Swartland conservation project shows results

“Four chicks have already hatched,” said local volunteer Lucia Rodrigues when accepting a further donation this week, "and of the 15 sites being monitored incubation has been confirmed at a further five nest sites."

The only breeding pair of Verreaux's Eagles left on Table Mountain has produced its fifth chick in as many years proving that this project for monitoring the Black (Verreaux's) Eagles is showing excellent results. Previously there were several pairs of breeding eagles on the Cape Peninsula Mountain Chain which encompasses the mountain range from Cape Point to Table Mountain.

Volunteers have to abseil down to the nests so the donation took the form of climbing equipment which Karen Pickering [L] from Aquila Game Reserve and Suzanne Van Dyk from Swartland Winery [R] presented to Lucia Rodrigues [C].

Formed two years ago, the Eagle Crest/Aquila Game Reserve Conservation Fund has already donated more than R40,000 towards equipment to further the research. Raptor information boards at both companies create awareness of the plight of these birds and funds are raised from part proceeds of sales of the popular Swartland Reserve range at Aquila to support the WRCRRP as well as other similar organisations.

Raptors are an integral part of the Swartland landscape and as such has always been part of the Winery's crest, so it was a natural progression to look for a project that would assist in the conservation of these birds.