WILDLIFE REPORT SINGITA SABI SAND, SOUTH AFRICA For the …singita.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Singita-Sabi-Sand... · 2017. 10. 31. · WILDLIFE REPORT SINGITA SABI SAND, SOUTH

WILDLIFE REPORT SINGITA SABI SAND, SOUTH AFRICA

For the month of November Two Thousand and Sixteen

Temperature Rainfall Recorded Sunrise & Sunset Average minimum : 17˚C (63˚F) For the month: 12mm Sunrise 05:40 Average maximum : 29˚C (84˚F) For the season to date: 55.5 mm Sunset 17:50 Minimum recorded : 12˚C (54˚F) Maximum recorded : 37˚C (99˚F) ‘Tis the season of all things small. The last few weeks we have been fortunate enough to watch the Sand River rise and fall shortly after a rainfall in the evening. It’s been building up and the few showers that we have experienced have been a delight, as we watched the bush turn a dark shade of green. Before the rain puddles began to evaporate, tortoises were moving really quickly across the roads to quench their thirst (actually they were moving pretty slowly but you know what I mean). Here's a highlights package of the month's sightings: Wild Dogs: Sightings of two different packs have been recorded this month. The sightings have been infrequent but always memorable.

Lions: The Mhangene pride is dominating the area and many of lion sightings. The cubs are a highlight, as there never seems to be a dull moment in the life of this large pride when they are active after a good meal. The lions continued to follow the remaining buffalo that were wandering along the Sand River in search of good grazing material just before the rains arrived. We have been privileged to watch the Othawa lioness with her three young cubs for several weeks, where she has remained south of the river. The den-site was merely a thicket along the edge of a river. Limiting the vehicles at the sighting, along with providing sufficient space for the lioness and cubs to feel comfortable, payed off as she kept them in the area for most of the month, awarding many guests and guides a glimpse into a lion den-site. Leopards: When the lions are away the leopards are out to play! The sightings have been nothing short of phenomenal. The N’weti male leopard seems to enjoy residing just north of Ebony Lodge and on more than one occasion after finishing one carcass, he simply finds another unsuspecting prey animal in the thickets along the river, coincidentally using the same tree to hoist his prized meal. The Hlabankunzi female continues to patrol in the surrounding areas of the lodges and we suspect that she may just be looking for a hiding spot for her offspring. Now that would be a great Christmas present! Buffaloes: There were a few reports this month of larger groups being seen north of the river. Elephants: Elephant sightings have been in waves, seen today and gone tomorrow. With the flush of new life in the vegetation there is no longer a need for them to remain in close vicinity of the river. On a few occasions during some really warm days, the herds continue to move along the river rewarding with some good entertainment for the guests watching from the open decks of the lodges.

Here and there Article by Leon van Wyk Astounded as I am that 2016 is rapidly drawing to a close, I pause to reflect briefly on the last few weeks, and to be reminded for the umpteenth time how transient everything is. Welcome, but not excessive rains have arrived timeously, and when one observes how green the habitat has suddenly become, it is easy to think that the drought is over and that those animals that were struggling to survive will miraculously regain their condition and bounce back to a state of well-being. It takes time, however, but the cycle will continue as it is meant to. Apart from the many high profile sightings that typically receive the most attention, this is a time of year to enjoy and appreciate so much more, so I will mention just a few moments that come to mind. In last month’s journal, we dispelled the myth that most babies in the wild arrive in spring, and it was explained that although some species are seasonal in their reproductive patterns, many are not. Right now, however, is indeed the season for impalas to drop their lambs, and some guides, trackers and guests have been fortunate enough to witness a birth.

I have enjoyed some quality sightings of very young elephant calves of late. Since they are not seasonal breeders, elephants with new babies can delight anyone at any time of the year.

It is mid-summer now, and hot, humid days often bring welcome rain in the form of thunderstorms. Often these will be followed by much cooler conditions for a day or two. During a recent afternoon game drive it rained steadily and the temperature plummeted. Guests wrapped up warmly and were pleased that we had decided to put a roof on our vehicle for the afternoon. Just as we were questioning the wisdom of being out on drive in the rain, we encountered four lionesses and twelve cubs lying very close to the road, clearly not enjoying the rain and the sudden cold! Several of the cubs huddled close together to derive maximum benefit from each other’s body warmth! A day or two later, on a fairly cool afternoon, we were amused to find a young male leopard curled up right in the middle of a rhino midden! Was it warm? Was

it comfortable? He certainly seemed to find it comfortable for himself, but whether it was any warmer than the surrounding ground is debatable.

A pack of painted hunting dogs gave us some good viewing again in late November, and it is interesting to note that both litters of pups are still with the pack. On one morning the dogs chased a male impala into Joe’s Dam (a waterhole south of the airstrip.) The impala took a desperate but brave decision to plunge into the water, and remained there for about an hour, with the dogs showing interest in him, but being very reluctant to take the plunge themselves. They circled the waterhole numerous times, but the impala bravely stayed where he was. While this was happening, most of the pups busied themselves with play, which obviously used up a lot of their stored energy. The final outcome was probably inevitable, and while not too many guests witnessed it, suffice to say that it did not end well for the impala! Dung beetle activity is probably at its best at this time of the year, and especially on those warm, humid mornings after a night of rain. It can be fascinating to just get off the vehicle and watch the hub of activity on and around a pile of elephants or rhino dung. The dung of most herbivores actually is attractive to dung beetles (of which there are many species), and one has to admire the determined spirit of the industrious males as they fight over a ball of dung, before the victor rolls it away backwards towards his destination. The dung ball will provide nutrition not only for the adult beetles of both sexes, but for the larvae as well. A blacksmith lapwing recently laid three eggs very close to the road at Camp Pan (another small waterhole.) Because lapwings lay their eggs on the ground, with no substantial nest structure, the adults need to be very protective, and are notorious for becoming aggressive towards any potential threat. I have on a number of occasions seen lapwings object so vehemently to an approaching buffalo, that the buffalo changed its course and did not trample the eggs.

As one drives past Tavungumi Koppies (prominent rocky outcrops just to the south-east of Boulders Lodge) one notices the beautiful Lebombo cluster-leaf trees (Terminalia phanerophlebia) that are now in blossom. A closer inspection of the flowers shows that they are borne on elongated “spikes,” and when close enough to them, one notices that they are quite sweetly fragrant. The other Terminalia tree found in this area, mainly on the upper edges of seep lines, is the silver cluster-leaf (Terminalia sericiea), whose flowers may look similar, but their scent is more reminiscent of that of unwashed socks! Also flowering at this time of the year is the sickle-

bush (Dichrostachys cinerea) whose attractive flowers (pink and yellow spikes) are unmistakable, hanging lantern-like from the mimosa-type branches. Leopard orchids are also still flowering, their yellow flowers with brown spots giving them their name. These orchids are usually found quite high up in trees, but they are not parasites, as they do not use the tree for nourishment, merely for physical support – the tree is the substrate on which the orchid anchors itself, so such a plant is considered an epiphyte.

Summer is a great time of year for birding, with many of the migratory species being around. Many of the resident bird species are just as beautiful, but one of the reasons for good birding at this time of the year is the fact that there is increased termite activity, the highlight of this being the emergence of alates (winged reproductive termites), which feed so many other creatures. There is really so much out there in the summer, and so often it is the little things which are the most fascinating. The web of Nature is so complex and yet so simple, in that fortunes fluctuate, and hard times give way to easier times. What a wonderful continent Africa is… let us look after her well!

Glorious mud Article by Ross Couper With the jolly season upon us, we cannot help think the wildlife think the same about a muddy bath or the downpour of rain. As we watch them frolic in the mud for various purposes there is enjoyment within their actions.

A walking trail allows for you to engage in your senses and with the muddy water about the reserve it would mean the unlikely residents may stay longer in the muddy pools, much like this hippo bull below. He was clearly not happy to be disturbed as we rounded a corner in the Land Rover and discovered that he resided in a pool of mud in the middle of the road.

Rhinos don’t spend long hours bathing in the mud but they will enjoy a good roll in the mud from side to side to cover as much of their body as possible, often sitting in the muddy pools. Scratching the dry mud off their skin will provide the opportunity for ticks or any other unwanted parasites to be removed.

As we gather for the festive season, an opportunity arises to reflect on what makes us happy and count our blessing for what we have, even if they are described as being as glorious as mud!

Favourite roads Article by Grant Pengilly The word “road” even seems too limiting, it is more of a track, or vague pathway of two parallel yet definitely not straight, lines through the bush. There are many of them, and people often wonder how on earth we know where we are in this wonderful maze. Not only do we know exactly where we are, all the roads have names that need to be remembered, but we also have our favourite places to be. “This is my favourite road!” I find myself saying it very often, in lots of different places, so in my case it’s definitely a few favourites. Every guide I have met has a favourite road. Even if it’s just one road, for whatever reason it may be, everyone has a favourite. The trees, the rocks, the sand, the birds or the animals you may encounter. There is also a certain beauty in the way we have created these gentle winding paths that so gently intermingle with nature, which even makes photographing them enjoyable. The way the light may fall, or the way the track creates a gentle wave through a photo makes it very satisfying to look at. These are a few of my favourite roads, and the reasons why I love them. River Road West The trees along this road are incredible, giant leadwood, jackalberry and Natal mahogany line the fringes of the Sand River which this road follows all the way along its path. With the river as an attraction, there is always something along this road, whether it be the thicket-loving antelopes like bushbuck and nyala, ever thirsty elephants, lazy hippos in the water or the myriad water birds that thrive along the river, there is always an element of excitement and satisfaction exploring this beautiful track. Ravenscourt-Ravenscourt No typo in the name, the reason it is a double take has something to do with the history of this area in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. This road use to split the farm Ravenscourt into two separate pieces of land, a western and eastern half. These two separate portions are now one, but the road is there as a reminder of the way things once were. As well as being an arterial road, Ravenscourt Ravenscourt traverses a number

of different habitats. Starting in the north you head into bushwillow and knobthorn woodland dotted with a few beautiful open grassy patches. Over the first crest you descend into one of the larger drainage lines that runs from west to east across Singita called the Ximobonyane ( pronounced “shimobonyaan”) drainage, an excellent place to keep a sharp eye out for leopards, who like to use these gullies to move under cover. As you continue southwards this road introduces you to the vast open areas in the south of the reserve which are great for spotting plains game like zebra and wildebeest, giraffe and occasionally cheetah.

I could continue because like I always say, in a place as wonderful as the bush, it’s impossible for me to have one favourite of anything. So I’ll leave the rest up to the guides and trackers out there. Ask them about their favourite roads, a good story is sure to accompany their reason why.

Story with a surprise ending Article by Ross Couper The Xudulu female leopard dragged a carcass for well over three hundred meters. We watched in anticipation as she walked past several good areas where she would be able to stash the carcass in thick foliage and later hoist the remains if needed. Where was she going? We continued to follow her as she moved swiftly through an open grass field and finally dropped the carcass.

Two young leopards bounded out of the bush to greet her. With complete instinct, they immediately started fighting over the Nyala carcass, unaware of what their mother went through to bring it to them. It can often be difficult to witness these types of sightings when one animal is clearly the prey and the other the predator, it is an emotional tug as to who should survive. It is a defining moment watching a predator lose or win, much the same as the prey, who do we root for and why did we decide one was better over another? In this sighting we were rewarded and the carcass was food for a new generation of leopards that will also face the harsh reality of survival at some point in their lives. This was a witness of nature in its truest form between the survival of the species and the ecosystem that carries a fine line of balance on who wins today may lose tomorrow.

Bird List 200 species counted in November. Specials included: Bushveld pipit, crowned hornbill and rock kestrel.

Photographs on location (unless stated) by Ross Couper, Leon Van Wyk and Grant Pengilly Singita Ebony and Boulders Lodge

Sabi Sand South Africa

Thirtieth of November 2016