Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve 



 Fish Eagles nesting platform, 28 th May 2002.



In the pouring rain Pottie snr, Gavin, Clifford, Elzette, Erika, Glendon, Gavin Lawson and Cherry Giljam with her peddle boat, installed the nesting platform in the Nature Reserve boundary at the edge of Zandvlei. The 8 meter tree branch is secured in a drum, in concrete. The peddle boat was used to ferry the dry concrete mix from the land to the work site, in relays. The rest of the equipment was carried through knee deep water. Thankfully the Estuary mouth was open to the sea, allowing the water level to drop about 40cm.



Cherry's ferry with Clifford off loading a bucket of concrete.

A lot of research, planning and preparation went into this project, selecting a gum tree, cutting it down, drying it out and transporting it from the forrest to the site.
The nesting platform is 1 meter square wooden frame covered in welded steel mesh. It is hoped the Fish Eagles will utilise the platform, which is based on designs used successfully elsewhere. 
It remains to be seen which species of bird makes itself at home first, in this prime avifaunal condo.