This is the biggest pigeon in southern Africa, and is common in the Fern Forest. The “olive” part of the name is presumably linked to part of the diet, because the plumage is a deep purple, spotted white. Vivid yellow feet and beak complete the attire.
The Cavern is a Site of Conservation Significance, an honour given to only those few sites in South Africa that qualify by virtue of outstanding natural features. The Cavern Nature Trail has been constructed to present most of these to visitors. It begins near the 70s block and follows well-used paths that link points of
For the past couple of months the big pines above Charlesworth Dam have concealed a mystery creature. The evidence has been a series of wails, screeches and other spooky noises. Suggestions have ranged from mating bushpigs to Tokoloshes. Because of the steepness of the slope investigation is not easy, but a large bird has appeared
This is the closest cousin of the Olive Thrush, so familiar in The Cavern garden. Normally the Karoo Thrush is found in the Karoo and on the Highveld, and is common in Jo’burg gardens. Imagine our surprise when one was seen pulling worms out of the lawn near the bowling green.
Secretary birds are often associated with big game reserves, but they are actually very widespread. Almost any open country will do, the Drakensberg included. A typical territory size is about ten square kilometres. The Cavern has a resident pair, often to be seen striding purposefully on the hillside leading to Camel’s Hump. They are looking
The ground hornbill is the largest of all African hornbills. It is a huge black bird with a bright red face; in flight large white wing panels are obvious. As the name suggests, it spends most of its time graciously strolling around. Unlike other hornbills it is entirely carnivorous, eating large insects and other invertebrates,
As you approach the Cavern Resort & Spa, in the Northern Drakensberg, the gentle arms of nature immediately cradle you. It is all around you; hillsides of waving grass hiding families of resting Mountain Reedbuck, steep rocky ravines with tumbling waterfalls, Protea-covered slopes, secret places within the forested kloofs. The hotel itself nestles happily at
The most common butterfly at the Cavern is the Garden Acraea. It is small, mostly dull orange with a few black spots, and with conspicuously transparent fore-wings. It flutters weakly around its favourite plant, Kiggelaria africana (Wild Peach tree). This is where it lays its eggs, so the caterpillars have the right food. Nearly every
About 2000 eland roam the Drakensberg and its foothills. Roam is the correct word, which is why we don’t see them at The Cavern every day. Summer tends to be spent grazing in the higher berg while the grass is at its most edible. Individuals congregate in breeding herds, maybe 50-strong. In winter the herds
Birds sing to advertise. Males do most singing, to announce that they hold a territory. The song warns other males to keep away, while enticing females to come closer. The song itself also identifies the species of the singer: it does not do to fraternise too closely with the wrong species. Because the song is
