Game Sightings:

Members visiting the farm during June were treated to some excellent game viewing.

There was a general increase in lion activity on the farm this month and regular sightings were reported by members.

John and Jill Nicholson witnessed a lioness stalking and attempting to kill an impala near the Leadwood tree.

A buffalo bull was killed at the Clubhouse Dam by a pride of nine lions and provided some excellent viewing. This pride was on the kill for almost four days, with a pack of seven hyenas in attendance waiting for a chance to feed. The interaction between the pride as well as the hyenas was incredible; this was really a fantastic sighting.

A pair of mating lions was observed on several occasions in the vicinity of the Clubhouse.

A beautiful lone male lion has been seen on numerous occasions, he seems to be in his prime and in perfect condition; totally unphased by vehicles and people and has provided some really quality sightings.

The lioness with cubs seems to have moved onto the Thomas property in the Klaserie. They are now at the age where they will start moving further afield with the mother and I am sure that they will be introduced to the rest of the pride in the near future.

Leopard sightings have not been very productive this month, although Lauren Pinker and friends from no10 had a special sighting of a mother and cub near the airstrip reservoir. A big male was also seen on the tarred road adjacent the Ndlopfu entrance.

Cheetah sightings were good this month. The big territorial male has been recorded in the Umbabat and eastern Klaserie on numerous occasions this month. We have a classic photograph of him marking territory and spraying urine at the 50kph speed sign on the tar road…talk about attitude!

Elephant have been common on the farm during June. Big breeding herds have been regular visitors and a herd of at least 60 elephant including many young calves were seen at the Big Dam. Elephant bulls are seen often and I have had numerous reports of them swimming in the Big dam. There still seem to be a number of collared bulls in our area at the moment.

Rhino sightings have been good. A single male is very active to the north east of the farm and has a number of active middens. He has provided some lovely sightings; recently while sitting at Yankee Dam one evening he came down to wallow and moved within 5 meters of the vehicle, completely relaxed. This was a really special sighting as the full moon was rising at the same time.

A rhino cow and calf are also seen on a regular basis, although they are still rather skittish at the moment.

Buffalo sightings have been common on the farm this month. The big herds move through the property on a regular basis.

General game sightings are still poor. Very few sightings of zebra, wildebeest and giraffe were recorded. Kudu sightings have increased as well as waterbuck.

The hippo is still resident in the Big Dam and is often joined by another individual. The dry conditions are now forcing him to move further from the dam to feed at night and his dung has been recorded as far away as the Clubhouse and the airstrip.

This time of year is not very productive for unusual bird sightings.

Clive Pinker reported a very good sighting of a Martial eagle feeding on a large leguaan. (Tree monitor)