Julian Laughton, Silverglade
I, along with many others, enjoy a walk through the Lower Silvermine Wetland.
Just a stone's throw away from Fish Hoek Beach, this welcoming conservation area has become popular with nature lovers, strollers, dog walkers, and runners.
More often than not, my walk will be punctuated by observations of the bird life from the secretive little prinias to the bolder and more demonstrative plovers.
Recently, however, while on my walk, I was alarmed to see the plovers behaving very differently. Clearly agitated, they were dive-bombing the dogs.
One possible explanation for this behaviour is that some dogs who have been allowed to run free in the park, have gone across, or near to, sensitive nesting sites. It is that time of the year.
Alternatively, the birds are just generally being extra vigilant and protective during this season.
Whatever the reason, and in this context, one can appreciate more fully the local signage requesting that dogs be kept on the lead.
When you combine the vulnerabilities of bird life, vegetation and ecosystems - all trying to explore their place in this ever changing natural habitat, then simple human qualities like sensitivity and restraint may go a long way.
Sometimes, it seems to me, the stewardship of our precious natural environment is that straightforward.
As a previous dog owner for many years, I can appreciate the challenge.
It’s not easy keeping a dog/s on the lead and on a footpath in an open space like this.
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