October 2009
Rainfall and Temperatures
Temperatures
The average maximum temperature for this month was 32°C / 90°F and the average minimum temperature 17°C / 63°F. The average maximum temperature for October 2009 is slightly higher than October 2008, but falls within the range of temperatures that have been experienced during the previous years which gives the indication that temperatures are not increasing. The highest temperature recorded for October was 39°C / 102°F and the lowest was 13°C / 55°F.
Rainfall
A small amount of rainfall (23 mm) was received during the month, this was enough to allow many of the grass species to flush. As a result the total rainfall received during this rainfall season stands at 23 mm and the total for 2009 at 432 mm.
Field
Maintenance
The wetland outside Lion Sands River Lodge once again received some attention during the month as the outlet pipe of the wetland got blocked on numerous occasions because of reeds and leaves in the system. This resulted in water becoming stagnant, and thus deoxygenated, causing excellent conditions for the growth of algae and as a result the water turned bright green. These leaves and reeds were removed from the pipeline and the rocks at the inlet were repacked to create turbulence which oxygenated the water. This has alleviated the algae growth from the wetland as water is highly oxygenated and can once again move through the system.
Work was also undertaken on the electric fences around both Lion Sands River Lodge and Lion Sands Ivory Lodge as well as at 1933 Lodge. Small breaks caused by fallen trees were repaired and the grass and vegetation was slashed to prevent any short circuits from being formed.
Roads
Routine road maintenance was completed on sections of Warthog Wallow, Bustards and Wahlberg’s during October. Mitre drains were not opened on these roads due to only one tractor running. Instead we concentrated on gravel patching damaged areas. Several sections of the road were also lifted as the road had become angled and uneven.
Routine maintenance involves the opening of mitre drains and the repairing of their associated humps, as well as the filling of potholes and the removal of obstructions such as rocks. This is very important as it facilitates the removal of water from the roads surface.
Vegetation and Water
The long awaited rains have finally arrived with a total of 23 mm received during the month of October. This has done wonders for the vegetation and animal species alike. The dry, barren landscape described in September’s Ecological Report has been transformed into an oasis of ever increasing green grass and plenty of natural pans scattered throughout the landscape. Almost all of the tree species have now begun showing signs of growth and it is only a matter of time before they once again possess a lush green canopy.
As a result of the rains received during the month all of the four major waterholes contain large amounts of water. This is essential as all of the animals in the Reserve depend on water for their survival, either by being directly dependent on the water or being dependent on the animals attracted to the water.
Animals
Birds
A rare sighting of a Narina Trogon (Apaloderma Narina) was the highlight of this month’s bird activities on Lion Sands. Other not so common species seen this month were a pair of Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus Leadbeateri), Saddle-billed Stork (Ephippiorhynchus Senegalensis) and Wolly-necked Stork (Ciconia Episcopus). A Scops Owl (Otus Scopsi) was seen feeding on a large locust it had caught.
Large raptors that were seen this month included Wahlberg’s eagles (Aquila Wahlbergi), Tawny eagles (Aquila Rapax) and Bateleur (Terathopius Ecaudatus).
Reptiles
With the warmer spells and temperatures experienced at Lion Sands over the past month, reptile activity is on the increase. As conditions warm up more species should become active and hopefully our reptile sightings will increase. Reptile sightings during the month include:
Black mamba (Dendroaspis Polylepis)
Olive Whip Snake (Psammophis Mossambicus)
Southern Africa Python (Python Natalensis)
Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone Pardalis)
Flap-neck Chameleon (Chamaeleo Dilepis)
Giant plated Lizards (Gerrhosaurus Validus)
Special Sightings
Leopard on and Impala kill
Everyday at Lion Sands is different and each game drive is special as you are never sure of exactly what you could witness. This was once again the case late last week when we set out on a late afternoon game drive …
The drive was going well, white rhino, elephant and buffalo had already been seen, but none of the elusive cats. Several different leopard tracks had been located but none of them could be found until Lion Sands FIELD Ranger, Diederik Fourie, called in fresh tracks of a young male leopard in the east of the Reserve. After following the trail, he and his tracker Kruger Mhlaba, located drag marks. The leopard must have made a kill earlier and decided that he would take his quarry to a safer location. They followed for another 100 m when they located him. It was our Bushlodge male leopard, the son of Warthog Wallow female, with an impala kill in the branches of a large marula tree.
We all sat in awe as we watched him enjoying his meal. Suddenly something caught his attention; his eyes were fixed in that direction and so were ours. There was a rustle in the vegetation, then silence, but something was bothering the leopard. Suddenly out of the bush appeared a lone hyena, he must have been attracted by the smell of the carcass. This was too much for the leopard which could not stand the irritation and immediately climbed down the tree to see off the pesky hyena before returning to the branches to enjoy the rest of his meal.
Mammals
Leopard
Leopard activity has been on the increase during the month and we have had several incredible sightings of these magnificent cats. We still locate the two females with their cubs which are looking healthy and are full of energy. We have also located tracks of another male Leopard in the West of the Reserve, he is very elusive and we are still to get a glimpse of him. We will keep you posted with the progress of the leopard cubs and the new male.
African Elephant
Elephant sightings have been incredible during the past month on Lion Sands with everything being seen from large bulls to the tiniest of calves. Large breeding herds are often seen in the vicinity of the Sabie River providing excellent opportunities for our guests to view these magnificent creatures.
Other Interesting Sightings
09/10/2009 Two Honey Badgers were seen in the east of the Reserve digging up grubs in an old White Rhino midden.
15/10/2009 Four Ground Hornbills were seen in the East of the Reserve searching for prey, possibly to feed a nestling.
21/10/2009 Two Leopards were seen mating in the northern sector of the Reserve. Hopefully this was successful and results in additions to the Leopard population.
28/10/2009 One Impala lamb was seen in the West of the Reserve. This was the first lamb for the season. In addition, Woodlands Kingfishers were also seen in the East of the Reserve.
31/10/2009 Six wild dogs were seen in the West of the Reserve.
Edwin Pierce
Ecologist – Lion Sands Private Game Reserve
