Signs that autumn is here … and winter is on its way!

3rd April 2015

Words by: Eleanor Yeld Huthings

• Beautiful clear, red sunrises and sunsets begin a little later (sunrise) and a little earlier (sunset) than they have been.

• Northwesterly winds begin to blow, sometimes bringing the first rainstorms.

• Swallows gather in huge numbers on roofs and telephone wires, ready to begin their migration northwards.

• Surfers start to get excited as the best season for waves is beginning.

Photo by Peter Verhoog | © Save Our Seas Foundation

• The underwater visibility along the False Bay reefs improves and the sea temperature drops – the best time for diving is fast approaching.

• Huge pods of common dolphins can be seen in False Bay.

Photo by Peter Verhoog | © Save Our Seas Foundation

• And they are often followed by hunting pods of orca (killer whales).

• Great white sharks move away from the beaches to spend more time around Seal Island in the middle of False Bay.

• Enormous flocks of black cormorants swoop low over the water in the bay and seem to carry on forever.

• And finally, when the southern right whales appear in False Bay, you know that winter is well and truly HERE!

Please note that these are generalisations, and not necessarily all happening at the same time or even at all!