Hawane Nature Reserve
Encyclopedia
Hawane Nature Reserve was first established in 1978 to protect an area of marsh along the Mbuluzi river. This area included the natural habitat of Kniphofia umbrina, a rare Swaziland endemic red hot poker
. When the Hawane dam was built in 1988 to provide Mbabane
's water supply, the reserve was expanded to protect the surrounding wetlands. The reserve is managed by the Swaziland National Trust Commission
.
The reserve's main attraction is its wealth of birdlife. A trail is provided for bird-watching. Bird species include lanner falcon
, egyptian goose
, pied kingfisher
and white-faced whistling duck
.
Kniphofia
Kniphofia , also called Tritoma, Red hot poker, Torch lily or Poker plant, is a genus of plants in the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae, that includes 70 or more species native to Africa...
. When the Hawane dam was built in 1988 to provide Mbabane
Mbabane
-References:...
's water supply, the reserve was expanded to protect the surrounding wetlands. The reserve is managed by the Swaziland National Trust Commission
Swaziland National Trust Commission
The Swaziland National Trust Commission is the custodian of Swaziland's cultural and natural heritage. It is governed by The National Trust Commission Act of 1972...
.
The reserve's main attraction is its wealth of birdlife. A trail is provided for bird-watching. Bird species include lanner falcon
Lanner Falcon
The Lanner Falcon is a large bird of prey that breeds in Africa, southeast Europe and just into Asia. It is mainly resident, but some birds disperse more widely after the breeding season.-Description:...
, egyptian goose
Egyptian Goose
The Egyptian Goose is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is in the shelduck subfamily Tadorninae, and is the only extant member of the genus Alopochen...
, pied kingfisher
Pied Kingfisher
The Pied Kingfisher is a water kingfisher and is found widely distributed across Africa and Asia. Their black and white plumage, crest and the habit of hovering over clear lakes and rivers before diving for fish makes it distinctive. Males have a double band across the breast while females have a...
and white-faced whistling duck
White-faced Whistling Duck
The White-faced Whistling Duck, Dendrocygna viduata, is a whistling duck which breeds in sub-Saharan Africa and much of South America.This species is gregarious, and at favoured sites, the flocks of a thousand or more birds arriving at dawn are an impressive sight...
.