| Uitkamp Wetland Nature Reserve | |
|---|---|
 Watsonias and Arum lilies growing in the Uitkamp wetlands | |
 | |
| Location | Durbanville,South Africa |
| Coordinates | 33°48′57″S18°38′26″E / 33.8159°S 18.6406°E /-33.8159; 18.6406[1] |
| Area | 32 ha (79 acres) |
| Established | 2001 |
| Uitkamp Wetland Nature Reserve | |
  Uitkamp Wetlands (South Africa) Show map of South Africa Uitkamp Wetlands (Western Cape) Show map of Western Cape | |
Uitkamp Wetland Nature Reserve is a 32-hectare (79-acre)wetland reserve located inDurbanville in theWestern Cape province ofSouth Africa .[2]
A wetland valley that was proclaimed anature reserve in 2001, this park lies within a region ofSwartland Shale Renosterveld.
The reserve consists of five disjointed areas separated by roadways. It protects over 279 species of plants, of which 30 are threatened[3] and many are very rare. More commonpink watsonia andarum lily cover the wetland in the spring, along with restios, orchids, sundews and other colourful flowers.[4]
A major threat to thewetlands is from the invasive alien plantsPort Jackson (Acacia saligna) andKikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum);[5] 15 invasive plant species have been recorded.[3]
The most abundant aquatic plant species areTypha capensis (which is an indigenous invader in this environment) andJuncus effusus.[3]
Animals found within the confines of the reserve are mostly smaller and nocturnal. Bucks found are theCommon duiker,Steenbok andCape grysbok.Large grey mongoose is the top predator within the reserve.Caracal and theCape fox are thought to visit occasionally.[3] Other mammals include:
There are 67 species of birds found within the reserve.[3]
There are 13 species of reptile found within the reserve; 4 lizard, 6 snake, and 3 tortoise species. The most common lizard species is theOcellated gecko. Some of the snake species are:[3]
Tortoises include theMarsh terrapin and theParrot-beaked tortoise.
One species of amphibian has been found in the reserve, theClicking stream frog.[3]
TheCape autumn widow is found here.[3]
