The hilltop area now forming Skyline Nature Reserve was originally coastal bush and grassland overlooking St Michael's. In 1936, 14 acres of the site were sold to Frank Duirs, who constructed a homestead before selling the property during the Second World War.[6] The land was later acquired in 1940 by Mr and Mrs Edwards, who expanded it to 38 acres and established windbreaks and gardens.[6]
In 1962, the property was purchased by Hugh and Mrs Nicholson, who developed an extensive arboretum through the clearance of gum stands, construction of access roads and dams, and planting of protective windbreaks.[7] After two decades of continued development, the Nicholsons donated the property to the Borough of Margate on the condition that it be maintained as a nature reserve. Professor Brian Rycroft became its first curator.[7]
Management of the reserve passed to the Natal Parks Board in 1985. Today, Skyline functions as a small coastal protected area contributing to the conservation of indigenous tree species and remnant coastal grassland along the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.[7]
Flora
The reserve's arboretum contains approximately 380 indigenous tree species (76 coastal species) and 400 exotic species.[2][4] Most trees are clearly labelled for educational purposes.[4] The reserve protects coastal lowland forest vegetation characteristic of the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany hotspot.[8][9][10]
Fauna
The reserve supports blue duiker (Philantomba monticola), grey duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), and bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus).[2][4] Dogs are prohibited to minimize wildlife disturbance.[4]
Notable bird species include Knysna turaco (Tauraco corythaix), Narina trogon (Apaloderma narina), and Cape batis (Batis capensis).[11] The reserve's position within the Uvongo River network makes it a prime birdwatching location.[4]
Amphibians
Several frog and toad species occur at Skyline Nature Reserve, reflecting the diversity of wetland and forest-edge habitats in the area. Species recorded on the reserve's educational signage include the forest tree frog (Leptopelis natalensis), painted reed frog (Hyperolius marmoratus), yellow-striped reed frog (Hyperolius semidiscus), snarling puddle frog (Phrynobatrachus natalensis), guttural toad (Sclerophrys gutturalis), red toad (Schismaderma carens), bush squeaker (Arthroleptis wahlbergii), and common platanna (Xenopus laevis).[12]
Visitor facilities
The reserve offers self-guided hiking trails (approximately one hour duration), birdwatching, cycling, and picnicking.[2][13] Entry is free, with access during daylight hours, though facilities are basic with no designated picnic areas or ablution blocks.[4][14]
Management
The reserve is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, which oversees over 57 protected areas in KwaZulu-Natal.[1] The organization was formed in the 1990s through the merger of the Natal Parks Board and KwaZulu Department of Nature Conservation following apartheid.[15]
Despite operating for over 60 years, the reserve remains relatively unknown, receiving primarily local visitors.[4] Small forest patches like Skyline are important for regional biodiversity and serve as refugia for forest-dependent species.[16]
Priority conservation planning has identified coastal forest belts as areas of high importance due to their species richness and endemism.[19][20] Management is guided by the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act No. 57 of 2003).[21]
↑Eeley, H.A.C.; Lawes, M.J.; Piper, S.E. (1999). "The influence of climate change on the distribution of indigenous forest in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa". Journal of Biogeography. 26 (3): 595–617. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2699.1999.00307.x.
↑Mucina, L.; Rutherford, M.C., eds. (2006). The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia. Vol.19. Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute. ISBN9781919976211.
↑Pooley, Elsa (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. Durban: Natal Flora Publications Trust. ISBN0-620-17697-0.
↑Draper, M. (1998). "Zen and the art of garden province maintenance: the soft intimacy of hard men in the wilderness of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 1952–1997". Journal of Southern African Studies. 24 (4): 801–828. doi:10.1080/03057079808708600.
↑Lawes, M.J.; Eeley, H.A.C.; Shackleton, C.M.; Geach, B.G.S., eds. (2004). Indigenous forests and woodlands in South Africa: policy, people and practice. Pietermaritzburg: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press. ISBN9781869140502.
↑Jewitt, D.; Goodman, P.S.; Erasmus, B.F.N.; O'Connor, T.G.; Witkowski, E.T.F. (2015). "Systematic land-cover change in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: implications for biodiversity". South African Journal of Science. 111 (9/10): 1–9. doi:10.17159/sajs.2015/20150019.
↑Lawes, M.J.; Eeley, H.A.C.; Bourquin, S.L. (2000). "Priority areas for the conservation of subtropical indigenous forest in southern Africa: a case study from KwaZulu-Natal". Biodiversity and Conservation. 9 (5): 617–638. doi:10.1023/A:1008954325662.
↑Lawes, M.J.; Eeley, H.A.C.; Findlay, N.J.; Forbes, D. (2007). "Resilient forest faunal communities in South Africa: a legacy of palaeoclimatic change and extinction filtering?". Journal of Biogeography. 34 (7): 1246–1264. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2699.2007.01696.x.
↑Goosen, Magda; Blackmore, Andrew C. (2019). "Hitchhikers' guide to the legal context of protected area management plans in South Africa". Bothalia. 49 (1): a2399. doi:10.4102/abc.v49i1.2399.
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