Greetings to all Friends of Die Oog

It’s hard to believe that it is already September when we would usually meet for our AGM. This year we will not hold this meeting, due to the stringent Covid-19 regulations. However, what a blessing that we can again enjoy outdoor places like Die Oog.

Thank you to those who have already renewed your memberships for 2020. Your contributions and donations really do make a difference and go a long way in assisting us to keep Die Oog maintained. As there will not be an opportunity to renew the annual membership of R50 at the AGM, please would you consider renewing either via EFT, or by using Snapscan, banking details on our website.
Renew Now
Image Credit: Jean Tresfon

Travelling Toads

Winter rains have greatly assisted in partially replenishing the dam after completely drying up this last summer. This hopefully augurs well for our own annual animal migration.Yes, it’s that toadally awesome time of the year again when the endemic and endangered Western Leopard Toads migrate from their garden homes to various water bodies, like Die Oog, to breed.

These toads live and breed in low lying areas around Cape Town including Noordhoek, Zeekoevlei, Bergvliet and Observatory. As urban development took place in these areas, the toads moved into residential gardens which is where they spend most of their time.

Now is when they migrate to water, some travelling as far as 7-8 kilometres! The males first make their way when they are ready to congregate and start calling the females with their deep, throaty, nocturnal bellows, like LOUD snoring!

There are some easy things that we can do to support the toads, most notably to SLOW down when driving during breeding season, especially on rainy nights.

As it is the Year of the Frog, the Two Oceans Aquarium has a temporary exhibit of Western Leopard Toads. Their blog has some more interesting information and you can listen to the snoring calls.

Relax and Explore

Spring is the perfect time to come and experience nature at Die Oog. Enjoy the view point, have a picnic, relax in the sunshine, and see what you can find. With such diversity of fauna and flora there is always something new to discover.

Recent sightings of the porcupines have been noted, and in early August, even a caracal was spotted at the bottom of the wetland!
In closing, please stay healthy and safe by wearing a mask, sanitising hands frequently and keeping adequate distance when necessary. Remember, too, to please keep our toads safe!

Warm regards
Joy Hodgkinson

PS: Please be on the look out for the Chairman’s report that will be circulated via email by end September.