The BBC congratulates #BirdLifeSouthAfrica and #SANCCOBsavesSeabirds, represented by the Biodiversity Law Centre, on their perseverance and hard work in negotiating a vitally important settlement with the commercial sardine and anchovy purse-seine fishers. The...

Thanks to Lourens and Dylan Kruger from the Cape Honey Bee Conservancy who shared their knowledge, experience and passion for helping to save Cape Honey Bees. We learnt more about “Her Majesty”- the vital queen bee who is essential for the survival of a colony. She...

In January, Steed Maher gave a very informative talk on various aspects of the snakes found in Betty’s Bay. He encouraged residents to "know the local snakes" and to help protect, conserve and relocate rather than kill them. Last week, a resident who attended Steed’s...

By Tony Norton   My grandmother, Joan, wrote a poem about the penguins of Stony Point, Betty’s Bay. The Stony Point penguin colony was established in 1982 due to declining penguin numbers. These are African penguins, previously named Jackass Penguins because of...

Twenty volunteers attended our 734th hack. This was the fourth hack of the year at the Dawidskraal River (blue). The objective is to clear the myrtle before the winter rain starts and access becomes problematic with higher water levels in the channels, slippery rocks...

The bookshop financial year ended 31st March 2025. The turnover for the year was 22% up on the previous year, which was dramatically up on the year before that, and we are very pleased with the results. Thank you all for your great support of the shop. The hackers go...

by Dr Mike Burns   To reside in one of the Hangklip villages is to be immersed in an environment of outstanding natural beauty. However, the Kogelberg Biosphere represents much more than this. It accounts for the area’s societal attributes too, including human...

Whether you're a seasoned resident, a holidaymaker or have recently made Betty's Bay your home, this booklet is an invaluable source of information. Download it here! Overstrand Kogelberg Booklet 2024

How do you eradicate alien invasive rooikrans from a site in Betty’s Bay ... and re-purpose it for nesting material for the penguins at Stony Point? By collaboration! First, the Hackers, with their great energy, teamwork and saws, cut down the invasive aliens at the...

SHIP TO SHIP BUNKERING: A Call to comment on the new proposed regulations This is the process of refueling ships at sea. It has many potential side effects that negatively  affect the African Penguins in Algoa Bay where it occurs in close proximity to the colony on ...

On the 4th and 5th March 2025, the Overberg Region welcomed an extraordinary visitor. A Macaroni Penguin! This endearing bird unexpectedly arrived on the shores of Hawston Beach. This extremely rare and unusual sighting sent birding enthusiasts across South Africa...

In November 2024, an advert for this proposed development of a “boutique” Retirement Village in Betty’s Bay took most people by surprise and it was the first time that the BBC was aware of it. After speaking to the estate agent and then consulting the Overstrand...

Twenty five volunteers attended. This was the third hack of the year at the Dawidskraal River.  As there were fewer hackers than last month, the area closest to the bridge on the western side of the river was targeted (blue).  There were seven chainsaw operators with...

At the recent meeting of the Committee of the Kogelberg Branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa, it was decided to rename the Friends of the Kogelberg Branch to Supporters of the Kogelberg Branch.  The motivation for renaming our voluntary group is that with...

The Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue and Training Centre: Michelle Watson I was lucky enough to receive an attractive WhatsApp from the Betty`s Bay Conservancy (BBC) with the advert to this meeting. Thanking the BBC, I can express my appreciation for this...

(Note the name change from Friends of … to Supporters of … to avoid confusion with the Friends of Harold Porter Gardens, which is a sub-group of the Supporters of the Kogelberg Branch!) As I write this newsletter and gaze out of the window, the last rays of the sun...

Thirty five volunteers attended this hack including three new hackers, Peter Weeks, Leon du Toit and Patrick Boltller. We trust that you enjoyed your first outing and sincerely hope that this will be the first of many. A welcome return to Mike Begley after a long...

STEED MAHER: VENOM, MYTHS AND CONSERVATION: PROTECTING SNAKES IN A CHANGING WORLD There was a great turn out for Steeds talk! Did you know that there are 176 species of snakes in Southern Africa? Snakes are often a feared and misunderstood part of our ecosystem. Often...

50 Trips! Congratulations and thanks to our dedicated group of Penguin-Pals drivers who have now completed 50 trips in the past 11 months since they were trained. That’s about 5000km of driving to help transport birds and eggs in need of care. Their quick response to...

CONSERVATION CARE AND PROJECTS Elsa Stofberg has been appointed to the portfolio of Conservation Care & Projects. Welcome, Elsa! She writes: During our internal committee meeting of 12 February 2025, it was decided that the following needs to be addressed:...

This was a very enthusiastic start to the year with an excellent turn out of twenty eight hackers despite the fact that the holiday season was still in full swing.  The open space to the west of Jock’s Bay bordered by Park Crescent, Four Streams and Cliff Roads was...

As a one-of -a-kind, multi-species facility, the Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue and Training Centre will treat, rescue, or mitigate, numerous wildlife cases a day.  Last Monday was no exception. The clinic is opened at 7 am by Shannon Fletcher, our clinic nurse,...

On 12 December the R44 Task Team launched the “BE AN R44 LIFESAVER” Safety Campaign. The aim is to encourage motorists and bikers to “go slow” in order to protect the lives of people and wildlife. There have been too many lives lost on this road in tragic accidents...

To preserve our very special and unique fynbos heritage in another way, please take note of the following:   Three plants becoming a problem in our area Spanish broom: It is a big problem and spreading fast Scientific Name:                 Spartium junceum A...

I learnt some interesting things in a visit to the colony last weekend: It’s moulting season for the penguins in the colony.         The moult lasts about three weeks. During this time they replace their worn-out feathers with a brand new set of...