| Virginia Bush Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
  Map of KwaZulu-Natal | |
| Location | Durban, South Africa |
| Coordinates | 29°46′11″S31°02′40″E / 29.76984°S 31.0445293°E |
| Area | 38 ha (94 acres) |
| Governing body | D'MOSS |
Virginia Bush Nature Reserve is a 38 hectare coastal bush reserve in the suburb of Durban North, Durban, South Africa. [1] The reserve is currently under the auspices of the Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D'MOSS). [2]
Previously natural grassland, [3] the area was once used for market gardening and military purposes, but is now a demarcated municipal nature reserve. [4] The area is in the process of being proclaimed a national nature reserve. [5]
The following birds can be in Virginia Bush: the natal robin, bluebilled firefinch, boubou shrike, bush shrike, flycatcher, green twinspot, grey waxbill, purple crested-lourie and the whitebrowed robin. [3] [6]
Dwarf mongoose, red and white duiker and spotted genets are known to inhabit the area. [3] [6]
Wild hibiscus, natal figs and milkwood trees are found in the reserve. [6] Many of the species of vegetation are alien. [3]
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa that was created in 1994 when the government merged the Zulu bantustan of KwaZulu and Natal Province.
Durban is the third-most populous city in South Africa, after Johannesburg and Cape Town, and the largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Situated on the east coast of South Africa, on the Natal Bay of the Indian Ocean, Durban is the busiest port city in sub-Saharan Africa and was formerly named Port Natal. North of the harbour and city centre lies the mouth of the Umgeni River; the flat city centre rises to the hills of the Berea on the west; and to the south, running along the coast, is the Bluff. Durban is the seat of the larger eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, which spans an area of 2,556 km2 (987 sq mi) and had a population of 4.2 million in 2022, making the metropolitan population one of Africa's largest on the Indian Ocean. Within the city limits, Durban's population was 595,061 in 2011. The city has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, wet summers and mild, dry winters.
Durban North is an area to the north of Durban in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Durban North lies between the N2 freeway and the eastern seashore, with the Umgeni River forming its southern boundary. It has residential suburbs that are some of Durban's most affluent and is flanked by La Lucia in the north.
uMhlanga, alternatively rendered Umhlanga, is a residential, commercial and resort town north of Durban on the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, which was created in 2000 and includes the greater Durban area. The name means "place of reeds" in the Zulu language, and the correct pronunciation of "hl" in uMhlanga is similar to the Welsh "ll".
The gorgeous bushshrike is a species of bird in the family Malaconotidae. It is also known as the four-coloured bushshrike. Some use the name gorgeous bushshrike for the subspecies Telophorus viridis viridis only.
Burman Bush is a nature reserve in Morningside, Durban, situated some 8 km north of the CBD. At about 50 hectares it constitutes a small circular enclave of coastal forest which forms part of the Durban Municipal Open Space System (D'MOSS). It is the northern remnant of a forest that once covered much of the Berea ridge. The reserve's elevation varies from 19 to 133 m a.s.l.
Pigeon Valley is a Natural Heritage Park and formally declared municipal nature reserve in Durban, South Africa. It is an unusual example of an urban reserve with very high levels of biodiversity. It was established to provide protection for the Natal elm and other forest giants of the coastal climax forest. Another rare tree that occurs here is Natal forest loquat, which is endemic to the Durban area and to oNgoye Forest.
Empisini Nature Reserve was established in 1973 and is situated in Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The reserve is approximately 60 ha in extent and is owned by the borough of uMkhomanzi which has been incorporated into the eThekwini municipality. Empisini is managed jointly by eThekwini and the Umkomaas centre of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. Empisini takes its name from a perennial stream which flows through it, and means "Place of the Hyena" in isiZulu. The reserve consists of coastal forest, wetlands, grassy slopes and a dam. Infrastructure consists of hiking trails, demarcated picnic sites, overnight cabins, and a tree house.
The Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, conserves 668 ha of the Molweni and Nkutu River gorges that incise the sandstone Kloof plateau in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The reserve conserves coastal scarp forest, sourveld grassland, a cliff face biotope, and aquatic environments along its rivers. Scarp forest is a threatened forest type, protected by South Africa's forests act of 1998, while the grassland is classified as KwaZulu-Natal sandstone sourveld, the most threatened terrestrial habitat in the Durban metropole. The reserve was established in 1950 and was augmented by land donations as late as 1999.
Seaton Park Nature Reserve is conservation area in the suburb of Durban North, Durban, South Africa. The reserve is a six hectare remnant of coastal forest, with trails throughout. The park is named after a Mrs Seaton, who bequeathed the land for the park.
Yellowwood Park is a quiet suburb of the city of Durban, South Africa, established in 1960. It is 14 km southwest of central Durban.
Bluff Nature Reserve is a 45 hectare protected pan and forest in the suburb of The Bluff, Durban, South Africa. The park was proclaimed in 1974, making it Durban's oldest nature reserve, and is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
North Park Nature Reserve is a protected area along the banks of the Umhlatuzana River, near Queensburgh in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The park was proclaimed in 1968 and is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
The Clive Cheesman Nature Reserve is a protected area of riverine forest and grassland in the suburb of Kloof, Durban, South Africa.
Bayhead Natural Heritage Site is a 20ha nature reserve of mangrove forest and coastal grassland within the industrial area of Durban Bay, South Africa. The reserve is a remnant of what was once the largest mangrove swamp in the province.
Roosfontein Nature Reserve is a protected nature area in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Threatened protected species such as the Dwarf Chameleon and Tephrosia inandensis are found in the reserve, which is an example of North Coast Grassland.
Silverglen Nature Reserve is a 460 hectare conservancy on the Umlaas River located aside the suburb of Silverglen, Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The reserve is the largest piece of coastal grassland and bush clump mosaic in Greater Durban, and is home to the first medicinal plant nursery in Africa, established in 1986.
Giba Gorge Nature Reserve is an environmental precinct in Outer West Durban, South Africa. The gorge is a natural valley carved by the Giba River, with steep rocky cliffs and natural grassland slopes. Within the precinct is a mountain bike park with a 35km single track.
Msinsi Nature Reserve is a seven hectare private nature reserve on the grounds of the University of KwaZulu Natal's Howard College Campus in Glenwood, Durban. The reserve protects one of the last remaining patches of natural grassland in Durban. The name "Msinsi" is Zulu for the Erythrina Iysistemon or Coral Tree which is found within its boundaries. The reserve is home to a number of small mammals and birds, and was once the site of a mango tree plantation, some of which remain today.
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