R300 Toll Road - Zandvlei Nature Reserve

Zandvlei Trust

Zandvlei Nature Reserve

This picture is looking west towards Constantiaberg in the background, within the Road Reserve
north of Zandvlei Nature Reserve. A closeup of the flowerhead, the host plant of the very rare Kedestes barberae bunta (Barber’s ranger) Butterfly.

Critical and important land required for the sustainability of the following

In the foreground is Imperata cylindrica (Cottonwool grass) in flower, on the 18/12/2001. This is the host plant for the Barber's ranger, a rare butterfly.
This is the only Cottonwool grass in the Zandvlei Nature Reserve area and one of the 3 known remaining isolated pockets on the Cape Flats.
There are 12 plant species in the Road Reserve which, do not occur in the Zandvlei Nature Reserve.

The Road Reserve area is an important Kedestes barberae bunta
summer foraging area for the endangered (Barber’s ranger) Butterfly.
Western Leopard Toad (Bufo pantherinus)
at Zandvlei.

Bird and some other facts

This Dikkop hen sitting on her eggs in the Road Reserve during December 2001. These young Blackwinged Stilts were ringed at Zandvlei in January 2002 at 3 days old. Click to see more .

This is the Snowy Egret which is at Zandvlei on the boundary of the Road Reserve, that everyone wants to see. This is a first recording of this bird on the African continent, first sighted by Clifford Dorse (Manager – Zandvlei Nature Reserve) on 23/04/2002.

Zandvlei Nature Reserve was established in 1977. It comprises 24ha of aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
Click on the links below in green.

It has recorded 152 bird species. 5 red data species are recorded.
Zandvlei is the most south western Estuary in Southern Africa and the only viable Estuary on the False Bay Coast, providing a haven to 23 the indigenous species of fish and is a nursery for valuable marine fish stock as well. 1 red data specie is listed.
It has 20 species of Mammals
It records 18 species of Reptiles and 6 species of Amphibians 1 red data specie is listed.
The extensive Insect list is still being compiled.
161 plant species, with 7 Red Data species has been listed.
The Education Centre provides local schools with the facilities for their education syllabus. A weekly education programme takes place with local schools walking to the Nature Reserve.
The Toll Road would be major physical and noise barrier to the residents and school children of Norfolk Park, Frogmore Estate, Sheradon Park, Coniston Park, Zerilda Park, parts of Marina da Gama also Seawinds and Vrygrond.
Further it would isolate the new Langevlei Wetland at the confluence of the Langevlei and Sand Rivers, from the Zandvlei Nature Reserve. This Wetland is an extension of the Nature Reserve for the above local Communities, and enhances these residential areas. The Wetland serves both recreational and educational purposes to bring the adults and children closer to Nature.