Barrydale Online

KAPS held a sterilization clinic in Barrydale on the 23^rd of February.  20 dogs and 20 cats were operated on.  KAPS would like to thank Dr Awie de Villiers for his time and hard work, as well as the Rugby Club for letting them use the hall as an operating theatre. In the photo Dr de Villiers is operating on a dog - he is also educating local children.

The annual moult that all our garden birds undergo is now almost complete.

The last portion of plumage to be replaced is the tail, and because the tail is used in flight, the old feathers are seldom dropped en masse, unless they are specially elongated ones (like those of male sugarbirds or Pin-tailed Whydahs) used in courtship displays. The new, growing tail feathers can be seen in species such as the Common Starling because the outer ones tend to stick out sideways.  This can make for a striking appearance in the Fork-tailed Drongo, when two or three outward curved feathers decorate each side of the tail and turn it into a triple-fork-tailed drongo!

Les Minter phoned to say he had seen a Fiscal Shrike impaling a grasshopper on a strand of a barbwire fence.  This impaling behaviour...

The Municipality has started level 2 water restrictions in Barrydale, with immediate effect.

In summary:  Level 1.
All consumers requested to effect a 30% saving;
No watering of sports fields, except for putting and bowling greens;
PLUS Level2:

Update Amendment:  Due to low water pressure in Tennant Street and properties situated north east of Tennant Street the current water restrictions in this area are amended  as follows:

The watering of gardens is only allowed between 07h00 to 09h00 and 18h00 to 20h00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Watering of gardens from 07h00 to 09h00 mornings and 18h00 to 20h00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Washing of cars, boats and caravans in those same hours, but using buckets only. Hosing of paving, cement surfaces prohibitted.

Fines: R1000 per offence. Service may be restricted or suspended if transgressions continue.

(Take a look at our rainfall stats under "Barrydale Weather Report" on the right of the website).

Walking through the Karoo
to raise water awareness

http://walkingforwater.blogspot.com/

On 24 February 2010, husband and wife team Gerry and Wouna le Roux will embark on Walking for Water, a 3-week endurance walk in excess of 800km from the Eastern Cape Coast to the West Coast of South Africa, in a bid to raise awareness about the importance of water as a limited natural resource in the country.
The walk will start in Jeffreys Bay, south of Port Elizabeth, follow the R62 route through the Klein Karoo, and is anticipated to finish in Yzerfontein on the West Coast on 18 March. Along the way they will be hosted free of charge at B&B's and Guesthouses. In Barrydale Karen and Mark will accommodate them free of charge at the Barrydale Backpackers/ Dung Beetle (028)572 1053.

As such, the walk passes through areas suffering the worst droughts in at least 50 years. By doing this walk, " We hope to do our bit to raise awareness of the critical importance of water in South Africa”, says Gerry le Roux. “We are not a water rich country, and we need to treat our limited water supply with respect. Given the current situation in the region, the importance of limiting water wastage goes without saying, but even in areas not suffering water shortages, more care needs to be taken by individuals and industry not to add to the already dangerously high levels of water pollution in the country.”

Dear All, Friends of the Baboons,

This is a fairly quick follow up on our recent newsletter --- a few “gremlins” got into that one and mixed up some of the dates and the banking details – so we apologise for this. Here are the correct bank details: ‘Cape CROW’, A/C. 4074638938, ABSA, Branch: Barrydale 334213

The DVD we spoke of is now available and all proceeds from the sales of these support the work at Cape CROW.
Details for purchase are R120.00 per DVD and R25.00 local postage or R75.00 overseas postage.

To order email Nola at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 028-5721643 OR Andrew Schofield at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or  phone 082-5602-793.

Another important fund raising event to diarise and support – Renowned French singer Daniele Pascal is giving two benefit concerts over the weekend of the 26/27th February