Glencairn Vlei
Note: the coordinates given above are for the parking area
A short eco-walk for all the family in a well maintained easily accessible wetland area, home to a large variety of birds, insects, plants and reptiles including the endangered Western Leopard Toad (Bufo pantherinus). Seehttp://www.leopardtoad.co.za/ for more details of this attractive amphibian and how you can get involved with related conservation efforts.
The wetland (Vlei) is fed by the Els (also called Else or Elsies) river which has a small sluice under the Wiley Bridge controlling the outlet to the sea. The river takes its name from the elsje or rooi els trees (Red Alder, Butterspoon or Butterknife Tree - so named because of the shape of its stipules) which used to line its banks but have been displaced by alien plant invaders.
Stepping stones, sponsored by local environmentalists, permit access across the vlei during the wet season. Overflow to the marine reserve passes under a combined road and rail bridge.
Nearby is the Glencairn railway station with a subway to the long beach and its large tidal pool. The undeveloped beach is a popular surfing, swimming and board-sailing spot.
GEESE (Glencairn Education & Environment Support Enthusiasts)
Awareness of the Vlei has increased recently through the efforts of this group whose members have been active improving the vlei pathways and promoting its educational potential. Although some adjacent alien vegetation needs to cleared, the vlei with its indigenous bulrushes (Typha) and reeds (Phragmites) fortunately requires little attention.
The wetland trails have been greatly improved by the recent additions of a boardwalk, the Wiley Bridge over the Els River and stepping stones on the berm spillway making it possible to cross the vlei without getting your feet wet almost all the year round. The latest improvements have been the design, manufacture and siting of four GEESE benches (with bench ends in the shape of geese) which provide popular resting spots and the clearing of a wet corridor (almost a tunnel) across the vlei (running from approx. S 34 09.383 E 18 25.590 to S 34 09.438 E 18 25.593).
For more info contact Cilla Bromley 021 782 6400, cilla@bromley.co.za. or visit the website at www.geeseglencairn.org
Vlei Birds
Resident species: include Black-headed Heron, Grey Heron, Sacred Ibis, Hamerkop, Dabchick, Moorhen, Red-billed Teal, Egyptian Goose, African Black Duck, Yellow-billed Duck, (Cape Reed) Lesser Swamp-Warbler, (African Sedge) Little Rush-Warbler, Le Vaillant's Cisticola, Greater Painted Snipe (scarce). Also notable are Blacksmith Plovers that settle every year on the vegetated prominence between the Vlei and the Southern Right Hotel, easily identifiable by their characteristic “tink, tink, tink” warning-call
Summer visitors: (from Russia) Barn Swallow, Steppe Buzzard
(from north of the Limpopo River) Diedrik Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Red-chested Cuckoo and Larger-striped Swallow
To find the cache:
Park @ or near S 34 09.615 E 18 25.784 off the south side of Glen Rd near the Southern Right Hotel. Cross Glen Rd and head for the large Glencairn Vlei information board/map to suitably orientate yourself. This is also a good moment to switch your brain on to arithmetic mode!
Step 1: Proceed via Wiley Bridge which passes over the vlei sluice outlet to the sea to S 34 09.593 E 18 25.810 where you will find a large rock memorial to John Wiley who declared the wetland a Nature Conservation Area. He entered this world in 190A
Steps 2 and 3: Follow the path around the vlei to the trio of information boards at S 34 09.403 E 18 25.719. In the Brief History section you will learn that a group of Scottish men set up the Glencairn Syndicate in 190B which purchased land in the area.
On another board are a series of 16 square boxes depicting what one should and should not do when visiting the vlei. Of these, C contain images of birds.
Step 4: Continue following the grassy path around the vlei and take a short side trail to the concrete/wooden bench viewpoint at the western end of the vlei @ S 34 09.369 E 18 25.559 which you will see has D wooden slats.
Step 5: Rejoin the main path and continue over the Van Eck bridge crossing the Els(e) River which feeds into the wetland. Pass by the shady Pooh Corner up to the Glen Rd and turn left (south-east) heading for the small church @ S 34 09.407 E 18 25.512. The number of greenish panes of stained glass in the window = E4 (This is also the number of smaller reddish panes around the perimeter of the window)
Step 6: After a short distance drop down to another lovely shady spot where a small board @ 34 09.430 E 18 25.565 will tell you that this is the Peter Salter dell which was opened on 1 February 201F.
Step 7: Follow the delightful Jungle path along the southern edge of the vlei parallel to the road above until you meet the trail crossing back over the vlei close to a concrete goose trail marker.
Take this as far as S 34 09.463 E 18 25.661 where you will find a metal manhole cover which has many diamond shapes on this cover. The number of these in the bottom row = G.
Step 8: Cross over the berm slipway (which permits crossing of the vlei during the wet season) using the stepping stones which were each sponsored by local environmental enthusiasts. The number of these (including the 1st one attached to the south side of the berm) = H8
Final: Having assembled all the clues, and using a suitable level of stealth in this popular (dog-)walking area, locate the cache, a small clik ‘n’ lock box which is hidden just off the path beneath an unusual concrete block at:
S 34 09.(F-B)(C-1)(G-A) E 18 25.(H+1)(C+E)(D-1)
Either continue back around the east end of the vlei or retrace your steps across the stepping stones and continue along the Jungle Path to your starting point – conveniently close to a local hostelry where you may need to get some well-deserved refreshment!
Check your final coordinates calculation here:
