The annual False Bay Nature Reserve Birdathon will take place on Saturday October 20 in the Strandfontein birding section.
Hosted by the City of Cape Town, in partnership with the Cape Town Environmental Education Trust (CTEET), BirdLife South Africa (BLSA) and the Cape Bird Club (CBC), the event will include a festival and family fun walk.
“Our False Bay Nature Reserve is an important multi-purpose open space that should be enjoyed by all our residents. The Birdathon offers families a cost-effective outing where they will be able to learn about the value of our nature reserve through fun and interactive activities.
“We hope that, through this event, we will be able to encourage greater use of the area and create awareness about the importance of this park and the birds, animals and plants that it supports,” said Brett Herron, the City’s mayoral committee member for transport and urban development.
There will be a 4km, 5km or 6km walk through the Strandfontein birding section of the False Bay Nature Reserve, with a fun environmental quiz relating to the area. There will also be a lucky draw with prizes on offer at the end of the walk. Registration will take place from 7.30am at the picnic area on the eastern shore of Zeekoevlei.
Those taking part will be able to start walking any time from 8am.
The festival will start at 9am at the Zeekoevlei eastern shore picnic area. The venue will be signposted from the access point off Strandfontein Road.
The festival will include interactive activities such as a live bird display by the Eagle Encounters Raptor Rehabilitation Centre, a reptile show and display, Jungle Theatre, as well as other exhibitions and activities such as dragon boating.
Entry to the event is R5 each, up to a maximum of R20 a family. All profits will go towards conservation activities at the site.
For more information about the event, email Helen Whelan at events@cteet.co.za