doing fungal isolations and identifications of the beetles and fungi to confirm whether all of these represent the PSHB. Although the beetle and fungus will definitely not kill all the native tree species that it infests, there might be some species at risk of being killed and thus removed from sensitive ecosystems.
The PSHB has made headlines again during the past week, with articles in the Sunday Times, Rapport, and the George Herald. The latter newspaper also placed a video of an interview with Prof. De Beer on Youtube.
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Trip to Gouritsmond and Bridge
Thursday 28th March 2019
We set out to explore the area around the Gourits bridge, where it crosses the N2 near Albertinia. The region is more arid than the surrounding area and we expected to find a Delosperma and Haworthia mucronata. After looking around and not finding any Delosperma we trudged along the railway line and came upon a population of Strumaria gemmata (LC) in full flower. These plants seemed to prefer the disturbed spots that meerkats have used as burrows with deep, rich, red, loamy soil. Also present was Crossyne guttata in full seed.
The day seemed a bit of a waste and we decided to investigate the population of Erica viscosissima (NT) from near Gouritsmond. It had burned in 2018. I had visited this site a few months ago, but there were no signs of seedlings. While on our way there we stopped to check on a tall Erica in flower thinking it might be Erica baurii, but alas nay. We however found Protea obtusifolia (Near Threatened), Senecio lycopodioides (Vulnerable) in flower, together with Agathosma geniculata (Near Threatened) and Aspalathus obtusifolia (Vulnerable). Seedlings of Erica viscosissima were present in large quantities and Corné suggested we do a quick population count. A 2m x 2m square yielded 45 seedlings so far (with one dead) and we decided to return for a full count later when the plants were larger. They seem to come up like hairs on a dog’s back, but whether they will all survive is another question.
After a refreshment stop we drove back and spotted Delosperma neethlingiae (Data Deficient) and Indigofera nigromontana in full flower.
All in all, the day had turned out to be not such a disaster after all.
Priscilla
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The Golden Pagoda
Friday 29th March 2019
"I suffer from retrogressive amnesia". You may have noticed this over the years. I only remember the good parts and tend to shut out the bad.
Yesterday had some bad parts. I had forgotten that the climb up from Alwyn Henning's farm was such a toughie. It was very hot, very steep and water was at a premium. Kath was very dehydrated and hot and Dave poured a bottle of water over her and into her to cool her down. Jo-Anne's boot decided to part company with the sole and they had to be bandaged together to survive the day. By the time we loaded Nicky into the Bus, she looked as if she’d walked out of the First World War trenches having knocked a big hole in her shin. Disappointingly, Dave didn’t find any M. chrysanthus further west. And last, but not least, we had to say goodbye to Kath (Jen's sister from the UK), who we have grown to love.
But there were lots of good bits – unusually, the BOB behaved impeccably, it was great to have Dave with us again, there was the creation of the Minitramps as a division of the Outramps, there were the lovely youngsters who joined us, the Golden Pagoda was in full bloom, two Disa arida flourished in the drought-stricken surroundings, pink champagne sparkled to celebrate the Minitramps and meeting Brittany. She is the granddaughter of Gerald Maclear, who was with me in 1996 when we first discovered the 2nd only known locality of Mimetes chrysanthus on the western head of Perdepoort. How’s that for an incredible coincidence? Brittany is doing a Nature Conservation Diploma course at NMU. Also with us on the day was Kirran Barnes from NMU and Jo-Anne King, who is our very youthful and effcient Chairman of the Garden Route Branch of Bot. Soc.
We got our timing absolutely right and Mimetes chrysanthus (Vulnerable) had on her best "bib and tucker" for the day. Kirran was way ahead of us most of the time and it was his sharp eyes that found the first Disa arida (Endangered). We only saw 2 plants all day. Lotonis elongata (Endangered) completed the trio of Rares for the day.
Bosses take notice - the average age of the Outramps has plummeted once again. We will do the Maths and give you an accurate figure next week. Yippee!
And last, but not least, a big thank you to Alwyn Henning for giving us access over the farm.
tanniedi
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