{{Short description|Nature reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Springside Nature Reserve | alt_name = | iucn_category = | image = Stroomoewer, Springside Natuurreservaat.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = View on the grassland and stream vegetation | image_size = | map = South Africa KwaZulu-Natal | relief = 1 | map_alt = | map_caption = Location on a map of KwaZulu-Natal | map_width = | location = KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | nearest_city = Pinetown | coordinates = {{coord|29.778889|S|30.771944|E|region:ZA-ZN|format=dms|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = | established = 1948 | visitation_num = | visitation_year = | governing_body = | url = }} __NOTOC__ The '''Springside Nature Reserve''', proclaimed in 1948, is situated in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal. It conserves 21 ha of forest, grassland and wetland, and is managed by the eThekwini municipality and Hillcrest Conservancy. It was developed jointly by the Wildlife Society and the Hillcrest town board.<ref name=stuart>{{cite book |last=Stuart |first=Chris & Tilde |title=Guide to Southern African Game & Nature Reserves |year=1989 |publisher=Struik |location=Cape Town |isbn=0-86977-772-6 |page=134}}</ref>
==Fauna and flora== Some 150 species of bird have been recorded,<ref name=adu>{{cite web |title=Springside Nature Reserve |url=http://birp.adu.org.za/site_summary.php?site=29483049 |website=Birds in Reserves Project |publisher=Animal Demography Unit |accessdate=24 July 2014}}</ref> including forest weaver<ref name=stuart/> and visiting crowned eagles. Plants include tree ferns, waterberry and wild pomegranate. The reserve is relatively free of exotics, and a planned burning regime was implemented, which results in vigorous blooming of grassland flora when spring rains commence.
==Access and facilities== The entrance gate is opened at 7:30 am and closed at 4:00 pm. There are picnic and braai facilities, but no accommodation, and the resource centre can be booked for small meetings. A visitor can go on self-guided walks,<ref name=stuart/> or take part in organised wild flower (October, after burns) or monthly bird watching walks, which start at 7:30 am (summer) or 8:30 am (winter), on the second Wednesday of a month.
==References== {{reflist}} {{Commons category-inline|Springside Nature Reserve}}
{{Nature Reserves in eThekwini}} Category:Protected areas of KwaZulu-Natal