A return visit to Blencathra

As we had heard that this property was for sale and that KZN Wildlife were interested in the possibility of adding this untouched grassland to the adjacent reserve, we returned to try to add to our species list to help inform the decision makers involved with this process. Not unexpectedly we found several species flowering which were not included in our previous list.

Particularly noticeable this time were the numbers of Aristea angolensis although they close in the early afternoon so areas that were showy in the morning were unremarkable an hour or so later.

Aristea angolensis

There was a clump of shrubby Protea caffra with clustered inflorescenses, and between the rocks Isoglossa obovata was putting up stiff competition. We even found a Reed Frog that was convinced we could not see him sitting on a twig.

Protea caffra

Isoglossa obovata

Reed Frog

In the afternoon we walked along the cliffs in the reserve just below Blencathra and found Ceropegia linearis in flower on the rocks near a patch of bright Helichrysum adenocarpum. 

Walking along the cliff edge in the reserve

Helichrysum adenocarpum

Ceropegia linearis

Participants: Anne S, Dorothy M, Graham G, Kate G, Maggie A, Uschi T.