Flora and Fauna

Plants

When we moved here in the late 1980s this area was neglected and overgrown by invasive alien plants. After building and clearing the invasives we undertook an extensive replanting project, planting thousands of indigenous trees and plants. Many of the trees are endemic to the area, such as the magnificent silver trees (Leucadendron argentum) and the rare Leucadendron macownii that have become re-established here from our plantings.

This area is part of one of the world's smallest but most diverse plant kingdoms, known as the Cape Fynbos (fine bush) which describes the fine leaves of the dominant vegetation types. There are over 2500 species of plant on the Cape Peninsula alone, and nearly 6000 in this floral kingdom. Fynbos consists of four main groups, the protea group, Ericacea (heaths), Restios (reeds) and geophytes, or underground bulbs, along with many other species.

The position of this property places it in a transition zone between the Afromontaine forest and the lowland sandplain fynbos zone. We have accordingly planted to suit this zone.

The area behind the cottages has been planted with forest species that include yellowood, cape ash, cape chestnut, cape fig, cape beech, wild olive, and other lesser known trees such as assegaai wood, spoonwood and wild peach.

The rest of the garden is planted with more traditional lowland sandplain fynbos, typical to the area.

Birds

The garden attracts a wide variety of bird species. We have identified over 50 varieties of birds in the garden from the spectacular sunbirds that feast on the aloes and proteas, to prowling hawks, kites and buzzards. There are resident owls and the noisy guinea fowl breed here in significant numbers every year. We also have some more reclusive birds like the olive thrush and the cape robin.

There are flocks of little witogies (white eyes) starlings and cape canaries that feast on the fruit of the indigenous trees at various times of year. We have several varieties of dove and pigeons, notably the forest rameron pigeon, rock pigeons and the soothing turtledoves that lull one to sleep on a warm summer's afternoon.

Animals

There are several mammals, resident and visitors alike. Porcupine are a constant nocturnal visitor, attracted by the huge numbers of arum and watsonia bulbs that they relish. If you hear crashing and snorting at night, don't be alarmed, just observe these fascinating animals from a safe distance.

Another nocturnal visitor is the civet cat – it is reclusive and you will be lucky to spot one. Several local sightings have been made of lynx as well.

There are several grey mongoose around the property who enjoy the guinea fowl eggs and also chase off and eat snakes, lizards and frogs.

There are also large colonies of striped cape field mice. If you sit quietly in the lower section of the garden you can watch them scampering along their well worn runs in the long grasses.

The huge sand heaps in the garden are made by the cape dune mole rat (Bathyergus suillus), which is not a true mole. It is a prodigious digger and there are large colonies of them here. The big ones are the size of a cat. They are a protected species and are endangered from habitat loss due to urbanisation and other human interference. They have impressive, ever-growing incisor teeth of up to 15 mm! A few years ago during a wet winter a mole warren collapsed into a 1.5 meter deep by 2 square meter sinkhole!

Snakes

There are several snake species on the property. The largest are the mole snakes - they need to be big to catch the dune mole rats! These are constrictors, like pythons, and do not present any toxic danger to adults or children, although they may move toward you if confronted. Do not pick them up as they can give a nasty bite with their powerful jaws.

There are also several varieties of grass snake, some water snakes and other smaller species. We do occasionally find puff adders but remove them whenever we find them. They generally hiss very loudly when approached; if you hear something like a punctured tyre, move slowly away, call me and I will catch and relocate it. If you are not sure what snake you are seeing, call me anyway!

There are also occasional cape cobras. These are generally shy and will steer clear of people; adders are somewhat lazier. Both adders and cobras are extremely venomous and should not be approached by anyone unfamiliar with snakes. They usually provide adequate warning before striking.

We recently found a large boomslang, a species which is probably moving back to this area because of the trees maturing and the increasing presence of birds that they prey on. These are also venomous but their venom is very slow acting.

I have walked here barefoot for decades and have not yet had any close encounters, besides having to evict a couple of puff adders from my garage and rockery.