Game Sightings:

Most of the migratory bird species have started departing the Lowveld. The Woodland Kingfishers have left us (they move north to Angola and beyond) There are still a few Whalbergs Eagles around, although most of them seem to have already departed. The Yellow-billed Kites seem to be on their way and the swallows and bee-eaters seem to be gathering for their long trek home. This is a sure sign of winter setting in.

Raptor sightings were excellent during March. The following raptors were reported by members:

Martial Eagles, Brown Snake Eagles, African Hawk Eagles, Black-Chested (breasted) Snake Eagles, Steppe Eagles, Steppe Buzzards, Fish Eagles, Walberg’s Eagles, Booted Eagles, Lesser Spotted Eagles, Tawny Eagles, Lappet-faced vultures, White-headed vultures, White-backed vultures, Hooded vultures, Bateleur Eagles, Dark Chanting Goshawks, Yellow-Billed Kites, Black- Shouldered Kites and Amur Falcons (Eastern Red-footed Kestrels).

Some of the waders recorded around the Big Dam area were as follows:

African Spoonbills, White-Breasted Cormorants, African Darters, Goliath Herons, Saddle-Billed Storks, Grey Herons, Green-Backed Herons, Black-Crowned Night Heron, Yellow-Billed Storks, Woolley- Necked Storks, Marabou Storks, African Openbill (uncommon summer visitor, I had a fantastic sighting of a single bird in the natural pan near David’s Crossing), Plenty of Hammerkop’s, Spurwinged Geese, Egyptian Geese, Comb’s (African Knob-billed Ducks), White Faced Ducks, Southern Pouchards, Yellow-Billed Ducks, Black-Winged Stilts and numerous small waders.
Giant Kingfishers and Pied Kingfishers were also seen at the Big Dam.

Lion sightings were good during March. Two separate prides have been frequenting the farm, one group of six (one young male and five females) and another group of seven (three young males and four females).

Philip Fourie and family of no 32 were lucky enough to see both prides on their visit to the farm during the latter part of March. A beautiful big black-maned lion has also been seen regularly and seems to be dominant in the area at present.

The pride of six was recorded recently without the young male. With this big dominant male taking-up residence in the area, he could possibly have ousted the younger male or possibly even have killed him.

Elephant sightings have been common on Ndlopfu this month. Once again it seems to be the bulls that are dominating the area at present. I saw a group of thirteen bulls together recently in the Big Dam area. Elephants are often seen swimming and cooling off in the Big Dam during the heat of the day. A few small breeding groups have also been recorded on the farm recently. These groups seem very relaxed and have provided some lovely viewing. A number of big collared elephant bulls have been recorded on Ndlopfu during March. Historically, the winter period in the Umbabat has always attracted a number of big elephant bulls, single and in small groups. They seem to favour the mopane as a winter food source.

Rhino sightings have improved this month. A single relaxed bull has been seen often as well as a group of three. (Two adults and a calf)
The middens in the Yankee area are very active and I am sure that members will start seeing rhino regularly on the farm in the future as soon as these animals start settling down and becoming more habituated to people and vehicles.

Large herds of buffalo have been common on the farm this month and I am sure that most members visiting the farm have been fortunate enough to see them. At times we have had two big herds on the farm at the same time.

Leopard sightings have not been very productive this month. Evidence of tracks shows that they are active on the farm but very few sightings have been recorded lately.

General game sightings have been good. The group of wildebeest is still resident on Ndlopfu and move between Hardies’ Crossing and Yankee Dam. They now number 15 with two young calves being lost.

Zebra and giraffe are seen regularly.

Waterbuck have been recorded near Windmill Pan as well as Clubhouse Dam.

Impala are in the midst of the rutting season at present. Large bachelor herds are common on the farm. The dominant territorial males are kept busy defending their harems from other threatening males.

Two separate sightings of serval were reported by members this month.
There seems to be an increase in smaller carnivore sightings and African Wild Cat sightings have also been more regular. This might be due to the increase in rodents on the farm.