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
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
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
As its name suggests, the Northern Orange-banded Protea feeds on protea buds. Northern Orange-banded Protea (upperside) (Photograph: Justin Bode) Capys Alpheus extentsus, the Northern Orange-banded Protea orVerdwaalde Oranjeband Suikerbossie. is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. The Capys (Protea butterflies) … Read more
The Flowers and Orchids Field Trip on 25 January 2025 lived up to expectations. Members of the group pose in typical Verloren Valei setting (Photograph: Greg Jones) This field trip—my first one for Friends of Verloren Valei—was originally scheduled for … Read more
The Drakensberg Crag Lizard is one of the many fascinating creatures that inhabit the reserve, writes Steve Vincent. These small lizards—their scientific name is Pseudocordylus melanotus subsp. Transvaalensis—are well adapted to the rugged environment and harsh climate of Verloren Valei … Read more
Jacquie van der Westhuizen, Field Officer , African Crane Conservation Proramme – Drakensberg describes how a young chick coped with the devastating destruction of its wetland habitat. The Crane family just after the chick had flown across the wetland, all big … Read more
A fascinating and in-depth report by Ground Up looks at the factors influencing the long-term viability of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project reveals that vigorous conservation of wetlands is vital. Katse Dam (Photograph: Wikipedia) As everybody knows, the Witwatersrand is … Read more
The first herpetological survey of Verloren Valei will provide a useful baseline for future work. Pitfall and funnel trap array as installed in Coleochloa setifera – Cheilanthes multifida grassland on Verloren Valei Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa (Photograph: P.R. … Read more
Dr. Lara Fuller, Drakensberg Project Coordinator, South Africa for the African Crane Conservation Programme writes about a new initiative to understand the movement of these vulnerable birds more closely – a subject close to Verloren Valei’s collective heart. Reprinted with … Read more
