African Wildlife Environment Issue 75 FINAL

other raptors such as Verreaux’s Eagle-owl, Brown Snake-eagle, Tawny Eagle and a series of owls brings eager bird watchers. Fifteen other bird species that are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species are also found on the reserve. The Blouberg Conservation project runs a vulture project to promote the endangered Cape Griffon (vulture) and other vulture species through community involvement. The reserve has the world's largest breeding colony of Cape vultures, with 1,250 breeding pairs at the last count in September 2019. Regular sightings of this raptor and the uncommon northern Rüppell’s Griffon are more than likely. A good variety of animals, including buffalo and leopard, also inhabit the Reserve. Its topography renders a diverse array of habitats which in turn accommodate numerous species of plant and animal life. On the plains sector, game is abundant with special mention of Cape Buffalo, Sable Antelope and leopard. It is predominately bushveld savanna with baobabs and tambotis standing prominently on the northern plains. Natural forest occurs on the mountain's southern slopes, which includes a large Outeniqua yellowwood. This tree was given official protection in 2013. Spend time in the underground hide at Buffelspan to view and photograph the game as they come to drink. The hidewas themost recent project completed by the Friends of Blouberg (VvB-FoB) in 2017. WESSA REGIONS / BRANCHES / FRIENDS

T he reserve is graced with a beautiful mountain, as well as typical bushveld. The varying topography, from mountain down to the plains, and the Brak River in the south, lends itself to a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Climate The reserve is situated in a summer rainfall region, with a moderately high summer rainfall and dry and cold to frosty winter periods. Average annual rainfall is 410 mm per year, the bulk of which is received during the summer months. The area receives the least amount of rainfall during July and August (each with an average monthly rainfall of 0.38 mm per month) and the most in December (with an average monthly rainfall of 93 mm per month). The monthly average of maximum temperatures for the reserve ranges from 22°C in July to 31°C in February. The region is coldest during July when temperatures drop to an average of 9°C at night. Wildlife With such a large selection of trees comes a prolific bird population. Blouberg Nature Reserve has a bird list of well over 225 species and sighting over 100 different birds in one day is not unusual. The chance of seeing the rare melanistic Gabar Goshawk and

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