My Cycle Recap December/January
on Feb 27, 2024
With being in the bush all day, every day for 6 weeks we get to see the ebbs and flows that are not always noticed on the daily. Small changes in dynamics that are only noticed when looking back and reflecting. These past 6 weeks have been no different, alongside Tracker Lazarus, we have enjoyed countless memorable sightings.
The diversity of birds during the summer months is incredible, on any given day you can easily rack up a list more than 100 different species.
Woodlands Kingfisher
Lilac-breasted Roller
African Scops Owl
Blue Waxbill
Pin-tailed Whydah
There have been countless memorable leopard sightings. Ntsumi female continues to provide safety and meals for her two female cubs that are now approaching 7 months in age.
The Tengile female has two young cubs of her own. These cubs are still too young to view but with frequent sightings of her and visible signs of lactating, it should not be long now until she starts to bring the cubs out to feed on kills.
In typical Kigelia female behaviour, she has been moving vast distances daily, some days she is seen far north and the next in the extreme south. She has kept her cubs well-hidden this cycle, but we have had brief glimpses of these cubs, and they are in good health.
There have been continuous stand offs between the Khulwana male and Mawelawela male, with no clear winner yet. These two males are battling for the rights to be the dominant male leopards of the west and the rights to mating with Golonyi, Kigelia and Jacana females.
It was a treat to see the Jacana female on a couple of occasions this cycle as we have not seen much of her in ages.
The Gijima males have been frequent visitors this cycle spending most of their time with the Talamati Pride and more recently with the Styx Pride when not out patrolling and protecting their territory. Under the protection of the Gijima males, the Talamati Pride is growing with two of the females currently raising cubs. The future is bright for this young pride so long as the Gijima males continue to provide protection where there is potential pressure from the Nkuhlu coalition as well as the Kambula males that are growing in confidence.
The Styx Pride reunited over the past few weeks, with all five sub-adult females, the young male and the older female all seen together. This pride is growing in confidence and are incredible hunters. We hope in the new year we will start to see the Styx Pride with cubs again.
Although there is a healthy predator population, we still have high numbers of Scrub hares on the reserve. Scrub hares are extremely vigilant and with their long ears they can pick up predators approaching from long distances. These hares are incredibly agile and when fleeing predators, running at tremendous speeds in a zig-zagging motion making it extremely difficult for predators to catch them.
Spending time around waterholes, seasonal pans and drainage lines is extremely productive this time of year with many species making use of these areas. Buffalo, elephants and warthog spend the heat of the day mud bathing and feeding in close by shade, while a Monitor Lizard absorbs heat and waits for an opportunity for a meal.
It's never easy leaving the bush to go on leave and get some rest as I always fear the sightings I will miss while away. This is what always draws us back and I look forward to the next six weeks of adventure.
Blog by Jason Street (Bush Lodge Ranger)
