Game Sightings:

Game sightings during August were rather sparse, although there were a number of quality sightings recorded. Reported sightings were down due to the fact that August was not a very busy month with member’s occupancies.
The hippo in Big Dam has been seen regularly by most members and has been a welcome addition to the farm.

The highlight of the month has been a pack of wild dogs seen by members during mid August. The pack was made up of six adults and two sub-adults. They were seen near Yankee Dam by the (Fourie’s 32 and Groblers 4)
They are still seen regularly in the Klaserie, next door and I have a strong suspicion that they might have a den there.

Big herds of buffalo have been common on the farm during August. The one large herd seen near the clubhouse is estimated to be in the region of between 400 and 500 buffalo. A group of lone bulls is often seen around the Clubhouse area and regularly drink at the Clubhouse dam.

Elephant bulls have been seen often on the farm. A group of ten bulls was reported swimming in the Big Dam together.
Breeding herds of elephant on the farm have been scarce.

There is a lot of rhino evidence on the farm and the midden near Yankee Dam seems to be well used again. No reports of rhino were received from members. Generally it seems that once again the rhino have been moving nocturnally.

Lion sightings are becoming more frequent again. A pride of six, (2 young males and 4 adult females) has been seen occasionally on the farm. They seem very relaxed and habituated to vehicles.

There were very few leopard sightings recorded over the August period.

A leopard killed an impala at the building site of number 44 (Strydom) and evidence suggests that the kill was stolen by hyena shortly afterwards.
General game sightings have not been very productive during August on the farm. Zebra and waterbuck sightings are down and might start improving again after the rainfall season. There has been a remarkable increase in kudu activity with a lot of young kudu’s included.

The hyena den on the road to the airstrip is once again active. Only one adult and one cub have been observed in this mound.

The migratory birds should be returning to our area in the near future. To date, no special sightings have been reported.
The first migrants reported on Ndlopfu were Yellow-billed kites. There have also been unconfirmed reports of the first Wahlbergs eagles arriving.

A large flock of White-faced whistling ducks has been seen regularly at the Big Dam. This is a lovely sight and they have such a lovely whistling call.