The last of the Barn (European) Swallows that have graced our skies all summer set off northwards in early April. Departure signs appeared a week or two before. Usually during summer the swallows spend all day on the wing, returning to a communal roost, usually in a reed-bed, overnight. But as the days grow shorter, […]
The leguaan is South Africa’s biggest lizard, and may grow to 2 metres in length. It loves the waterside and is a good swimmer and diver, using sideways movements of its flexible tail. Several live in the Cavern grounds and can be seen in the small dams.
The small raptors that perch, often in large numbers, on the telegraph poles and wires on the way to the Berg, are Amur Falcons. Males are almost pure pale grey, females have speckled black on white underparts. They are migrants from their breeding grounds in Siberia. The migration is one of the longest of all,
This is the biggest pigeon in southern Africa, and is common in the Fern Forest. The “olive” part of the name is presumably linked to part of the diet, because the plumage is a deep purple, spotted white. Vivid yellow feet and beak complete the attire.
NOW that the school holidays are over, Mrs Williams in Gr 4 at Malhurst Primary set her children the traditional task of writing about their holiday. Belinda Tamsen snatched up her pen and Mrs Williams knew that more secrets of the Tamsen family were about to be revealed. My Crismus Holliday By Belinda Tamsen (Gr
The Cavern is a Site of Conservation Significance, an honour given to only those few sites in South Africa that qualify by virtue of outstanding natural features. The Cavern Nature Trail has been constructed to present most of these to visitors. It begins near the 70s block and follows well-used paths that link points of
Colleen Hamer, teacher and painting enthusiast, will be running the courses. Art is her passion. The venue for this painting holiday is superb, The Cavern’s relaxed, friendly hospitality and superb cuisine is legendary and our studio is spacious, convenient with windows on three sides. You may sketch and paint out-of-doors in safe surrounds or can
For the past couple of months the big pines above Charlesworth Dam have concealed a mystery creature. The evidence has been a series of wails, screeches and other spooky noises. Suggestions have ranged from mating bushpigs to Tokoloshes. Because of the steepness of the slope investigation is not easy, but a large bird has appeared
This is the closest cousin of the Olive Thrush, so familiar in The Cavern garden. Normally the Karoo Thrush is found in the Karoo and on the Highveld, and is common in Jo’burg gardens. Imagine our surprise when one was seen pulling worms out of the lawn near the bowling green.
