Follow the recovery journey through the eyes of our conservancy members
In the recently burnt fynbos, a beautiful Palpares speciosus antlion was spotted among the recovering vegetation. These intricate antlions are usually active at night, their delicate wings catching the light as they flit through mountain fynbos habitats. While the adults are graceful and harmless, their larvae are formidable predators, hiding under sand at the base […]
In a recently burnt area of fynbos, a grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) was observed feeding on the first shoots emerging from the ash. Fires clear older vegetation and stimulate new plant growth, creating fresh food sources that herbivores rely on. Watching the grysbok nibble on these tender shoots highlights the important role post-fire growth plays in […]
Although the fire removed dense stands of mature invasives, it also created ideal conditions for rapid germination. Many invasive species, like stink bean (Parkia speciosa) are strongly fire-stimulated, and large flushes of seedlings are now emerging across the landscape. This post-fire window offers a valuable opportunity for cost-effective management, as young seedlings can still be […]
Within the recently burnt veld, isolated forest pockets continue to support wildlife. Camera traps have captured bushbuck, grysbok and porcupine moving quietly through these patches, highlighting the vital role they play in post-fire survival. Unlike the surrounding fynbos, forest pockets are far more sensitive to fire, but they often endure thanks to natural defenses. Milkwood […]
Across the stark, blackened flats and low-lying areas of Grootbos, thousands of crimson Candelabra lilies, Brunsvigia orientalis, have burst into spectacular bloom in the wake of the recent fires. For years, most of these plants lay hidden beneath dense fynbos, producing broad, strap-like leaves through winter and spring while steadily building reserves in their underground […]
Aulax umbellata (Broad-leaf Featherbush) has mastered the art of fire. This serotinous plant stores its seeds in tough, woody female cones, keeping them protected for years until the right moment arrives: a fire. In the video above, a burnt Aulax umbellata is gently shaken, releasing thousands of seeds that have been patiently waiting. After a […]
After the recent fire, Groeneweideβs wetland has been laid bare, revealing its full scale and beauty like never before. Streams, ferns, and hidden nooks that were once cloaked by dense vegetation are now open to view, creating a living mosaic of life and resilience. Fire is a natural reset for fynbos, but it also gives […]
Fire clears the stage, but it is the flowers that steal the first scene. In the few weeks following the fire of Grootbos, bright splashes of colour are emerging all over the reserve. These are the first blooms, plants that have waited patiently, sometimes for years, for this exact moment. Among the earliest to appear […]
In the quiet aftermath of fire, when the land still smells of ash, and the ground lies bare, life has a way of surprising you. Over the past few weeks, an unexpected visitor has appeared. A European Roller, or rather three of them, frequent the permanent waters of a nearby riverine area. With much of […]
