Game Sightings:

The beginning of April was reasonably productive as far as game sightings go and members visiting the farm over the first long week end were treated to some really quality sightings.
Good lion sightings were recorded over this week-end. The pride of eight lions was seen regularly over this period. Other sightings recorded over this week-end were rhino, breeding herds of buffalo, numerous elephant sightings (including a breeding group) and a male cheetah.

The second long week-end was not as productive from a game viewing perspective but reports of leopard, elephant, buffalo and two lionesses were recorded.

On the 24th I witnessed the pride of eight lions on a wildebeest kill. This was the lone territorial wildebeest bull that was often seen slightly to the north of the Big Dam. This pride has been seen regularly on the farm over the April period.

Elephant sightings have been good during April but certainly tapered off towards the end of the month. A small breeding group often moves onto Ndlopfu from the Klaserie and seems very relaxed. A number of calves make up part of this herd.
There have been several reports of elephant swimming in the Big Dam recently. I have witnessed them swimming on numerous occasions this month and have had some really incredible sightings.

Rhino sightings have been regular over the April period. A lone bull is very active between the Big Dam and Yankee Dam area, also moving between Ndlopfu and the KPNR. This bull is extremely relaxed and provides for some excellent game viewing. He has active middens on the Rietvlei cut-line and near Yankee Dam and I have regularly seen him drinking at Yankee Dam in the evenings.
A cow and calf are also active on the farm (sometimes joined by the bull) but are still very nervous and skittish.

Buffalo have been seen often on the farm this month. The big breeding herds have provided regular sightings and a few lone bulls have been recorded in some of the natural pans.

Leopard sightings have once again been irregular and very few sightings have been reported by members.

General game sightings were not as productive as previous months, there seems to be a drop in zebra, wildebeest and giraffe numbers this month. A few waterbuck sightings were recorded and members reported an increase in kudu sightings on the farm. Impala numbers are high and obviously very common on the farm at the moment. April is still very much part of the impala rutting season and big bachelor herds can be seen all over the farm. The familiar guttural, rutting call is evident throughout the day and night.

At one stage during April, we had three hippos resident in the Big Dam. There seemed to be much fighting and aggression amongst them. It seems that two males were fighting over the female as well as the territorial rights to the Big Dam.

No unusual or irregular bird species were recorded this month. Spur winged geese, African black ducks, Pygmy geese, giant kingfishers, a pair of saddle-billed storks, Wooley-necked storks, Fish eagles and Green-backed herons have been observed at Big Dam.

African Spoon-bills and Saddle-billed storks can often be seen at the Clubhouse Dam.

No unusual raptor sightings were recorded this month.