by KBergReserve

WHO REALLY BENEFITS FROM FEEDING GARDEN BIRDS?

Charles and Julia Botha Charles and Julia Botha are the authors of Bring Nature Back to your Garden and Bring Butterflies Back to your Garden. Both their books have won book prizes from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. With their kind permission, we reproduce an article written and adapted by them for Environment from one by the same authors entitled Food for thought; who benefits from feeding birds? Africa Birds & Birding, 2009, 14 (3) 36-41. The article has appeared in our Newsletter in three parts. Here is the third and final part. For many years…
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by KBergReserve

ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA PLANT NAMES

An update on this unique book by Hugh Clark and Michael Charters and edited by Eugene Moll: Following some three months of editing and sourcing as wide a range of excellent plant photographs as possible, we are at the stage where the completed manuscript is ready to be handed over to Struik Nature. They will do the final editing and compilation (the Dictionary will be ~450 pages, slightly less than A4 in size). We are hopeful that the final product will be ready for distribution by the end of October.
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by KBergReserve

MAY WALK

Botsoc Kogelberg Walk Report: 21 May 2016 Tim Attwell Who would have thought it? The Hanneshoek trail looks a bit of a Cinderella when compared to the splendours of the Three Sisters route, Oudebosch to Harold Porter or the heights of Perdeberg. But this unprepossessing little route boasts an astonishing variety of Protea species in full bloom at this time of year. Hanneshoek is a gently undulating two kilometre path (one way) at the base of Jean’s Hill, above the Kleinmond golf course. More than a dozen Botsoc members and guests of all ages, including…
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by KBergReserve

MAY TALK REPORT

Dr Ernst van Jaarsveld, horticulturist and curator of the Kirstenbosch Conservatory: Cape Agulhas to Angola Expedition Rea Borcherds A large audience turned out to enjoy the privilege of hearing world expert botanist, horticulturalist and author Ernst van Jaarsveld give a comprehensive overview of his explorations all around southern Africa in search of succulent plants. Ernst recently retired from Kirstenbosch after 41 years as curator of the Conservatory there. He is recognised as the most prolific plant collector in Kirstenbosch’s history and also the most productive publisher of books and articles on South African flora. The…
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by KBergReserve

HERMANUS FLOWER FESTIVAL

The Hermanus Flower Festival has been showcasing the wonders of Spring in the fynbos for over 60 years!  This year is no exception.  This special event will take place in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 September. Following the Fires in Fernkloof Nature Reserve in December, our theme for this year will be “Fynbos and Fire”. Join us to enjoy this flower spectacular, including fun, activities, teas and meals. Open from 9 am to 5 pm. Entry R20, children under 12 free. Contact Hermanus Botanical Society at botsochermanus@telkomsa.net
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by KBergReserve

PRINGLE BAY HACK REPORT NO 113

Chris Geldenhuys, Convenor In the morning mist the Pringle Bay Hack Group started the hack on 29 May 2016 in Flat, High Level and Surf roads of Pringle Bay. The primary challenge was the Australian Myrtle with a number of the ever present Rooikrantz. Although most of the Myrtle were small plants, they posed a sure long-term threat. The weather later changed for the better and the hack was finalised in wonderful autumn weather. We were joined for the first time by Jenny Parsons. Welcome Jenny! The rest of the hackers were: John Whitehead, Edward…
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