17-07-2025
Bird life tracked in Parys' Wetland area
Feathers Bird Club members spotted 25 bird species, including some new ones, during a recent trip on June 10 to the Parys Wetlands. With these new sightings, the total number of bird species recorded at the wetlands is now 51. In addition to the birdlife, club members also saw signs of small antelope, other small mammals in the area, and frogs, indicating the wetlands' importance as a habitat for a variety of wildlife.
The grazing cattle in the area help by stirring up insects on the ground. This makes it easier for insect-eating birds to catch their food, helping to keep the area healthy.
Wetlands are important because they help filter water, prevent flooding, and provide a home for many different animals, especially birds.
'Feathers Bird Club will keep visiting the wetlands to track the bird life,' said club chairperson Martin Wolmarans. 'As the clean-up in the wetland continues, we hope more wetland birds will return to the area.'
Parys Wetland area
The Parys wetland area stretches from Tumahole down to the bottom of the Mimosa Gardens, and starts at a natural fountain behind the Viva Filling Station in Parys' industrial area.
The wetland is also a main pedestrian route for people walking daily between Tumahole, Schonkenville and Parys. It connects schools, the industrial area of Parys and residential areas.
One of the biggest threats to the Parys wetlands is water contamination caused by an overflowing or blocked sewage line.
'This causes harmful pollutants to flow into the wetland's water bodies, affecting the health of the ecosystem.,' said Dr Tara Walmsley, Biotechnology Lecturer and Researcher at Vaal University of Technology, and a member of the Parys Wetlands Project team. 'Such contamination can harm aquatic life, reduce the quality of the water, and negatively impact biodiversity. Wetlands are especially vulnerable to these pollutants because they rely on clean water to support the variety of species that live there.'
Local authorities are aware of the issue, and discussions are underway to find a solution and fix the problem. It is crucial to address this challenge to protect the biodiversity of the wetland and the species that rely on it.
Feathers Bird Club.
Anyone who enjoys birding is welcome to join Feathers Bird Club and contribute to the initiatives and activities they offer. Interested parties can contact Martin Wolmarans (0828512121), Marisa Louw (0649635386), or Tertia Pretorius (0832877470) for more information.
The next Feathers Bird Club social is on July 24 at 18:00 at Sally Martin Park Retirement Village. One of the members will share stories and pictures from their recent trip to Australia, where they saw some amazing birds. Everyone, even school children and their parents, is welcome to join.
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