One of our Winterskloof Conservancy members was distraught recently to see a resident of our Valley walk out of the Spar with an armful of Rattex. The use of this poison has consequences, which we all need to understand, so we can make informed decisions for the sustainability of the wildlife in our Valley.
A food chain is a system where a small creature is the food for a larger one which, in turn, is the food for an even larger animal. Owls and raptors are perched on top of their food chains and we are privileged to have many in the Winterskloof Valley. One of our Valley families has even become an owl rehabilitator, looking after injured birds until they are able to fend for themselves and be released. It will be devastating if the use of poisons (for snails, rats, etc) kills off these beautiful owls that have been given a second chance in life. We cherish their nocturnal calls as they do their rodent control work for us, free of charge!
Many people don't realise that when an owl or other predator eats a poisoned rodent, that animal gets poisoned too. These poisons are killing the very animals, like the Barn Owl, that naturally control rodents. For owls to survive, there needs to be enough food (rats and mice) for them to eat. This means that there will be these essential creatures in the food chain. We do need to keep them out of our houses, but shockingly, over 86% of all tested wildlife patients show evidence of exposure to rat poisons! These animals are eating poisoned rodents and carrying varying loads of toxic poison in their systems and those of their chicks, as a result.
Rat poisons kill by making whatever animal eats them bleed to death internally – slowly and painfully over a period of days. While the poisoned rats or mice are still alive, they (and their deadly load of poison) can be caught more easily and consumed by other predators including owls, cats and dogs. Rodents are the basic food source for a number of different predators all the way up the food chain, including owls, buzzards, eagles, genets and caracal (rooikat) in our area. It is a terrifying prospect; to kill many animals while targeting only one! As top or apex predators, the presence or absence of raptors (including owls) from an area can tell us how healthy the environment is. If raptors are rare or absent it means that the balance of nature has been disturbed.
South Africa has 12 owl species varying in size from the tiny Pearl-spotted Owlet to the imposing Verreaux's Eagle-Owl (previously called a Spotted Eagle-Owl). Owls are found in many habitats, from bushveld to grasslands, on cliff-faces, along river-banks and in our cities. There are fewer owls and other raptors in the Valley each year, not from the lack of habitat or food, but from the widespread and improper use of poison bait in misguided attempts to control rats. Rat poison is having dangerous and detrimental effects on the wildlife in our area. We need to find better ways to live well with wildlife.
Please STOP using rat poisons as they are doing more harm than good. So what CAN we do to keep control these creatures that cause damage when they choose to live in our houses instead of our gardens?
Ben Hoffman, from the Raptor Rescue Centre advocates the use of the Rat Zapper, which resident Sharon Gilbert has bought and safely set up. It provides a lethal shock when a rat or mouse enters the trap. There are no poisons used and thus will not affect other creatures that may eat the dead mouse or rat.
What a pleasure to have an environmentally responsible alternative to controlling the rodents that may be wreaking havoc in our ceilings!
Supplied by Winterskloof Conservancy.
Among the three visitors who played with us on Tuesday was one from Sydney in Australia who reiterated what we have heard from others who have played down-under. The greens there are like lightning compared to ours. The visitors however enjoyed their afternoon with us and we look forward to seeing more bowlers coming to share time with us in Hilton.
It's ON again! Tuesday, the 1st of July saw the re-launch of an exciting and unique campaign aimed at raising funds for Wildlands' Rhino conservation projects. The campaign will see R5 donated to the Wildlands Conservation Trust for every breakfast sold at JAXX Restaurant (Hilton Quarry Shopping Centre) from the 1st of July – 15th of July 2014. The breakfast customers will also have the opportunity to match the JAXX donation with a R5 personal contribution to anti-poaching efforts in KwaZulu – Natal.
At this time of year it is actually very difficult to dodge the bugs. The big question is do you need an antibiotic or not.
This is a timely reminder that fire season is well underway, so please do not light fires until we get our first spring rains and the risk is sufficiently lowered. If you need to deal with leaves and other garden waste, why not use the opportunity to make a compost heap or use a chipper to make mulch for your flower beds, which retains the moisture and warmth to protect plants during winter.
Hilton's Village Centre opposite the old station in Hilton Avenue has been revived, now boasting a new layout and the welcome addition of fresh tenants. These include Huddy's bookstore, Wakefields, a modern KwikSpar, TOPS liquor outlet and Rosewood, owned by local lady, Caitlyn Gilson.
Melissa Vurovecz, Hilton's Mrs SA Finalist 2014 enjoyed the TOP GEAR DURBAN FESTIVAL with her husband Ski and shared the following comment on Facebook, 'It's always good to support your spouse in their passions. My husband is so supportive of my passions that it's only a PLEASURE to return the favor! Ski is a petrol head and on the weekend we went to Top Gear Durban Festival together. This was a date I marked off in the calendar for nothing else except Top Gear because I know it's what he loves! MAKE TIME FOR YOUR SPOUSE'S PASSIONS, it will make you happy to see them happy!'
The Barn Restaurant at The Rotunda is a brand new "fresh look" kind of place which has a combined theme of country and family style meals. During the day it can be seen as a bright and sunny coffee shop which then welcomes customers to a warm, hearty restaurant on Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights. We are open from 07h30 during the week for early morning coffee meetings and delicious wholesome breakfasts.
Cowan House
Hilton based couple, Ski and Melissa Vurovecz enjoyed their day at the Durban July 2014 raceday. Melissa is a top 24 finalist in the Mrs SA 2014 and also the sole entrant still in the running for KZN. Hilton is exceedingly proud of Melissa's achievements!
Laddsworth Grade 6 pupils progressed from making their own bread for a gourmet sandwich in Round 1 to a fun egg whisking and potato peeling session. The more determined chefs participated in a cook-off for the finale.
The KwaZulu-Natal Botanical Gardens in Pietermaritzburg remains a popular destination for school groups to visit. Here Grade 3 pupils from 
There was no normal tabs-in bowls on Tuesday to allow the clubhouse and green to be used for the bowls clinic which was run by the District standing Committee for Coaches. The clinic was well-received and we hope to see some benefits from it on our green in the future. Grateful thanks to the coaches for affording us this opportunity.
Kezia Taylor has been awarded the Cowan House Closed Scholarship to St Anne's Diocesan College and Evan van der Meijden a Music Scholarship to Hilton College for 2015. Both pupils are pictured here with Mr Rob Odell (Cowan House Headmaster).
The Lower Mpushini Valley Conservancy will be holding its annual 
The Raptor Rescue and Rehabilition Centre is looking for potential release sites for birds - farms or small holdings that would be suitable to support birds of prey, either owls, or diurnal raptors. Are you the right person? Read all about the requirements and the joys 
These eco-warriors at Hilton Pre-Primary have fun while compacting the recycling so that they can fit more in.
Only eight men stayed to play on Tuesday afternoon in icy conditions. On Thursday and Saturday we had clear skies and warm weather and thus many more players.