Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary - Haven in the City
Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary is situated inside the grounds of Delta Park, in Johannesburg. The Delta Environmental Centre was approached by the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary founder, Norman Bloom, 25 years ago, in regard to opening the park, from which the Centre got its beginnings.
The Centre is currently working towards returning the bird sanctuary to it former glory, as the Delta Park is an important Johannesburg attraction. Its spectacularly, breathtaking open grounds are occupied be many animals and birds, and it offers the Johannesburg resident a little piece of heaven amongst their busy lives.
Trying to restore the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary is a tremendously huge undertaking, as in the history of the park management they believed that indigenous trees would not grow on the grounds. This has left the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary with mostly exotic plants. A minor change in vegetation has a massive impact on the bird life, as Kikuyu lawns have created a living environment for Crowned and Walled Plovers, but has also chased away the cisticolas and prinias. By replacing the indigenous trees, the park has already seen a growth in the Grey Louirie and Rameron Pigeons, who regularly visit to feed off the fruits that these trees bare.
The Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary is not only home to a staggering amount of bird life, as you can also encounter other mammals and reptiles going about their daily business. Over a hundred different bird species, from House Sparrows, Cape Weavers, Puffbacks, Grass Owls, African Hawk Eagle, to name a few, can be viewed in the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary. Mammals such as hedgehogs, striped mice and even a slender mongoose can be found foraging around the park. As mentioned, reptiles also make up part of the parks ecological system, and therefore, do not be surprised if you stumble across a brown house snake or a marsh terrapin.
Delta Park and the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary is well worth saving and protecting, and all you need to do to realize this, is half an hour of listening to the birds around you, the rustle in the trees, and to have the sunlight warm your face through the branches of the trees, while Egyptian geese gracefully glide by on undisturbed waters.
User Comments & Reviews
2009-10-26 13:15:19
To Bianca Birkhoff, Thank you for visiting SouthAfrica.com. That certainly is an unusual request! We suggest you join the Forums and post your question there. Other forum members or visitors to our site may be able to assist you. Good luck!
2009-10-26 08:18:10
Good morning, my name is Bianca. I have a strange request but maybe you can refer me to someone that can help me. I'm getting married next year October and I would like to have something completely different in my Chapel service, I'd like a eagle or owl to fly in the so called wedding rings from the back of the chapel to the front. Would you be able to help me with something like this or do you perhaps know who I could contact who could help me. thank you Bianca
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