Mixed messages about South Africa’s cranes
Post

The latest Regional Red Data Book indicates that while conditions have improved for Wattled Cranes, the Blue Crane’s status has slipped. By James van den Heever On the plus front, the latest Regional Red Data Book of endangered species lists … Read more

Ten species of butterfly recorded at Verloren Valei
Post

This excellent total was recorded by Christopher Willis on a recent trip to the reserve. Big-eye Small Ringlet (Paternympha loxophthalma) – photograph taken by Christopher Willis on a recent visit to Verloren Valei Christopher Willis, Chief Director: National Botanical Gardens … Read more

Getting to grips with Verloren Valei’s Crassulas
Post

An attempt to understand more about this somewhat varied family of succulents. Crassula alba, one of the more spectacular Crassulas found on Verloren Valei (Photograph: Steve Vincent) Ten genera comprising 350 species of the Crassulaceae or Stonecrop family of herbs … Read more

All about the Dullstroom Blue
Post

Christopher Willis and David Edge outline the reproductive behaviour of Verloren Valei’s celebrated endemic butterfly. Mating pair of Dullstroom Blue (formerly Warren’s Blue) (Photograph: Christopher Willis) Discovered by RT Warren and his family in 1988-89, and named in their honour, … Read more

Escarpment Bird Club visits Santa Estate Nature Reserve
Post

A glimpse of the rich birdlife of the recently proclaimed Santa Estate Nature Reserve, which abuts Verloren Valei’s southeastern boundary. Waterfall at Santa Estate (Photograph: Chrissie Curtis) After weeks of overcast and rainy weather, it was absolutely fantastic to be … Read more

The fate of the Brenton Blue sounds a warning
Post

A recent article paints a bleak future for this butterfly—and, by implication, for its fellow rarity, the Dullstroom Blue. Dullstroom Blue (formerly Warren’s Blue)–endemic to Verloren Valei (Photograph: Justin Bode) A recent article in Metamorphosis, the journal of the Lepidopterists’ … Read more