Experiences Nature Experiences Stutterheim District – A Treasure Trove of Biodiversity
| Stutterheim District – A Treasure Trove of Biodiversity |
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The richness of the Flora and Fauna of Stutterheim and environs offers a feast for the Eco-tourist and Nature lover. Whether your interests are Wild Flowers, Birds, Butterflies or just hiking and exploring in breathtaking landscapes, the wealth of Nature that you will experience in Stutterheim will astonish you. This is because Stutterheim offers a world of different ecosystems and biomes in one district - lush Southern Mistbelt Forest, Amathole Montane and Mistbelt Grassland, Kei and Eastern Cape Escarpment Thicket. All these biomes exist within a short driving distance of the town and can be accessed by means of hiking trails and guided excursions. Each is home to some very special rare and endemic plants, birds and animals. The climate of the district is mild and benign – plentiful rainfall to sustain the lush forests and grassland, never too hot in summer or too cold in winter, with many glorious sunny days to explore the beauty at your doorstep. The extensive forests on the southern slopes of the Amathole Mountains form a backdrop to the town. Hiking trails under giant Yellowwoods (Podocarpus latifolius and Afrocarpus falcatus) and Cape Chestnuts (Calodendrum capense), which are but some of the many tree species, lead to frothy waterfalls in the depths of the forest. These forest are home the critically endangered Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) and birdwatchers are assured of sightings of these rare birds. Other special birds that are at home in the forests include the Knysna Loerie (Tauraco corythaix), the Narina Trogon (Apaloderma narina), the Orange Thrush (Zoothera gurneyi) and the Grey Cuckooshrike (Coracina caesia), to name but a few. The Hogsback Toad (Anhydrophryne rattrayi) is endemic in the Amathole mountains and breeds in boggy areas on the forest floor, where you might also find beautiful Velvet Worms (Peripatopsis sp) in the humus. Africa’s largest butterfly, the Emperor Swallowtail (Papilio ophidicephalus) can be seen floating from flower to flower in the summer. Two other rare butterflies that have been recorded here are the Black Charaxes (Charaxes karkloof) and the Golden Flash (Chrysoritis phosphor), a shy canopy dweller that sometimes descends to sip at mud pools on hot days. The sharp alarm call of the Samango Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis) often alerts one to the presence of a troupe and if you walk silently it is possible that you will encounter Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) around a bend on the forest roads. The grassland surrounding the forests are extremely rich in wild flowers including three species of Protea, Protea caffra, Protea subvestita which are small trees and Protea simplex which is a small ground protea. Hiking trails that lead up to the high grassland above the forest will reveal masses of wild flowers throughout the summer, including some rare endemics like the Amatola Fire Lily, Cyrtanthus suaveolens, Erica amatolensis the beautiful pink Watsonia amatolae, at least three species of Hairbells and two species of Nerines. The red data listed Brachystelma caffrum with tiny yellow flowers is a rare find in pockets of soil on dolerite sheets. There are numerous beautiful ground orchids throughout the mountain grassland – The stunning Disa pulchra which flowers in December, being the ultimate show stopper. The mountain wetlands and seeps contain colonies of small bright Pokers - the yellow Kniphofia fibrosa and the red Kniphofia triangularis. Other special wetland plants that can be found are – Cyrtanthus breviflorus, Chironia krebsii and Wurmbea elatior. The endemic Amatola Toad (Bufo amatolicus) breeds in temporary rain pools and seepage in these high altitude grasslands. Special birds that may be encountered are Buff Streaked Chats (Oenanthe bifasciata), Ground Woodpeckers (Geocolaptes olivaceus) and if very lucky, occasional Striped Flufftails (Sarothrura affinis) may be flushed from the thick grass cover in which they hide. The Amatola mountains are also home to some rare endemic butterflies – two of the Opals being the prizes that Lepidopterists come to find – Chrysoritis turneri amatola and Chrysoritis penningtoni. It is indeed a tragedy that the East Cape Department of Water Affairs and Forestry is unable to control the illegal grazing of cattle from the nearby Keiskammahoek villages on some of the most sensitive areas on the high slopes of Mt. Thomas and Mt. Kubusie where previously pristine montane grassland is rapidly being degraded. Exploring the regions east of the town and after traveling through rolling grassland interspersed with forest fragments on the sheltered southern slopes of the hills, you will come to the Bolo and Quanti areas and eventually to the great Kei River valley with its steep bush-clad slopes, rocky cliffs, deep gorges and riverine forest. The Quanti and Bolo rivers are tributaries of the Kei which can be accessed from a number of farms with friendly owners. The ecotones where grassland and valley thicket merge on the edges of the steep valleys are places of particular botanical interest where a number of rare and endemic species occur. The Kei Bolo trail which leads down to the confluence of the Bolo and the Kei Rivers and then doubles back between the steep sides and cliffs of the Bolo River Gorge, will be one of the most exciting you will ever walk. The plant and animal life in this remote and secluded gorge is unequalled anywhere. Two new plant species have recently been described from here – Cyrtanthus macmasteri which occurs on the high slopes above the gorge and Cotyledon pendens, a cliff dwelling succulent festooning the vertical rock faces in the gorge. Another remarkable cliff succulent from the Bolo Gorge is Huernia pendula which, in contrast to most other short stubby Huernias, has adapted to cliffs by hanging in long stems from the soil pockets where they are rooted. Interesting plants like the bottle brush flowers - Haemanthus humilis and Haemanthus albiflos, can also be found on the cliffs. If it’s a hot day and you are in need of cooling, the many clear rock pools in the gorge are very inviting. The specialised habitats in the Kei Valley are home to a great variety of birds. Black Eagles (Aquila verreauxii) nest on the cliffs; Giant Eagle Owls (Bubo lacteus) laze away the days on trees in the gorges; Trumpeter Hornbills (Bicanistis bucinator) make their presence known by their lamb-like bleat; at least four species each of Kingfisher and Woodpecker haunt the pools and riverine forests; Pied Wagtails (Motacilla aguimp) run along the sandy river banks; Mocking Chats (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) gambol on the cliffs. Troops of Baboons (Papio cynocephalus), alarmed at the intrusion, bark from the cliff summits. The thicket and riverine bush is also home to many specialised butterflies – for instance the Saphires, Iolaus sidus, Iolaus silas and Iolaus mimosae; all their larvae feed on parasitic plants attached to trees and shrubs Cycads are a special attraction. The Moonstone Magic Cycad Trail in the Quanti area will take you to a unique site at the back of Moonstone Hill where three species of Cycad occur side by side, probably the only place in South Africa where three species can be seen together – Encephalartos princeps, which is endemic to the Kei Valley, Encephalartos frederici and the dwarf species, Encephalartos caffer. On the slope up Moonstone hill the magnificent burgundy coloured Hairbell (Dierama atrum) can be encountered and in the Forest patch below the summit there are banks of Cape Primrose (Streptocarpus primulifolia) and a number of orchids including Brownleea coerulea. From the summit there are magnificent views of the Kei Valley and often one sees Crowned Eagles (Stephanoaetus coronatus) circling the forest below. Small groups of Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) round off this hilltop experience. On the rocky slope on the Kei side of the hill there are many special wild flowers to be encountered - the Giant Cyrtanthus, (Cyrtanthus obliquus), Cyrtanthus macmasteri, Cyrtanthus macowanii and the Century Plant (Boophone disticha) with its massive bulbs and fan-shaped foliage. The Stutterheim Eco-Experience is one you will remember and to which you will constantly wish to return. |