Brenton-on-Sea lies within the Western Heads Goukamma Conservancy and contains important flora, including one of the largest remaining patches of the critically endangered Knysna sand fynbos vegetation type. The area is also home to several endangered butterflies, of which the Brenton Blue butterfly is best known, as well as endangered mammals such as caracal and honey badger.
The area is also of geological interest, comprising a series of wind-blown sand dunes running parallel to the coast which formed during the last Ice Age when the coast extended much further seaward. Fairly recent fossils of large mammals are occasionally exposed in these dunes. The dunes influence the micro-climate which in turn affects what plant species grow where.
Protea cynaroides
(Small-leaved Garden Route form)
(Cape Honeybee) on Agathosmaimbricata
Brenton wildlife team
A wildlife volunteer team was established to assist wildlife when needed, and to keep track of and record the ongoings of wildlife in the Brenton-on-Sea area.
The team consists of at least one member from each zone:
Zone 1: Judy Harrison, Amanda Louw and Christa le Roux
Zone 2: currently no volunteer
Zone 3: Angela Gaylard, Keith Fraser and Graham Cochrane
Zone 4: Iain Maricich and Jason Stunden
The Knysna Vet is called out for any veterinary work required.
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Angela Gaylard at ang.brenton@gmail.com or 0829606176
to indicate your willingness. No specific skills are required and you will be given all necessary training and guidance.
INATURALIST APP
Residents and visitors to Brenton-on-Sea are encouraged to make use of the iNaturalist application for any wildlife or plant observations. Sea creatures, both in the Knysna estuary and the ocean which can be observed from the shore, can be included.
This is a wonderful citizen science app that is used the world over to record sightings of any animals (including invertebrates) and plant species.
The best place to view photos of the fauna and flora in the Brenton-on-Sea area.
www.inaturalist.org/projects/brenton-peninsula-knysna
The app can be used to keep a list of species that you have seen, but it also forms a very important database for scientific research. Sightings of the same species over time provide important insights into the dynamics of animal distributions.
Nudaurelia cytherea on Banksia baueri
Drawing by Stephen Henning
Brenton blue butterfly
In Brenton-on-Sea lies a peaceful haven set aside for a fragile free-flying butterfly, the endangered Brenton Blue Butterfly. The Brenton Blue Trust was established in 1997 during the widely publicised campaign to save the butterfly.
The last breeding colonies of the tiny endemic butterfly were found here, and in 2003 the land was proclaimed a Special Nature Reserve to try to save the species.
An amazing symbiotic relationship exists between the Brenton Blue butterfly and Camponotus baynei, one of the at least 28 species of ants found at the butterfly reserve before the fire. Many members of the Lycaenid family of butterflies can only complete their life cycle in association with a particular ant species. After the fire in June 2017 only a few butterflies emerged in November 2017 but none have been seen since. Butterfly experts Dave and Hanna Edge have been searching over a wide area to find another colony of Brenton Blue butterflies so that they can be reintroduced to the reserve, but so far without success.
FAUNA
The wildlife in the area is diverse. The most common species are mentioned here.
Mammals
The most common mammals that may be spotted in the area include:
Bushbuck
Cape mongoose
Caracal
Honey badger
Porcupine
Small spotted genet
Southern right whale
Humpback whale
Birds
The most common birds in the area are listed below.
Garden birds
Cape Wagtail – Gewone Kwikkie
Fiscal Flycatcher – Fiskaalvlieëvanger
Cape Robin-Chat – Gewone Janfrederik
Greater Double-collared Sunbird – Groot-rooibandsuikerbekkie
African Hoopoe – Hoephoep
Cape Bulbul – Kaapse Tiptol
Helmeted Guineafowl – Gewone Tarentaal
African Sacred Ibis – Skoorsteenveër
Cape White-eye – Kaapse glasogie
Knysna Turaco – Knysna Loerie (more frequently seen in Brenton-on-Lake)
Raptures
African Harrier Hawk – Kaalwangvalk
Forest Buzzard – Bosjakkalsvoël
Jackal Buzzard – Rooiborsjakkelsvoël
Long-crested Eagle – Langkuifarend
Spotted Eagle Owl – Gevlekte Ooruil
Rock Kestrel – Kransvalk
Rock Kestrel – Kransvalk
Sea and shore birds
African Black Oystercatcher (near threatened) – Swarttobie
Cape Cormorant – Trekduiker
Little Egret – Kleinwitreier
Kelp Gull – Kelpmeeu
Black-headed Heron – Swartkopreier
Grey Heron – Bloureier
Squacco Heron – Ralreier
White-fronted Plover – Vaalstrandkiewiet
Black-winged Stilt – Rooipootelsie
Reptiles
Tortoises and the following snakes are the most common in the area:
Slug eater
Olive snake
Puff adder
Cape cobra
Boomslang
Arachnida
“The picture shows a rain spider wasp dragging a rain spider that it has paralysed. The wasp will take the spider to its nest, seal the nest and lay wasp eggs on the spider. The wasp larvae will then feed on the rain spider until they are ready to pupate (hatch).
I watched this wasp drag this huge spider all the way across Stinkwood Street. The wasp left its prey now and again to loudly threaten me. I was showing too much interest in its tasty meal!”
Nicky van Berkel
Palystes superciliosus dragged by Tachypompilus ignitus
Insects
Hopliini sub species on Hibiscus aethiopicus
Streblote cristata
Peziza ammophila – a cup fungus that grows in sand dunes
Lycus palliatus
FLORA
The natural vegetation in Brenton-on-Sea consists of a mosaic of different types of fynbos and thicket, including the critically endangered Knysna sand fynbos. Each of these vegetation types consists of numerous plant species, each playing a vital role in maintaining the diversity of wildlife in the area. There are many plant species that are of conservation concern in the area, all too easily removed when gardens are redesigned. Every effort should be made to retain the natural vegetation and to only plant locally indigenous species.
Mike Knight can assist to find suitable plants for your garden: 083 651 0934.
Lobelia neglecta
Leucospermum cuneiforme
Protected trees
The endangered, vulnerable and therefore protected trees in the area are:
Curtisia dentata – Assegai
Ocotea bullata – Stinkwood
Podocarpus falcatus – Outeniqua Yellowwood
Podocarpus latifolius – Real Yellowwood
Sideroxylon inerme – White Milkwood
No person may cut, disturb, damage or destroy a protected tree and may be fined.
Invasive alien plants
Invasive alien plants in the area include rooikrans, black wattle, Port Jackson willow, pine trees, blue gum, lantana, wild strawberry, oleander, morning glory and more.
For photos of the alien flora have a look at
https://westernheadsgoukamma.co.za/common-invasive-species-in-the-conservancy/
We appeal to residents to remove alien plants from their plots/gardens and to plant local indigenous plants in their gardens.
Knysna sand fynbos
The WHGC started a project, assisted by the Table Mountain Fund, that specifically looks at threat reduction and biodiversity conservation, restoration, and raising public awareness of the Knysna sand fynbos. For further information read here
https://westernheadsgoukamma.co.za/tmf-knysna-sand-fynbos-project/
Bryophyta sub species
Printzia polifolia