Faerie Glen Nature Reserve

Faerie Glen Nature Reserve is a small 128ha nature reserve situated within the city limits.

The reserve's vegetation is a transition zone between Bankenveld (grassland), sour mixed bushveld and sour bushveld (Acacia veldt). The perennial Moreleta Spruit flows at the foot of the Bronberg Mountains and a large part of the reserve lies within the flood plain of this spruit and is mainly covered in grassland. Tall grasses occur along the spruit with a few reed beds in the stream. The Moreleta Spruit transects the reserve. A wooden bridge was recently erected in the eastern section of the reserve to facilitate the crossing of the spruit on foot. A section of the Bronberg Mountains forms the northern border.

Residential areas border the southern and eastern sides. The footpaths are easily followed. There is also a steep concrete path that can be followed to the top of the mountain and descends through a wooded area on the eastern side.

Specials that can be found in the reserve include African Black Duck, European Nightjar, European Bee-eater, Red-throated Wryneck, Brown-backed Honeybird, swallows and swifts, Marsh Warbler, Cape Grassbird, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Cape and Village Weaver. In summer the grassland holds large numbers of Southern Masked Weaver, Red Bishop, White-winged Widow and Red-collared Widow.

Grassbirds are common and Levaillant's Cisticola also occurs here. This is also the best area for swallows and swifts and a typical summer's afternoon should produce Greater and Lesser Striped and White-throated Swallow, Barn Swallow, as well as Palm, White-rumped and Little Swift. Rock Martin can also be expected, especially in winter. Tawny-flanked Prinia is common, and in late summer Marsh Warbler is guaranteed.

Other seedeaters are not common, but small groups of Bronze Mannikin and Common Waxbill are found regularly. The grassland is burnt almost every winter, and then Crowned, Blacksmith and Wattled Lapwing, as well as Spotted Dikkop can be expected. Diedericks Cuckoo is present in considerable numbers in summer. African Black Duck is regularly found flying along the stream. Lesser Swamp Warbler is resident and Cape and Village Weavers breed in isolated spots.

In the Acacia thornveld, Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Long-billed Crombec, Rattling Cisticola, Black-chested Prinia and Neddicky occur in considerable numbers with Crimson-breasted Shrike also present. In summer these species are augmented with Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher. Also look out for Cut-throat and Red-headed Finches. Amongst seedeaters Yellow-fronted and Black-throated Canaries are the most common, especially in the morning. Helmeted Guineafowl keep to the grassland in the thornveld. During winter the Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird moves into trees with mistletoe.

The mixed woodland houses various birds, of which Red-throated Wryneck, White-bellied and Amethyst Sunbird and Streaky-headed Seedeater can be expected with every visit. Acacia Pied Barbet, Cardinal and Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Brown-backed Honeyguide, Black Cuckooshrike, Arrow-marked Babbler, White-throated Robin-Chat (in denser areas), White-browed Scrub-Robin, Brown-crowned and Black-crowned Tchagra (the latter especially along the hillsides), Orange-breasted Bush Shrike, Violet-backed and Cape Glossy Starling, and Bokmakierie are almost always present in small numbers and can be found anywhere.

In summer Red-chested and Black Cuckoo often call from denser trees and during caterpillar outbreaks in late summer, Striped Cuckoo can be expected. The thick bush is the best spot for Southern Boubou and Bar-throated Apalis and in summer African Paradise Flycatcher is regularly seen here. The hills sometimes produce something rare, such as a rock thrush or Striped Pipit, but generally not much happen there. On the side of the kloof there are dead trees that are often used in summer as perches for European and White-fronted Bee-eaters.

Raptors are scarce in FGN. Black-shouldered Kites can be expected from time to time, and in late summer Yellow-billed Kite and Steppe Buzzard may occur. Now and then a sparrowhawk, or even a young African Harrier-Hawk can be seen.

The best time for birding is in summer, especially in the morning or late afternoon. Up to 75 species can be expected on a summer morning, but 40 species are guaranteed, even on a winter's afternoon. About 150 species have been recorded, including very rare birds such as Corncrake and River Warbler.

Directions from OR Tambo Int'l Airport

Take the R21 from Johannesburg to Pretoria and turn off onto the N1-North to Polokwane shortly before you reach Pretoria and then the Lynnwood/WNNR off-ramp Turn right at the traffic light, cross over the freeway and follow the road for ± 3km. Turn right at the (5th) traffic light onto the M33 (General Louis Botha Drive). ± 1km further there is a sign indicating the Faerie Glen Nature Reserve/Plumbago Tea Garden on your left. It takes approximately an hour from OR Tambo International Airport.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude: 25°46'27"S
Longitude: 28°17'29"E (pentad 2355_2955)

Contact

Tel: +27(0)12-348-1265/6 (8462)

Additional Information

There is no charge but you must sign in at the gate. Security at the gate and in the reserve has lately been upgraded but it is not recommended that you visit the site alone.

There are no facilities within the reserve but the Plumbago Tea Garden is situated at the entrance.

Gate opening and closing times
	Open	Close
Summer	06H00	19H00	Sep-Apr
Winter	08H00	18H00	May-Aug