UCT Open Access Journals (Univ. of Cape Town)
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Dragonflies and damselflies of the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area, Agulhas Plain, South Africa: 2018-2024
Full text linkThe Nuwejaars River and its associated wetlands lie in the Heuningnes Catchment, situated within the Overberg region in the province of the Western Cape, South Africa. Large areas of invasive alien vegetation have been cleared from the floodplain of the river. Over the period 2018 to 2024, 452 records of 25 species of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) were made in the Nuwejaars Wetlands Special Management Area. Although the results are not confirmed by quantitative data, it is clear that the abundance of odonatids has increased since the removal of the infestations of alien invasive vegetation from the floodplain. The most unexpected species was Spesbona Spesbona angusta
Village Weaver nesting associations with Yellow-billed Kites and Woolly-necked Storks
No full textVillage Weavers (Ploceus cucullatus) are known to establish nesting colonies around the nests of larger species, presumably for protection from predators or avian brood parasites. While monitoring Yellow-billed Kite (Milvus aegyptius) and Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia microscelis) nests in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, we found 54.9% and 15.9%, respectively, had weaver colonies placed around them. The high prevelance of breeding association of Village Weavers with kites and the high nesting synchronisation with them may reflect a greater protective benefit than from associations with Woolly-necked Storks. 
Grey-headed Gull feeding behaviours, Eastern Cape
Full text linkDuring February 2019 two observations of feeding behaviour by Grey-headed Gulls Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus were made at different locations in the Eastern Cape. One involved foot-paddling; the second consisted of skimming.
Photographic record of anti-predator behaviour of a female Cardinal Woodpecker
Full text linkOn encountering a Gabar Goshawk Micronisus gabar, the anti-predator behaviour of a female Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens was observed. The woodpecker froze in place, adopting a stiff, upright posture. Slowly, she crept around the branch until it was between her and the goshawk. The observation is placed in context
Capture techniques for Rufous-eared Warblers Malcorus pectoralis during a ringing study in the Free State, South Africa
Full text linkThe techniques for capturing Rufous-eared Warblers for ringing studies are described. The most successful strategy was to use call playbacks in conjunction with mistnets in open areas with the lowest shelf set close to the ground level, which sometimes needed pruning of shrubs at the net site. We used standard four- and five-shelf 12 m-mistnets as well as 2-shelf mistnets. Other methods such as possible use of baited spring traps should be investigated
A goby negotiates aerial exposure on the low tide by retreating beneath a rock
Full text linkFishes exploit the intertidal zone by coming in and out with the high tide or retreating to small pools or sheltering beneath rocks during the low tide. This note reports an observation of a goby, likely Mugilogobius platynotus, out of the water but retreated beneath a rock, with the rising tide returning water to the goby 70 minutes later. During the time of aerial exposure, the sandy mud beneath the rock was noticeably moister than the surrounding mud exposed to sunlight, and pneumatophores and woody debris potentially contributed to maintaining a humid microclimate beneath the rock
Temminck´s Courser Cursorius temminckii, Swainson 1822: plumage, moult, biometrics and determination of age
Full text linkData on biometrics and moult are scarce for many southern African species, and plumage features throughout the different age categories are not fully described. The moult of coursers is hardly explored, and many questions remain. In this study, we present biometric measurements and moult data of 12 Temminck´s Coursers Cursorius temminckii aridus from Namibia ringed during several years between December and March. With photographic evidence, we illustrate the progress from juvenile into adult plumage, compare features of young and adult plumage, and show undescribed features, like the white trailing edge of secondaries and the occurrence of apparently two age groups of coverts in young Temminck´s Coursers. We elucidate the previously undocumentedstrategy of the primary moult of Temminck´s Coursers by showing congruences with the well-examined moult of the closely related Cream-coloured Coursers Cursorius cursor from northern Africa. We hope that our observations serve as a basis for further research to clarify and validate the proposed moult strategies and, with them, a refined determination of age
Enhancing Engineering Education in the Global South: the impact of peer-led tutoring systems on student learning and resilience
No full textPeer-led study groups have increasingly gained attention as a strategy to enhance student resilience and improve academic outcomes. In the Global South, where socio-economic challenges and limited resources often hinder student success, such interventions are critical. Despite the growing interest in collaborative learning, there is limited research on how these systems influence student resilience, particularly in environments that emphasise Ubuntu values of mutual support and interconnectedness. This study fills that gap by critically examining the role of peer-led study groups in high-impact engineering modules. Focusing on the experiences of students navigating complex academic challenges, it explores how these tutoring systems foster resilience and create supportive learning environments. Drawing on Relationship-Resourced Resilience (RRR) Theory, which highlights the importance of social connections in overcoming adversity, the study employs a qualitative methodology to analyse student feedback from interviews and focus groups. The findings illustrate the transformative potential of peer-led groups in creating an inclusive, supportive educational environment that goes beyond traditional lecture-based approaches
Gender Diversity and Inclusiveness in the Valuation Surveying Discipline: Examining Workforce Composition and the Influence of Organisational Policies in Uganda
Full text linkThis study investigated the gender composition within Uganda's valuation surveying discipline. It examined the influence of organisational policies on this composition through a mixed-methods explanatory sequential research design. Initially, quantitative data were gathered through a desk review, followed by the collection and analysis of qualitative data obtained from semi-structured interviews with representatives of valuation surveying firms affiliated with registered valuation surveyors of Uganda. The study’s findings revealed a significant underrepresentation of women in Uganda’s valuation surveying discipline, with women comprising only 22% compared to 78% of men. This disparity is attributed to educational barriers, stereotypes, and organisational barriers that have considerably affected women’s participation in the profession relative to men. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on gender equity in STEM fields, offering insights pertinent to promoting a gender-inclusive valuation surveying profession in alignment with global efforts to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment, as outlined in Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals
Real Estate Development Financing through Pre-letting and Pre-sale Arrangements: : An Assessment of Adoption Level in Emerging Markets
Full text linkUtilisation of pre-letting and pre-sale financing (PPF) arrangements for housing delivery have gained increased attention in the literature. However, the increasing rate of housing deficit in the emerging markets does not represent the reality of an increase in the adoption of PPF arrangements. With the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire, this study examined the level of adoption of PPF arrangements by property development companies (PDC) in the emerging markets. The questionnaires were administered to 87 PDCs in Lagos metropolis to gather property-related data such as the number of property units developed between 2008 and 2023, unit type, number of units pre-let, and number of units pre-sale, among others. With the use of an Excel spreadsheet and SPSS software, the acquired data were analysed using percentages and regression analysis. Findings revealed that the proportion of pre-letting against the total units of property developed during the year under review was 7.48 percent, and pre-sale 17.44 percent. While 67.70 percent of the pre-letting proportion applied to commercial properties, 53.24 percent of the pre-sale proportion applied to residential properties. An increase in pre-sale adoption was observed throughout the years under consideration. Though a more significant increase was witnessed in the residential properties, commercial properties equally witnessed a slight increase across the years. The regression analysis outcome showed that none of neither pre-letting nor pre-sale financing adoption was significantly influenced by the tested organisational parameters in the study area. It is, however, necessary that the stakeholders pay attention to pre-letting financing arrangements and increase the adoption of both arrangements to improve housing provision