- Die Oog, a 300-year-old conservation area in Bergvliet, boasts South Africa’s oldest man-made dam, built by Simon van der Stel.
- The reserve teems with biodiversity, including endangered Western Leopard Toads and nocturnal mammals like caracals.
- Managed largely by volunteers and dependent on community support, Die Oog aims to preserve its unique ecosystem amidst challenges like invasive species.
No other words could capture it better than this tiny nature reserve’s official website, characterising it as: “There’s more to Die Oog than meets the eye”.
Quietly welcoming visitors with free access, Die Oog is Bergvliet’s 300-year-old conservation area containing South Africa’s oldest man-made dam as built by Simon van der Stel, according to its neighbours and members of Friends of Die Oog (Fodo), husband and wife Mark and Anne Shaw.
Die Oog is a natural spring or “eye” around which the dam was built 250 years ago to supply the Bergvliet Farm with water.
Teeming with life in the dam’s surroundings, fynbos, frogs, birdlife, shrubs and wetlands below the dam all interact with one another, contributing to the survival of this bio-diverse area.
“Near the entrance of the reserve, there’s a pair of dikkops (spotted thick-knee / Burhinus capensis) breeding. This is also home to the Leopard Toad,” mentioned Mark.
Die Oog is one of the main breeding sites in the Western Cape for the endangered Western Leopard Toad. Sadly, during their breeding season in August-September, many are killed by passing cars when they cross roads.
During this time leopard toads migrate to the dam to breed, after which they return to their original garden homes. Nearing the reserve, passersby can see a big sign planted on Midwood Avenue warning of crossing toads.
Animals
The wider range of animal diversity includes nocturnal mammals like caracals and porcupines.
Other amphibians like the Helmeted Terrapin (crocodile turtle) and birdlife, including the Yellow-billed duck and Cape Weaver, are also found there.
Another winter/ spring display is the Granitic Fynbos, which is extremely endangered and of particular botanical significance.
“Although parched during the summer months, between August and October it provides a spectacular display of colour from the myriad of geophytes that bloom. Throughout the year, there are many species of flora that can be seen. These include Erica verticillata, which has only recently been introduced to the wild again,” the website continued.
The reserve’s information board states that this near-extinct Erica verticillata used to grow profusely before the recent drought.
In a state of repair due to overgrowth of invasive plant species, the Shaws pointed out a cordoned-off portion along the wall of the reserve, saying that it’s currently under construction in collaboration with the City of Cape Town.
The City’s website under the Biodiversity Parks section, states the challenge faced in Die Oog because of the invasive alien species.
“The growth of aquatic weeds has to be contained, and indigenous geophytes and other plants are being re-established,” it read.
Here, the City and the Bergvliet and Meadowridge Ratepayers’ Association planted indigenous trees and shrubs, while Fodo was formed to help maintain and improve the site in 1992.
Largely funded by donations, this unique gem in the Southern Suburbs is dependent on support from the surrounding community.
- Members are welcome at an annual rate of R100. Visit dieoog.org.za to join or send an email to admin@dieoog.org.za.
