Verreaux Eagle Closures

[Tamtam]

Closure of climbing crags for Eagle nesting.

Please will all climbers remember that Verreaux Eagle breeding season is upon us. What this means is that climbing crags that we share with these Eagles are closed for climbing. This ensures that the birds have peace and quiet for the preparation of their nests, laying of eggs and hopefully we will be able to watch the first flights of a new generation of these magnificent birds.

Crags that will be closed from the first week of April to last week in September:

Chosspile: The whole of LORD OF THE RINGS Crag (negotiation to allow some climbing further left of the nest was not successful, sorry. It was deemed too close and these climbs remain a disruption to their required peace)
Bronkies: Between “Perch on this” and ‘Devils Concubine”
Wilgepoort: Between “Mcfats LGP” and “Bottleneck Bulge”
Tonquani: Either side of “Reunion Slab”
Grootkloof: Either side of “Lilliput Ridge”

Please contact Tam Scheidegger if you have any queries, photos, and other info about the Eagles that should be out there for all climbers.

Tam (MCSA JHB Conservation Convenor)
mcsa.jhb.conservation@gmail.com

[Tamtam]

Reminder of the Eagle Closure Times:  in previous post

A new solar panel for the trail cam was installed at the Chosspile nest, last week. This nest is probably not the preferred nest for the pair at the moment, but they will use it as a "frustration" nest, a resting nest. Their other breeding nest, is above the snake park further south. In the mean time, we get to patiently wait for their decision...which nest will it be?? The images taken by the camera will be used for research purposes.

It was so good to see the mix of hard-core sends at Lord of Rings, light climbing at Harry Potter, our scary trad mission up the scree slope above the nest and some tough weeding of Crofton in the tributary. Good to see Choss open again, even if it is only once a month.

Contact Tamtam for more info.

[Tamtam]

Dearest Climbers

Yes, Climb Away...

This is not the kind of news that I would like to be sharing as it means that there will be no Eaglets to watch grow. Both the Bronkies and Chosspile nests are not being used for nesting purposes. Our cameras monitoring the bird's behaviour have helped the Department of Environmental affairs give us permission to open these crags to climbers. We will continue to monitor the nests until the end of the season incase their nesting behaviour changes. No bolting, but climbing is permitted at Lord of the Rings Crag and Bronkies in the Eagle section, unless another notice is given. Please also read MCSA notices for updates.

Tam

[Forket]

Must be the lack of climbers. I've heard that Black eagles are drawn to climbers, finding their presence somewhat of an umbrella of safety.

[Tamtam]

Dear Climbers

A reminder that the following areas are closed from 1 April to 1 September. Some climbs are deemed too close to, or they pass through Verreaux Eagle nests, so please make sure there is no nest above you before starting a route. The following are known nests in Gauteng and NorthWest. Some nests are being monitored for activity. If there is no activity by end of June, with consultation with Eagle experts, we may open these routes again.

Chosspile: The whole of LORD OF THE RINGS Crag
Bronkies: Between “Perch on this” and ‘Devils Concubine”
Wilgepoort: Between “Mcfats LGP” and “Bottleneck Bulge”
Tonquani: Either side of “Reunion Slab”
Grootkloof: Either side of “Lilliput Ridge”
Dome: "Twilight Arete" and "Revolver"

If you do notice unfamiliar Eagle activity, please send me a note. It is always a treat to be greeted with their curious Eagle eyes!
Tam

[Tamtam]

Dearest Climbers

The end of the official Verreaux Eagle breeding season is 1 September. We are still monitoring the Bronkies nest. A parent is still sitting on the nest. Dome South has a chick on the nest. This chick may not have fledged yet, please keep clear until the end of September at least.

Crags OPEN for Climbing (1 September):
Wilgepoort
Chosspile
Grootkloof
Tonquani

BRONKIES STILL CLOSED (until further notice)
DOME SOUTH STILL CLOSED (until further notice)

If you would like to share information about the Eagles please contact me.
Tam Scheidegger
conservation@jhb.mcsa.org.za

[Tamtam]

Morning All Gauteng Climbers

This is a reminder (and not an April fools) that the closure of certain crags happens seasonally when the Eagles breed (1 April to 1 September. The list of affected crags is in the previous post. We share our cliffs with these birds and need to give them their space.

So far, it seems like the Bronkies pair will be successful, they have been busy for a month already! Lets hold thumbs tightly, it has been 4 years since a successful juvenile took flight from this Crag.

The Chosspile nest is most likely a non-happener. The Eagle experts will be able to confirm end of May that no activity is happening, and that we can open the LoR Crag to climbing. Both of these "sport" nests are monitored with working cameras... for now. I do hope the cold does not affect them like last year. Click on the link here to view the nests.

http://blackeagle.co.za/bh.php

Any other info that you want to know or have for fellow climbers, please contact me on email, I don't monitor this website often and may miss your post.
Tam Scheidegger
conservation@jhb.mcsa.co.za

[Tamtam]

Hello there Gauteng Climbers.

The camera on the Verreaux's nest at Lord of the Rings, Chosspile shows no activity. We will open this Crag to climbing, but keep a sharp eye on activity and keep you updated if they return. It is presumed that the Vet has the male from this area in recovery from an injury, so there will most likely not be breeding this year.

Keep watching at Bronkies, the pair are still very active, and Wilgepoort looks like they are sitting on eggs! Lets hold thumbs and keep climbing at a distance.

Cheers for now,
Tam

[justin]

Thank you Tam for the work you do and the update.

[Tamtam]

Please remember that Eagle season means that sections of crags that have Eagles nests on them are CLOSED. From beginning of April to end of August. UNLESS cameras or monitors at the provincial environmental departments deem the nest not used. If there is no activity by July, we are able to issue an all clear to climb on those crag sections. Please adhere to these rules, fights with the departments are not enjoyable.

There were climbers climbing in the Eagle section of Bronkies this past weekend. Please check that your buddies (if they are new to the sport) are climbing where they should be climbing and not in the closed sections.

Hopefully, this year we will have a successful nests. It has been 4 years since there was a chick that fledged Bronkies! Hold thumbs.

Please use the following feed to watch the camera-monitored nests in Gauteng and North West.
https://blackeagle.co.za/ve.php

Any information please contact me here or via email.
Tam Scheidegger
conservation@jhb.mcsa.org.za