Rainfall and Temperatures

Temperatures

Temperatures are starting to increase with the arrival of spring and with that, an increase day and night time temperatures. The average maximum temperature for this month was 28°C / 82.4°F and the average minimum temperature 14°C / 57.2°F. Temperatures are expected to increase as we enter the summer period and should begin during October and November. The highest temperature recorded for September was 39°C / 102.2°F and the lowest was 7°C / 44.6°F.

Rainfall

Lion Sands did receive a small amount of rainfall during the month, but this has done little for the vegetations and animals, with a total of only 3 mm received during the month of September. September is never a high rainfall month according to previous year’s data, with the season’s rains usually arriving during the month of October.
11/10/2008 1 mm
26/10/2008 1 mm
28/10/2008 1 mm

Field

Maintenance

Most of the maintenance work done during the month was supplying the smaller pans in the Reserve with water. This was done due to the lack of rainfall received during the month and many of the natural pans had begun drying up. With the supply of water there are bound to be small problems which occur, usually in the form of leaking pipes caused elephants pulling the pipes out of the ground to get to the fresh water inside. Once all these leaks were located they were repaired and the pipes once again placed underground.

Work was also undertaken on the electric fences around River and Ivory Lodge as well as 1933. Small breaks caused by fallen trees were repaired and the grass and vegetation was slashed to prevent and short circuits from being formed.

Roads

Due to the lack of rainfall during the month, only a small amount of road maintenance was undertaken by the habitat squad. Most of the work was concentrated in the West of the Reserve, with routine maintenance taking place on Puza Manzi and Kingsway. Mitre drains were opened and their associated humps were repaired to insure that water is effectively removed from the roads surface, preventing damage in to the road over time.

During October the following roads will undergo maintenance: Piva, Euphorbia, Leadwood West, Nyamazane and Bonsela.

Vegetation and Water

The vegetation is looking extremely dry, especially the grass and shrub layer. Only some of the tree species have started to produce leaves, a welcome sight in the dry, barren landscape. October sound bring the first signs of this seasons rains and it will only be a matter of time before everything is lush and green.

As a result of the lack of rains received during the month, several of the smaller waterholes had to be supplied with water. This is essential as all of the animals in the Reserve depend on water for there survival, directly or indirectly.

Animals

Birds

Bird activity has been relatively high during September, with the occasional sighting of the migrant birds that are usually seen here this time of year. Woodland kingfishers have been heard calling in the East of the Reserve, towards the end of the month, and more should be migrating into the area soon. Less common sightings of birds included that of Trumpeter Hornbills, Saddlebilled storks and a White-headed Vulture. Shelley’s Francolin and Marabou storks have also been sighted during the month.

A photograph of a Woodland kingfisher.

Reptiles

September has been full of excitement when it comes to reptile sightings, this is probably do to the increase in temperatures and the lack of rainfall experienced in the Reserve during the past months. On these warmer days we have been really fortunate to sight the following species:

• Puff adder (Bitis arietans)
• Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone pardalis)
• Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
• African Rock Python (Python sebae)
• Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

Mammals

Buffalo 

Buffalo sightings have been on the increase during this month, with several sightings of both bachelor herds are well as large breeding herds recorded during the month. Most of the sightings have been of bachelor herds, otherwise known as “Dagga Boys”. Males leave the breeding herds to build up strength by feeding on higher quality grasses, which would otherwise be unavailable in a large breeding herd and form bachelor herds. Once they have improved their condition they return to the breeding herds where they can challenge other males for the opportunity to male with receptive females.

 

Elephant

Elephant sightings have been incredible during the past month of Lion Sands, with everything been 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 to view these magnificent creatures.

A photograph of a lone elephant bull in the Sabie River just outside River Lodge

Big Five Sightings

Table 2.0 Table indicating the percentage of Big 5 sightings in the month of September on game drives on Lion Sands Private Game Reserve.

	Lion	Leopard	Buffalo	Elephant	Rhino
Percentage	83%	63%	97%	100%	87%

Edwin Pierce

Ecologist
Lion Sands Private Game Reserve