Lower Illovo site to host conservation festival
Already local birders have identified over 80 species of birds in the area.
The inaugural Illovo Wagtail Conservation Festival takes place on Saturday, 22 July at the Illovo Business Park in Lower Illovo.
“This is the first of what we intend to be an annual event in the Toti area and we expect anywhere between 500 and 1,000 people to attend,” said Illovo Wagtail Conservation Festival waste and environmental consultant, Laura Taylor.
This is a new birding venue in the early stages of development on the banks of the Illovo River next to the park.
Some trees along the river and a small remnant of coastal forest about one-and-a-half kilometres from the entrance make for great bird watching opportunities.
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The trails are cut and well maintained, covering about five kilometres of mainly flat pathways along the river and through the forest area.
In the river are some sandbanks and there are some bamboo fences that have been built, intended for use as bird hides. From there you can scan the river and sandbanks.
READ ALSO: Head into nature at Illovo eco-trail
Already local birders along with birders from Bird Life Port Natal have identified over 80 species of birds in the area, including such rarities as the palm nut vulture. The river also boasts a pair of breeding fish eagles.
“This first Wagtail Birding Festival at this exciting new venue promises to be a wonderful event with a great deal to entertain nature enthusiasts, including birding, boating, food stalls as well as many different nature-related talks and displays,” said Taylor.
“We intend to have guided bird walks, starting from 7am, talks on such varied topics as alien invasive plants, snakes, birds, and environmental awareness.”
For more information on the festival, call Laura Taylor on 031-916-1716 or 083-626-3785, or email envirowaste@connect.co.za.
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