Selcourt Dam important breeding site for wild birds
The dying trees on the island at Selcourt Dam and the water stagnation are of great concern to residents.
Selcourt resident Bill Wilson is worried about the high water levels allowing water stagnation, which comes with a smell.
Wilson says the previous aesthetic appeal of the park is spoiled by the number of dead island trees which he believes contributes to the smelly environment of decaying vegetation.
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“The wildlife population has declined over the past few years and I believe it is due to the trees on the island which have mostly died,” he says.
Environmentalist Stan Madden says trees on the island have died for no apparent reason.
The Springs/Nigel branch of Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) has been involved in monitoring this dam for as far back as the 70s.
Records of birds have been kept which proves the dam and island to be a very important breeding site for wild birds.
“In particular, the large herons, cormorants, gulls and waterfowl such as ducks, grebes and many others breed here,” says Madden.
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“The dying off of the trees has led to a reduced number of birds breeding but they are now relocating to the trees on the shoreline and therefore not as visible,” says Madden.
He says Justin Donaldson, chairman of Wessa, planted a few young trees on the island last year.
“The quality of the water in the dam is at times not good but with the current inflow of water from Nigel Road, we are hopeful that it will improve,” says Madden.
Also of concern to Wessa is the poor fence condition with many ducks, geese and associated waste food disposal providing other hazards.
Madden says this problem is monitored and has been brought to the attention of Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“We need their assistance in removing alien species of mallard ducks which is a serious problem,” he says.
The metro was recently seen working in Nigel Road, Selcourt to improve the Selcourt Dam drainage and overflows that create flooding hazards along Nigel, Halkyn and Sheiba roads.
Madden says the work was started in November and is still unfinished.
“The area was left with plastic barriers on the edge of Nigel Road and, three months later, is still there,” he says.
