Site description
Entumeni is located 8 km west of Eshowe. Most of the site slopes steeply, the altitude range being 570–781 m a.s.l. The Ngoje River, which rises just outside the reserve, runs through the forest. Rainfall averages 1 200 mm per annum, falling mostly in summer. The greater portion of the site is Coastal Scarp Forest. Two patches of grassland, totalling 34 ha, are also present on the site, as is a further 38 ha of lightly wooded grassland.
Birds
The forest holds a small breeding population of the globally threatened Spotted Ground Thrush Zoothera guttata. It also holds the important Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba delegorguei, Chorister Robin-Chat Cossypha dichroa, Brown Scrub Robin Erythropygia signata, Black-bellied Starling Notopholia corrusca, African Broadbill Smithornis capensis and Grey Sunbird Cyanomitra veroxii. The last occurs only seasonally and at lower altitude. Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus breeds in the reserve and a family of Southern Ground-Hornbills Bucorvus leadbeateri includes the Entumeni grasslands in its territory. The forest also supports up to three pairs of Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus.
IBA trigger species
Globally threatened species are Spotted Ground Thrush (20–30 breeding pairs and 50–70 individuals) and Bush Blackcap Lioptilus nigricapillus. The regionally threatened Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon also occurs. Restricted-range and biome-restricted species include Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Chorister Robin-Chat, Olive Bush-Shrike Chlorophoneus olivaceus and Black-bellied Starling.
Other biodiversity
Blue duiker Philantomba monticola and bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus are common. The forest is botanically diverse, containing spectacular trees such as Philenoptera sutherlandii, Ficus burkei, Margaritaria discoidea and Albizia adianthifolia. The orchids Eulophia streptopetala, E. ensata and Ansellia africana are also found in the reserve, as is the cycad Encephalartos villosus. The population of this cycad is important in South Africa. Millar’s tiger moth Callioratis millari, which was thought to be extinct, was recently rediscovered in the grasslands.
Conservation issues
Threats
The forest is in fairly good condition. Past exploitation has been minimal. Few alien weeds are present and the main infestation on the western boundary is being controlled. There are currently no threats to the forest, nor are there plans for any development in the area.
Conservation action
The reserve is formally conserved and managed by EKZNW.
Related webpages
Contact
If you have any information about the IBA, such as a new threat that could impact on it, please send an e-mail to iba@birdlife.org.za or call BirdLife South Africa +27 (11) 789 1122.
Page last updated
Monday, 26 January 2015
Further Reading
None known