Friends of Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve

15/06/2026

🌿 Exciting news for nature lovers! 🌿

The Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve now has its very own Project on iNaturalist – set up by iNat Ambassador, Timothy Hedges.

🔍 What does this mean?
Any observation uploaded to iNaturalist within the reserve’s boundaries will automatically be captured under the SKVNR Project.

How you can help:

📱 Before you visit the Reserve – download the free iNat App,

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.inaturalist.android

check out the Project to see what species have already been recorded on the reserve and what you potentially might see there.

https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/seekoeivlei-nature-reserve

📸 While you’re at the reserve – help us grow the species list! Upload your photos or sound clips for identification.

Visit the Reserve webpage to see what accomadation they have available:

https://www.destea.gov.za/?page_id=5960

Like their page on Facebook to keep up to date:

https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064038935168

💡 Want to learn more about iNaturalist or host a BioBlitz in your area?
Reach out to Timothy Hedges, iNaturalist Ambassador on 083 693 8977.

Let’s document and protect Seekoeivlei’s incredible biodiversity together! 🦉🌾🐸

iNaturalist - southern Africa
My Dorp Memel - Free State Tourism
Memel
BirdLife South Africa
Morne Pretorius
Timothy Hedges

Lions River Honorary Officers

21/05/2026

Large Grey / Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon). This specie predominantly occured along South Africas coastline where it preferred river systems and or wetlands.
Due to shrinking habitat, food scarcity and predation this specie is observed more regularly inland near wetlands.

Large Grey Mongoose is seen regularly on Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve since 2018. This individual was looking for food at the Moorhen Hide.

29/04/2026

Importance of Wetlands illustrated well through this video of RAMSAR.

03/02/2026

Thank you Pick n' Pay, Rand Water and Birdlife SA for this Educational Wetland poster.

For the educational booklets on wetlands follow this link https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AX25GnD3K/

30/12/2025

Klipriver is still flowing strong and most of the vehicle tracks on the reserve is inaccessible with 2x4 vehicles.

30/12/2025

Some recent pics and videos of the wetland.

20/08/2025

13/08/2025

Started installing new signage / notice boards at Seekoeivlei for our visitors.

12/06/2025

NEW GUIDELINES FOR SURVEYING AND MITIGATING IMPACTS TO WHITE-WINGED FLUFFTAIL

Guidelines for surveying and mitigating impacts on White-winged Flufftail in avifaunal assessments for development applications is now available!

The White-winged Flufftail is one of Africa's most threatened and elusive waterbirds - a globally Critically Endangered species that breeds only in South Africa and Ethiopia's high-elevation wetlands.
These comprehensive guidelines provide avifaunal specialists with:
✅ Habitat suitability assessment tools
✅ Advanced surveying techniques using passive monitoring equipment
✅ Mitigation strategies such as buffer zone recommendations
Endorsed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), these science-based guidelines are essential for protecting the bird while supporting sustainable development.

Download your free copy:https://www.birdlife.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Guidelines-for-surveying-and-mitigating-impacts-to-White-winged-Flufftail-layout-pages.pdf

03/06/2025

Best Practice Guidelines for High-Elevation Wetland and Peatland Management in Southern Africa

Wetlands deliver essential ecosystem services worth billions of Rands to replicate. Despite their economic value, they face ongoing threats worldwide. This is concerning for water-scarce regions like southern Africa, especially under climate change forecasts. High-elevation wetlands form part of the water towers in the upper reaches of our catchments that provide, support, and regulate water resources to many downstream users. While the impact of destroying wetlands is obvious, a more subtle impact is degradation through mismanagement.


Scientific understanding of wetlands and their management has improved but remains inaccessible to those responsible for stewarding these ecosystems, primarily private and communal landusers. BirdLife South Africa and partners have developed simplified and illustrated management guidelines for high-elevation wetlands (above 1 400 m) in southern Africa's mesic grassland regions. These guidelines are designed for land users (landowners, farmers, traditional authorities, protected area managers) and their advisors, providing practical knowledge to balance land use with wetland conservation, benefiting communities, future generations, and wildlife.


Download your free copy:https://www.birdlife.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Wetland-Management-Guidelines-layout-pages.pdf


Limited physical copies are available to wetland practitioners (e.g., government officials, consultants, NGOs) for collection from the BirdLife South Africa Headquarters: Isdell House, 17 Hume Road, Dunkeld West 2196, Johannesburg, South Africa


For more information, please contact Dr Kyle Lloyd, Wetland Conservation Project Manager/Rockjumper Fellow of White-winged Flufftail Conservation, BirdLife South Africa, [email protected]