Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
This site consists of a wetland on the private farms Wilge Rivier, Chatsworth and Bedford c.20 km east of Harrismith. The farms consist primarily of flat grassveld plains, most of which are used for growing maize, wheat, soya beans and pasture grass, while most of the remaining natural grassland on the slopes is grazed by sheep and cattle. A very large, impressive wetland is situated on the properties. This wetland is minimally disturbed or modified, and is possibly only grazed lightly for part of the year. The vlei has three major arms, which unite in a main channel running below a steep ridge on the wetland’s northern border. On sections of the vlei adjacent to the steeper slopes, there are extensive, broad beds of
Phragmites, up to 2.5 m tall, which often contain a rich mixture of other plant species such as
Carex,
Cyperus,
Typha,
Schoenoplectus and
Leersia. On the side of the wetland adjacent to the shallow slopes, the vegetation comprises extensive patches of
Typha and mixed sedges, with some grass. Around the edges there are numerous small depressions and inlets with combinations of sedges and grasses, which further increase the diversity of the vegetation.
See Box for key species.
Sarothrura ayresi has been recorded at the site. There is enough habitat to support between 30 and 50 birds, a higher estimated total than for any other single site in South Africa. Potential habitat for
Porzana pusilla occurs regularly around the edges of the wetland, and it may also breed here.
Balearica regulorum occurs at the site regularly.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The farms on which this wetland occurs are privately owned. The site appears to be in an excellent and minimally disturbed or modified condition. It is apparently only grazed lightly, possibly for only part of the year. This extensive wetland is undoubtedly one of the best high-altitude palustrine wetlands in South Africa, and is probably the best in terms of its undisturbed nature. It may hold more
Sarothrura ayresi than do the best sites in other Provinces. It should be accorded the highest possible conservation status and its vegetation and avifauna should be studied in detail at the earliest possible opportunity. This impressive and beautifully sited wetland holds phenomenal ecotourism potential. A scoping exercise to determine the feasibility of building a dam on the wetland has been conducted—such dam-building should be avoided at all costs.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ingula Nature Reserve (South Africa). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ingula-nature-reserve-iba-south-africa on 22/12/2024.
