Rainfall and Temperatures

Temperatures

The average maximum temperature for this month was 30°C and the average minimum temperature 8°C.  The average maximum temperature for August 2010 is a few degrees higher than August 2009, but falls within the range of temperatures that have been experienced during the previous few years which gives the indication that temperatures are not increasing rapidly.  The highest temperature recorded for August was 42°C and the lowest was 4°C.

Rainfall

As expected during the winter months there has been no major rainfall experienced during August, with only a total of 2 mm recorded during the month.  This brings the total rainfall received during 2010 to 281.5 mm. The total for this wet season (September 2009 to August 2010) has increased to 844 mm.

Field

Maintenance

Maintenance work has been undertaken throughout the Reserve, with odd jobs being completed in many sectors.  Major renovations were undertaken on the wetland system outside River Lodge.  Here the Habitat Squad and I repaired all the leaks and linked the wetlands with a trench system.  This will ensure that there is always a flow of water from one wetland to another and by not using a pipeline system we will prevent blockages restricting water flow.  The gravel traps were also excavated and new gravel was placed in these.  This will allow the water to flow through the gravel and not over it, reducing the odour emitted by the wetland system.

Repairs to Leadwood pans pipeline was also completed towards the end of the month.  Elephants had identified the pipeline as a source of water and pulled it out from underground, making it an inviting target for the first hyena to pass by.  This was indeed the case and as a result a small 10 metre section of the pipeline needed to be replaced and placed underground to ensure that water was once again flowing to the pan.

Roads

Several sections of the road network underwent routine maintenance during the month.  These included Kingsway, Puza Manzi, Ndlopfu Way and a small section of Varivati and Xikankanka.  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 is facilitates the removal of water from the roads surface.

A small section of Kingsway through Hlaba Nkulu was also moved towards the end of the month.  As the road passed through the middle of the sodic site, it was starting to have a major impact on the area.  There were several signs of sheet erosion as a result of water flowing down the roads surface and across the sodic site a major cause for concern.  As a result I decided that an alternative route is established and the old road is rehabilitated.  The new route now runs to the east of the drainage line, from Hlaba Ncani to the Mlechuaan River.  The old road surface will be picked, seeded and brush-packed during the wet season.

Vegetation and Water

The Property is extremely dry as would be expected during this time of the year.  The small amount of rainfall experienced during the month didn’t do much else than allow the dust to settle, but this was still a welcomed sight.  Several tree species have now started producing fresh shoots, leaves and flowers signaling the arrival of spring.  These have transformed the landscape from dull and barren to colorful lush and incredible sight this time of year.

Water levels in the large waterholes within the Reserve remain high, due to low levels of evaporation as a result of overcast and cloudy days experienced during the month.  Thus water is readily available to support the wide variety of animals located in the area.  All of the small natural pans and mud pools have now completely dried up, forcing animals to move to the waterholes and Sabie River in search of valuable drinking water.  Warthog Wallow pan remains productive, especially during the heat of the day, while Leadwood pan continues to attract a wide variety of animal species in the west of the Property.

Animals

Birds

With all the hot spells during the past month, we have had less bird sightings than last month; however there were still several incredible bird sightings.  The Sabie River still remains relatively low and as a result we have had several sightings of African fish eagles (Haliaeetus vocifer) along the rivers course, scouting for fish in the shallow waters.  There have also been several sightings of a breeding pair of Martial Eagles (Polemaetus bellicosus) on a large nest in the West of the Reserve.

In addition, Saddlebilled storks (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis) and Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea) are becoming a common occurrence at Warthog Wallow pan as the water level has begun to subside due to the lack of rainfall associated with the dry season.  This creates a perfect habitat for these birds to catch prey items such as fish, frogs and small crustaceans.

Reptiles

With the warmer spells and temperatures experienced on Lion Sands over the past month, reptile activity is on the increase.  Most of reptile have now awoken from their hibernation and are on the move to locate prey after their winter slumber.  As conditions warm up, more species should become active and hopefully our reptile sightings should increase.  Reptile sightings during the month include:

- Mozambique spitting cobra (Naja mossambica)
- Tree agama (Acanthocerus atricollis)
- Twig snake (Thelotornis capensis)
- Water monitor (Varanus niloticus)
- Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
- Giant plated lizards (Gerrhosaurus validus)

Special Sighting

A visit from some endangered canines

Whilst on drive in the North-western corner of the property one of our Rangers came across the tracks of a small pack of African wild dogs.  Their tracks were fresh, clear to see in the loose sand after the small amount of morning rain.  The Rangers and Trackers immediately got to work, following up on these incredible animals.  It was not long before we found them, nestled amongst the grasses and shrubs, attempting to take cover from the rain that had once again started to fall.

Wild dogs are social, communally hunting carnivores, which live in small cohesive packs typically composed of a dominant breeding pair, a number of non-breeding adults, and their dependent offspring.  Within the wild dog pack all the males are related to each other, and all of the females to each other but not to the males.  Females migrate into the pack, whereas males usually stay with their natal pack.  Only the highest-ranking male and female normally breed, and they prevent reproduction by subordinate pack members.

It was incredible seeing these rare and endangered canines up close, photographs a constant reminder of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Mammals

Lion

Lion sightings have been good during most of the month.  There has been mortality in the Charleston Pride, unfortunately the youngest cub became separated from the rest of the Pride on a neighboring property and as a result was killed by a large male leopard.  It seems cruel, but unfortunately this is nature.  The leopard sees the lion cub as a threat to its survival; it will grow into an adult and compete for prey species and could even end up killing him and as a result it is easier to eliminate the problem now before the cub becomes and adult.

The Hilda’s Rock Pride is also seen regularly along the banks of the Sabie River.  The Pride usually consists of two adult females and six cubs approximately five months old, but has recently been joined by a large adult male.

Leopard

We have had some incredible sightings of Leopards during the month.  These included ten different kills by a variety of different leopard.  We brought you news last month that we expected that Warthog Wallow Female had cubs on the property.  This is indeed the case and she finally led us to two healthy, two month old cubs.  They are still a litter wary of the vehicles, but hopefully with time they become as relaxed as there mother.

Kingsway Female was also located in the west of the property earlier in the month, she similarly showed signs of lactating and to our amazement has one healthy, 2 month old cub. This little cub is extremely inquisitive, a handful for its protective mother.

Edwin Pierce
Ecologist – Lion Sands Private Game Reserve