Editor’s Note: New research is looking at how Blue Cranes are colonising a new ecosystem — farmland in the Western Cape. The removal of fynbos seems to play a role, which correlates to the view that cranes don’t like bushy … Read More
Alan Lee, Ian Davies, and Carrie Seltzer profile iNaturalist, eBird and the African Bird Atlas Project. With a limited number of conservationists and ornithologists across Africa, the importance of the contributions of citizen scientists to our understanding of birds cannot … Read More
Good news for the White-winged Flufftail as this is its only confirmed breeding site in South Africa. A White-winged Flufftail glides over the sedge meadows at Middelpunt Wetland (Photograph: Kyle Lloyd) The White-winged Flufftail (Sarothrura ayresi) is listed as globally … Read More
A further 7 448 hectares have been added to the existing area. Wetlands and rocky outcrops are some of the microhabitats within the protected environment, hosting threatened and endemic species specialised for these niches (Photograph: Kyle Lloyd) The Greater Lakenvlei … Read More
It’s not a pretty picture–but at least we know where we are. “There is growing concern that South African protected areas, which contain high biological density, are not fulfilling their conservation objectives”, begins this useful and rather perturbing study. It’s … Read More
Figures show the outflows from the reserve after a summer with somewhat lower rains. Thanks to Hannes Marais and Jannie Coetzee, we have the next lot of water data from Verloren Valei. As the data accumulates, it will become more … Read More
The recent Geology and Grasses field trip challenged participants to look at the natural environment broadly. On 25 February 2023, a group of seven set off to explore the geology and grasses of Verloren Valei. The field trip was led … Read More
Mpumalanga Wetlands Forum hosts event at Verloren Valei. World Wetlands Day is celebrated worldwide each year on 2 February to raise awareness about wetlands and the important environmental role they play. The theme for 2023 is “It’s time for Wetland … Read More
Frans Krige led a very lucky group of Friends of Verloren Valei members and almost-members for a day of exploring. The majority of field trips on the Reserve take place along the tourist route. This makes perfect sense given the … Read More
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