CITY OF NATURE RESERVES NATURE RESERVES

BRACKEN BRACKEN NATURE RESERVE NATURE RESERVE

INTRODUCING THE AREA INTRODUCING THE AREA

This 36 hectare reserve consists mainly of the critically endangered Swartland This 36 hectare reserve consists mainly of the critically endangered Swartland granite and sand fynbos vegetation types, which in general granite renosterveld and vegetation types, which in general are poorly conserved. are poorly conserved. In the 1700s the hill overlooking was known as Kanonkop due to the In the 1700s the hill overlooking Brackenfell was known as Kanonkop due to the cannon that was stationed there. It was used to signal the farmers of ships arriving in cannon that was stationed there. It was used to signal the farmers of ships arriving in the harbour to which they could sell their produce. A granite quarry was located on the harbour to which they could sell their produce. A granite quarry was located on the hill between 1950 and the early 1970s after which it was closed down and the hill between 1950 and the early 1970s after which it was closed down and turned into a landfill site. Bracken Nature Reserve was later earmarked as a core turned into a landfill site. Bracken Nature Reserve was later earmarked as a core botanical site. botanical site. In 2013 a ‘6 pounder’ cannon was donated to Bracken by Nature In 2013 a ‘6 pounder’ cannon was donated to Bracken by . Visitors are encouraged to visit the site and learn more of its history. Reserve. Visitors are encouraged to visit the site and learn more of its history. Perdekop is a small satellite nature reserve situated along Kruin Street and is not Perdekop is a small satellite nature reserve situated along Kruin Street and is not normally open to the public, except on special occasions. This area needs special normally open to the public, except on special occasions. This area needs special protection and is a delight to visit. Feel free to contact management for authorised protection and is a delight to visit. Feel free to contact management for authorised access. access.

BEING RESPONSIBLE BEING RESPONSIBLE

Please: Never: Please: Never:

 Enjoy activities available  Bring pets  Enjoy activities available  Bring pets

(see icons above)  Light fires (see icons above)  Light fires

 Keep to the pathways  Remove or pick flora  Keep to the pathways  Remove or pick flora

 Take your litter home with you  Remove or injure fauna  Take your litter home with you  Remove or injure fauna

 Remove rocks  Remove rocks

BIODIVERSITY BIODIVERSITY

Flora Flora

To date more than 10 endemic and threatened plant species have been confirmed To date more than 10 endemic and threatened plant species have been confirmed at Bracken Nature Reserve. Some of these include Lachenalia aloides, Lampranthus at Bracken Nature Reserve. Some of these include Lachenalia aloides, Lampranthus glaucus (endangered) and Orbea variegata. In spring, the reserve is usually covered glaucus (endangered) and Orbea variegata. In spring, the reserve is usually covered with a beautiful blanket of Dimorphotheca pluvialis, commonly referred to as ‘Cape with a beautiful blanket of Dimorphotheca pluvialis, commonly referred to as ‘Cape daisies’, as well as other spring flowers, such as the rooi gousblom (Gazania daisies’, as well as other spring flowers, such as the rooi gousblom (Gazania krebsiana), Felicia filifolia and the groot disseldoring (Berkheya armata). To date krebsiana), Felicia filifolia and the groot disseldoring (Berkheya armata). To date more than 300 plant species have been recorded. more than 300 plant species have been recorded.

Fauna Fauna The nature reserve also supports a great diversity of wildlife. Regularly sighted are the The nature reserve also supports a great diversity of wildlife. Regularly sighted are the red-capped lark, black-shouldered kite, peregrine falcon, southern double-collared red-capped lark, black-shouldered kite, peregrine falcon, southern double-collared sunbird and many more. sunbird and many more. Other mammal species found in the reserve include the small grey mongoose and a Other mammal species found in the reserve include the small grey mongoose and a myriad of rodents. Large mammals consist of a small population of Cape grysbok myriad of rodents. Large mammals consist of a small population of Cape grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis), small spotted genet (Genetta genetta) and polecat (Raphicerus melanotis), small spotted genet (Genetta genetta) and polecat (Ictonyx stiatus) that has recently been added to the list. Reptile species include the (Ictonyx stiatus) that has recently been added to the list. Reptile species include the Cape dwarf chameleon, parrot-beaked tortoise (endemic to the ), Cape dwarf chameleon, parrot-beaked tortoise (endemic to the Western Cape), Cape golden skink, Cape cobra and mole snake. Cape golden skink, Cape cobra and mole snake. The reserve also supports a variety of insect and amphibian species such as the The reserve also supports a variety of insect and amphibian species such as the vulnerable Cape sand frog and the critically endangered Cape rain frog. vulnerable Cape sand frog and the critically endangered Cape rain frog.

USEFUL INFORMATION USEFUL INFORMATION

Address: 2 Reservoir Street, Brackenfell Address: 2 Reservoir Street, Brackenfell GPS -33.878326 S, 18.708431 E GPS -33.878326 S, 18.708431 E

Opening hours: Daily, 07:30 to 16:00 Opening hours: Daily, 07:30 to 16:00

Entry fee: None Entry fee: None

Public transport: Taxi or train Public transport: Taxi or train

Tel: 021 444 0380 / Fax: 021 982 7135 Tel: 021 444 0380 / Fax: 021 982 7135

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

For the latest updates on tariffs, opening hours, maps or any other information, please contact management For the latest updates on tariffs, opening hours, maps or any other information, please contact management or visit www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves. or visit www.capetown.gov.za/naturereserves.

2016-01-05 2016-01-05