Rainfall and Temperatures

Temperatures

The average maximum temperature for this month was 30°C and the average minimum temperature 20°C.  The average maximum temperature for March 2010 is slightly lower than March 2009, 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 March was 44°C and the lowest was 15°C.

Rainfall

March was not a high rainfall month, but the small showers received have kept the vegetation looking lush and green.  A total of 55 mm was received during the month, bringing the total rainfall received during 2010 to 148 mm. The total for this wet season (September 2009 to August 2010) has increased to 562.5 mm.

Field

Maintenance

The cleaning of Warthog Wallow pan was also undertaken towards the end of the month.  It took just less than 3 days to empty all the water from the pan using a generator.  Once the water level had dropped adequately we were able to catch most of the 30 000 fish which were present in the pan.  These were two species of fish, namely the banded tilapia (Tilapia sparrmanii) and the Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus).  Approximately 2 000 fish were placed in the water bowser for release back into the pan, while the other 26 000 were released back into the Sabie River where they originated from.  We experienced a mortality rate of about 2%; these fish were then fed upon by fish eagles (Haliaeetus vocifer), saddlebilled storks (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis), grey herons (Ardea cinerea) and wollynecked storks (Ciconia episcopus).

Most of the erosion work conducted during March was undertaken at 1933 and Mlechuaan Dip, where the Habitat Squad and I constructed several gabions.  These gabions were constructed in a large drainage line at 1933 to help stabilize the ground and to prevent the soil from being washed away during the remainder of the rainy season.  At Mlechuaan dip we constructed another gabion to prevent the road from being washed away when the Mlechuaan River flows during the rainy season.

Roads

Routine road maintenance was undertaken on Puza Manzi, Misi Loop, Nganga Drive, Tamboti, Euphorbia, Leadwood west, Varivati, Ivory Access and Bonsela during March.  Mitre drains were opened on these roads and several sections were gravel patched further.  Several sections of the road were also lifted as the road had become angled and uneven.  Once this process has been completed, the mitre drains in the west of the Reserve will be opened and repaired.

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.

Humps were placed on the eastern side of the Tsovahlahla River on Kay’s Road to help facilitate the removal of water from the roads surface into the newly constructed mitre drains.  The western section will be completed during early April.

Vegetation and Water

With all the rainfall received during the month, the vegetation is still lush and green. Most tree species have started producing their fruits and seeds, a welcome sight for all the browsers of the Reserve.  The herbaceous vegetation too has a good biomass and is providing ample grazing for all the grazers of Lion Sands.

The rainfall received during the month has helped maintain high level of water in the major waterholes on Lion Sands.  In addition to these, several smaller, natural pans have been formed throughout the Reserve, providing ample water to all the animals on Lion Sands.  Water is essential as all of the animals on the Reserve depend on water for their survival, either by being directly dependent on water for drinking and pest removal purposes or by being dependent on the animals attracted to the water for their survival.

Animals

Birds

Bird activity has been one again been relatively high during the month.  Many of the migratory birds have already begun leaving Lion Sands before the approaching winter sets in.  We are still fortunate enough to encounter the occasional migrant which includes Eurasian bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) and woodland kingfishers (Halcyon senegalensis).  We were also fortunate enough to see several fish eagles (Haliaeetus vocifer), saddlebilled storks (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis), grey herons (Ardea cinerea) and wollynecked storks (Ciconia episcopus) feeding on dead fish at Warthog Wallow pan.

Reptiles

March has been a quiet month when it comes to reptile sightings, and this is most likely due to the approaching winter and the cold spells experienced in Lion Sands during the past month.  Reptiles are cold blooded and rely on the external environment to regulate their body temperature.  On the warmer days, when reptiles are more active, we have been really fortunate to sight the following species:

-               Puff adder (Bitis arietans)
-               Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone pardalis)
-               Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
-               Flap-necked Chameleon (Chamaeleo dilepis)

Special Sighting

A strictly nocturnal hunter

We once again had some incredible sightings during the past week here at Lion Sands Private Game Reserve.  These included Outcrop female and her two cubs, the Southern Pride relaxing, and a quick glimpse of four ground hornbills.  However, the sighting of the week goes to a very close encounter with one of Lion Sands smaller residence - a white-tailed mongoose (Icheumia albicauda).

During the late afternoon game drive the Rangers decided to stop at Large Tamboti for a combined drinks stop with their Guests.  Everyone was enjoying their drinks, talking amongst themselves about the sightings and activities during the day, when they heard some movement in the nearby vegetation.  Naturally, everyone became more vigilant, not knowing what could be out there in the darkness.  The spotlight quickly went on and we identified the source of all the commotion, a white-tailed mongoose on the hunt for insects and grubs.

He was extremely relaxed and totally ignored the staring crowed as he searched for a meal, coming within a couple of meters of the excited onlookers.  This was an amazing safari sighting of one of the smaller, rarer Lion Sands residence …

Mammals

Lion

The Charleston Lion pride has been a regular sighting in the Lion Sands during the last few months and they have been seen throughout the Reserve, but usually in the eastern section of the property.  They are mostly inactive during the day, but during the night the bush awakens and they become very active.  In February’s report we brought you news that Lion Sands had its newest arrivals when one of the lionesses gave birth to a lone cubs, well, we have more new arrivals, another lioness has also given birth to two cubs.

Leopard

Leopard activity has been high during the month and we have had several sightings of these magnificent creatures.  We still locate the two females with cubs every now and then; both cubs are looking healthy and are full of energy.  We have also located tracks of another male Leopard in the Reserve, he is very elusive and we as still to get a glimpse of him.  We will keep you posted with the progress of the leopard cubs and the new male.

Predation by Leopards has been high during this month, with six leopard kills being located.  Prey items included four Impala and two bushbuck.

Edwin Pierce
Ecologist – Lion Sands Private Game Reserve