Lower Silvermine River: Eastside
Note: the given coordinates are for Step 1 and not the final location!
This cache was formerly known as Clovelly Wetlands Revisited and has been completely updated in accordance with various changes at the site.
An enjoyable, educational, family-friendly short walk around these wetlands set in a small rehabilitated floodplain nature reserve between Clovelly and Fish Hoek which (apparently) has a self guided Blind Trail and is a Cape Town Tourism Designated destination.
It is an important ecological area providing vital protected habitat for numerous species of birds, mammals, plants, reptiles & insects. It has several ponds (some overgrown by bulrushes) and a1.8 km gravel path with boardwalks, bridges and stepping stones around the perimeter and crossing through the wetlands.
The reserve protects a section of Hangklip Sand Fynbos as well as the indigenous Cape wetlands of the Silvermine River. It was rehabilitated due to local flooding problems, and the original indigenous species are being reintroduced, replacing the problematic alien vegetation that is gradually being cleared.
Silvermine River Wetlands Route is a notable bird watching location with over 50 bird species recorded, though some are no longer seen - see the list here.
It is also a breeding ground for many amphibians, including the endangered endangered Western Leopard Toad (see photo), Arum Lily Frog, Cape River Frog and Clicking Stream Frog. Other species such as the Cape Platanna unfortunately seem now to be locally extinct.
There are several small mammal species here too, such as porcupine, cape clawless otter (see photo), grysbock and mongoose.
Alien vegetation is still a threat, as is the excessive proliferation of the indigenous Bulrush (Typha) which is caused by unnatural quantities of minerals and nutrients being washed into the wetland from urban storm water – and periodic failures of the sewerage 
pumping system.
For an interesting and detailed history of the wetlands see here. See also here for more details of the wetland flora & fauna & facilities.
In March 2012, the arrival of a Little Crake (see photo) at the wetlands was the cause of huge excitement as it was the first sighting of this bird in Africa south of the equator. Birders (‘twitchers’) from as far away as Durban & Johannesberg flew in to see this little brown wader! At one time more than 50birders were present at the 
2nd gabion pool – many equipped with some very impressive lenses -to watch and photograph the bird, which was entirely focused on feeding & not disturbed by all the frantic activity. See here and here for this story and some great shots of the bird.
Enjoy your exploration of the wetlands!
If you see any interesting creatures during your walk, it would be nice to mention this in your log...
To Find the Cache:
Park in the car park close to . . .
Step 1: at S 34 07.884 E 18 26.223 is a large new 3-sided signboard with lots of information and a map on the Lower Silvermine Wetlands. On the ‘Conservation Area board there are some 15 boxes advising what can and cannot be done. The box at the bottom right has creature in it with A letters in its name
Step 2: Proceed to S 34 07.843 E 18 26.173 where you will find another older information board again with 15 advisory red boxes on it. The middle box shows an object related to a kind of popular outdoor activity. B = alphanumeric value (A=1 B=2 C=3 etc) value of the 2nd letter of the name of this object.
Step 3: Onwards to S 34 07.823 E 18 26.077 and an information board on mosaics of 'the small 5' created by local residents and installed throughout the Reserve. The alphanumeric value of the 1st letter of the name of the small creature in the centre mosaic = C
Step 4: Now cross over the wetland on the boardwalk to S 34 07.850 E 18 26.036 where you will find another information board on mosaics - this one on 'The Big 5'. The alphanumeric value of the 3rd (or 4th) letter of the name of the potentially dangerous creature shown in the last mosaic on the right = D
Step 5: Now on to S 34 07.817 E 18 25.984 where you will find another signboard - this one about The Dykes which were built to control flooding of the river. The information on this board is taken from a book published in 19E4
Step 6: Carry on to S 34 07.795 E 18 25.966 where you will see a bench with a small plaque on it commemorating Charlie Crida who was born in 19F9.
Step 7: Continue to S 34 07.775 E 18 25.951 the western end of a set of stepping stones. Cross over these which skirt the top of the 2nd gabion pond – where the famous Little Crake was sighted – and continue to the steps on the other side. On the side of these @ S 34 07.748 E 18 25.978 is a small plaque commemorating loving mother and grandmother Elaine Rita. The alphanumeric value of the 4th letter of her Surname (last name) = G
Note: you may wish to count the number of stepping stones as you cross them as you will need this information for Multi #2
The cache, a small cylindrical camo-container can be found at:
S 34 07.EFD E 18 2(B+G).(A-C)(B+F)B
