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Springbrook Farm
skznbs 7.3
Categories: trails; guide; booking required
Springbrook is an 1100ha dairy farm in the Highflats district. It is mainly mist-belt grassveld with five dams, surrounded by protected wetlands. All the pastures are planted zero till and eco friendly farming practices make this an ideal environment for birds. Natural corridors are left between pastures and hay making, for birds and animals.
Many raptors can be seen as they search for prey over the pastures and grassveld; these include Long-crested, Wahlberg's and Booted Eagles, African Marsh-Harrier, Forest & Steppe Buzzards, Black-shouldered & Black Kite and Lanner Falcon.
In the trees surrounding the house one can see Long-crested Eagles building their nest, Black Sparrow Hawk preening and Wahlberg's Eagles feeding their fledgling.
Specials to look out for are African Fish-Eagle, Wahlberg's Eagle, African Rail & Black Crake, White-backed Duck & South African Shelduck, Red-necked & Swainson's Spurfowl, Red-winged Francolin, Broad-tailed Warbler, Croaking, Pale-crowned & Zitting Cisticola, Grey Crowned Crane, Denham's Bustard, Spotted Eagle-Owl, Barn, Marsh & African Grass-Owls, Buff-Spotted & Red-chested Flufftail, Brubru, Red-throated Wryneck and Violet-backed Starling.
Directions
From Pietermaritzburg, take R56 for 80 km towards Ixopo. Turn left onto R612 towards Umzinto. After 13.6km turn left into Rydal Station Road , follow dirt road for 700m take first road right (signed), follow this road for 1.2km down to the house.
Additional Info
Springbrook is accessible to day visitors by appointment. A nominal entrance fee is charged. There is safe parking and toilet facilities are available in the homestead. There is also a trail guide available.
Habitats: Mist-belt grassland, wetlands and dams
Contact
Doug and Trish Strachan
Owners
- Tel: +27 (0)39 835 0086
- Mobile: +27 (0)82 411 2708
- E-mail: rydal@futurenet.co.za