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Agtergrond:
Die Seekoei Natuurreservaat beslaan 'n area van oor die 60 hektaar. Dit is geleë rondom die strandmeer wat gevorm word deur die samevloeiing van die Swartrivier en die Seekoeirivier. Dit is hierdie unieke ligging wat aan die reservaat 'n besonderse bekoring gee wat gepaard gaan met 'n uitsonderlike natuurlike bio-diversiteit. Die ligging is ook die rede waarom 'n groot gedeelte van die reservaat slegs bereik kan word met 'n klein pont.
Die natuurlike plantegroei bestaan hoofsaaklik uit Oos-Kaapse bosveld wat kenmerkend bestaan uit half sukkulente doringagtige plante wat 'n digte plantegroei profiel vorm. Daar is ook areas van kus- en rivierstruike wat bydra tot die groen vegetatiewe deversiteit van die reservaat en aanskoulike fynbos wat endemies is aan Suid-Afrika.
Hierdie plantegroei is die natuurlike habitat vir 'n hele aantal dierspesies, insluitend meer as 120 verskillende voëlsoorte. Wild wat in die reservaat aangeteken is, sluit verskillende duikers, bosvark, rooikat, muishond, ystervark, skilpad en die Kaapse muskeljaatkat in. Uitsonderlike voëls sluit die visarend en die fassinerende flaminke in.
Daar is 'n aantal wandelpaaie in die reservaat wat wissel van 1 tot 3 kilometer, waarvan eersgenoemde 'n voëlskuiling en laasgenoemde 'n rivierkruising met 'n pont insluit.
Ter wille van die bewaring van die natuurlike hulpbronne in die Seekoeireservaat, word hengel en bootvaart nie toegelaat in die strandmeer nie. Honde word ook nie in die reservaat toegelaat nie en die pluk van veldblomme of uithaal van enige plante is ontoelaatbaar.
Die Skat:
Om by hierdie skat uit te kom, moet mens voorbereid wees om 'n ent deur die veld te stap. Die voetpaadjies is op plekke toegegroei en daar is baie doringagtige plante - dit is raadsaam om 'n langbroek aan te trek om jou bene teen krappe te beskerm. Die area is ook bekend daarvoor dat die dodelik giftige pofadder hier voorkom. Anders as meeste ander slange vlug hierdie slang nie wanneer dit mens of dier voel nader kom nie, maar maak staat op sy goeie kamoeflering. Hy sal verseker byt as jy op hom trap - dra verkieslik toe skoene of leer stewels en kyk mooi waar jy trap!.
Gedurende kantoorure, wanneer die toegangshek oop is, kan jy met die pad inry tot by die kantoor en daar parkeer. Die skuiling waar die skat versteek is, is slegs 140m vanaf die T2 ruitverwysing.
Indien die hek toe is, moet jy buite die hek parkeer en in stap tot by die skuiling - daar is 'n voetganger ingang aan die regterkant van die hek. Ongeveer 200m van die hek af, is 'n bordjie wat die eerste voetpad se begin aandui (T0). Hiervandaan is dit ongeveer nog 530m tot by die skuiling. Indien jy nie so ver in die veld wil stap nie, kan jy vir ongeveer nog 380m op die grondpad bly waar jy die tweede bordjie sal kry wat 'n voetpad aandui (T1). Van hier af is dit slegs 310m se stap deur die veld.
Die voëlskuiling is ongelukkig in 'n swak toestand en taamlik ver van die water af. Indien jy gelukkig is en goeie voël foto's kry, deel dit gerus hier!
Seekoei Reserve Bird Hide
Background:
The Seekoei Nature Reserve occupies a total area of more than 60 hectares. It's geographic location, on the estuary formed by the confluence of the Swart River and the Seekoei River, adds another dimension of beauty and natural abundance. This is also the reason for which a large portion of the reserve can only be reached by using a small pontoon (a flat boat). The natural vegetation consists mainly of Eastern Cape thicket, which is characterised by semi-succulent, thorny plants that form a dense floral profile. There are also areas of river and coastal scrub, which adds greenery and lushness to the reserve, and spectacular coastal fynbos, which is endemic to South Africa.
This flora is the natural habitat for a number of animal species, including more than 120 different kinds of birds. Wildlife that can be spotted here includes different duikers, bush pig, caracal, mongoose, porcupine, the ungulate tortoise, and the spotted genet (or Cape genet). Notable birds include the magnificent fish eagle and the fascinating flamingo.
There are a number of hikes and walking trails through the Seekoei Nature Reserve. These range from one kilometre to three kilometres, the former of which includes a bird hide and the latter a river crossing.
Because of the natural value of the Seekoei Nature Reserve, no fishing or boating is permitted on the estuary. In addition, dogs are prohibited, as is the picking or removing of any plants.
The Cache:
To get to this cache, one must be prepared to walk some distance through the veld. The footpaths are overgrown in some places and there are many thorny plants - it is advisable to wear longs to protect your legs against scratches. The area is also known to be a habitat for the deadly poisonous puffadder. Unlike most other snakes, this one won't flee when it senses man or beast approaching, but rather relies on its excellent camouflage. It will surely bite if you step on it - preferably wear closed shoes or leather boots and look carefully where you tread!
During office hours, while the entrance gate is open, you can drive in with the road and park at the offices. The bird hide where the cache is hidden, is only 140m from the T2 waypoint.
If the gate is closed, you have to park outside and walk in to the hide - there is a pedestrian entrance on the righthand side of the gate. Roughly 200m from the gate is a small signboard indicating the first trailhead (T0). From here it is about a further 530m to the bird hide. if you don't want to walk that far in the veld, you can stick for a further 380m onto the dirt road till where you'll see the second trailhead signboard (T1). From here it is only a 310m walk through the veld.
The bird hide is unfortunately in a poor state of repair and rather far from the water. If you are lucky to get a few good bird pictures, you are welcome to share it here!