Cumberland Bird Sanctuary still open after controlled burn

The Cumberland Bird Sanctuary in Bryanston is open to residents who wish to enjoy a relaxing walk and birdlife.

According to resident Frank Barnes, the sanctuary is open on the first Sunday of every month for bird enthusiast to come and enjoy the protected park which is just opposite the Bryanston Country Club, with its entrance on Cumberland Road.

Barnes said that the park is maintained by Johannesburg City Parks and Zoos (JCPZ), but he helps look after it.

“There is almost a 100 different bird species in the sanctuary, which includes a few exotic birds.”

There are several park benches, a bird hide and bridges on the four-kilometre route around the park.

Residents in the area recently had a fright when a controlled burn was done at the park.

Barnes said the burn was done on 16 and 17 August. “Other than burning firebreaks, because it is a legal obligation, JCPZ protected areas unit uses fire as a management tool where the veld is burned for ecological reasons.”

He continued that following the burn, it will take some time for the park to recover, but it will look a lot better after the first rains.

The reasons for a controlled burn is to:

• Burn grass to remove fuel load or tall grass
• Stimulate grass growth
• Reduce the amount of alien plants or encroaching plants
• Kill parasites that might be in the grasses.

Mike Wood, Ward 104 councillor said that the park requires litter bins, more benches and another bridge and they are looking for donations for these items.

“I encourage residents in my ward to take back the parks and the open spaces such as the greenbelts.”

Wood said that residents should adopt the green areas. “Its impossible to remove all the displaced people, because if we lose them, it is very hard to get the parks back.”

With regards to the cleaning of the river area, Wood said the problem is, they can be in the river and picking up rubbish, but there are rules and regulations to be in the water. He added they plan to also do a cleanup of the park in the future as part of the mayor’s monthly cleanup campaign.

Have you paid a visit to the bird sanctuary? Share your stories with us on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page