MJEJANE RANGER’S REPORT                              FEBRUARY & MARCH 2011

 

 

The start of 2011 has brought on some major Rains but along with that we have had some excessively hot days with temperatures soaring in the high 30’s. Major showers have subsided to short drizzles and the tree’s are starting to lose their leaves, although the grass stands tall, still hiding a lot of the wildlife.

The birds are losing their breeding plumage and babies are almost ready to fly off into the unknown, exploring their new world.

Sightings

The large Lion pride disappeared for almost 3 weeks and their tracks indicated that they had headed off along the fence line towards the East of the Reserve. The two males returned first and have now regularly been seen around Buffalo Dam area. The pride with the two cubs, have also recently returned and the cubs have grown somewhat larger in the short time that they were away.  Clearly they have been well fed and looked after by the pride.

The Buffalo herd seems to have split into two smaller herds with the one herd occupying the area around Hippo Dam and clearly bothering the Hippo’s. The other herd seem to enjoy both Mjejane & Buffalo Dam areas with the three lonely Dagga Boys spending their days between Mjejane Dam and Marula Road.

Once again we have an Elephant Bull (Sanxelle) in must and he is extremely aggressive, especially with unfamiliar vehicles, so do beware. Mazinyo has returned to the area and is enjoying spending his time around the river and new road.

The breeding herd have managed to turn Crocodile Dam into a mud pool as most of the surface water has now gone, but they are making the most of the mud baths. The daily Spa treatments seem to be relaxing the herd more as they have become more relaxed in the presence of game viewers. The calves are also growing daily and have also become accustomed to having the game viewers nearby.

 

The two White Rhino bulls have been at each other quite regularly trying to impress the cow that seems to be enjoying the entertainment. They tend to spend their time around Buffalo Dam.

The cow with the young calf seems to enjoy Hippo Dam and the youngster is growing rapidly and is almost at hip height of an adult. His primary horn is already prominent with his secondary horn not quite ready to show itself.

The youngsters of the blue wildebeest, impala ad zebra have all grown significantly and are almost at shoulder height of their parents.

Sightings of the Lilac Breasted Roller have reduced but the arrival of the duller European Roller still offers great bird sightings.

There is a Crowned Eagle spending his days along the river road and a juvenile Fish Eagle has already started to show his adult plumage. The Marabu Stork, Cape Vulture, White Backed Vulture, Hooded Vulture and Saddle Billed Stork have all been spotted quite regularly.

We were lucky enough to enjoy a visit by two male cheetah’s who were seen catching a young Blue Wildebeest close to the river. Unfortunately with the return of the lions, they have now moved on.

Life on Mjejane moves forward as we can feel the change in season taking place with cooler evenings and less humidity.

 

Until next time

Chris  &  Jacques

 

QUOTE:   We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.

 

Aldo Leopold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MJEJANE RANGER’S REPORT

JANUARY 2011 

Happy New Year!

2011 has arrived full of promise. With each progressing year we find ourselves growing more confident, wise and experienced and that is the gift of the New Year. May 2011 be a year that holds many promises.

Rainfall over the passed month has been high and the Crocodile River is flowing in full force almost bursting her banks while she carves her way through the land. The bush has once again become alive with cicadas, frogs and crickets making music until late in the evening, only being disturbed by the odd call of a Lion. The reserve is lush and green making sightings more difficult as the animals have so many opportunities to hide.

Sightings

The Lion pride has still been hanging around the river and the area close to the Lodge. One of the males seems to have left the pride while the other male along with the two young males have stayed on. The three young cubs are looking fit and healthy and watching them play around in the veldt is always entertaining although the adults may get frustrated at times. Cubs will be cubs!

Buffalo Dam seems to be a fit name for it as the buffalo seem to always be abundant around this area and around Lake Mjejane. The Dagga boys seem to enjoy spending their time mainly around Lake Mjejane, perhaps a bachelor’s pad or retirement village in the making.

Spoko, the Black Rhino was seen on Quarry road a while ago. She and her calf approached the Game Viewer and seemed very comfortable in getting quite close to the vehicle. If the vehicle is switched off they seem quite comfortable with us in their space although still jumpy at any sudden movement or noise.

  

The solitary Bull Elephant is currently in must and has often been seen following the breeding herd, obviously in search of an opportunity to extend his gene family. The breeding herd themselves are getting a lot more aggressive of late, especially when on any of the roads. They seem to relax a little more when deep in the bush and away from the hustle and bustle.

The ever elusive Leopard was spotted twice along River Road and she was seen courting an eager male. Perhaps 2011 will see some Leopard cubs being raised on Mjejane, perhaps one of the New Year promises to keep in mind.

An entertaining mud bath was witnessed when three White Rhino were found enjoying their day at the Spa. The cow and her calf tend to spend most of their time around the River.

Blue Wildebeest and Impala young are abundant and all the young ones seem to be fit and healthy. Being born in a time when water & food are abundant does help.

The bird life has been exceptional as per usual, with all the migratory birds returning to the area. The raptors have also been abundant with almost daily sightings of the Africa Fish Eagle, African Short Tailed Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Booted Eagle and the Osprey.

2010 was a great year filled with exciting viewings and changes. Here is to a new year and the promise of plenty great adventures ahead.

 

Until next time

Chris  &  Jacques

QUOTE:   Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.                          Stewart Udall

 

MJEJANE RANGER’S REPORT

NOVEMBER 2010

THE RAINS HAVE COME! Some much needed relief has finally arrived and rain filled clouds have opened up and released their precious cargo onto the arid earth below. Brown Bush has almost instantly turned in lush green shades of dense tress, grass and blooming plant life. A whole new landscape has appeared over a previously dusty brown, thirsty earth. The Marula trees are starting to produce their delicious fruit and the Sausage trees are bending under the strain of their huge fruit making them stand out between the other big trees. The Crocodile River has swiftly risen whilst swallowing sandbanks on her journey to the sea. A new Season has finally begun bringing with it all the amazing changes that Summer and her rainfall has to offer.

Sightings

Mjejane has been blessed with the arrival of another bachelor herd of dagga bulls consisting of four individuals. This brings the total to seven senior citizen bulls excluding the ones in the breeding herd. The small herd of three have been spending most of their time in the area of Lake Mjejane while the new Bachelors seem to be enjoying the riverfront. The breeding herd is ever increasing and looks like they will be reaching the 200 mark anytime soon. The cow with the blind eye has managed to keep up with the rest of the herd wherever they go and they seem to be covering large areas on a daily basis. The calves in the herd seem to be in very good condition and are slowly growing accustomed to the Game Viewers passing closely by.

The Elephant cows in the breeding herd have become a little more aggressive as their calves are at that age where they explore everything, including open the vehicles. They soon seem to relax when they realise that we are willing to keep our distance and not intrude. The bulls have also provided some brilliant experiences with one of them having recently approached close enough to touch the vehicle. We were lucky that a small Knob Thorn proved to be of more interest and perhaps nutrition thus distracting him. In general the elephants have been very scarce but we do expect them to return as Mjejane has a large number of Mountain Aloes which is one of their favourite snacks.

The return of the Black Rhino. Spoko was spotted on the edge of black rhino road and she was not alone. While standing in clear sight she was joined by a calf of approximately 5 months old. She seems to have been hiding her calf on the occasions when she was briefly spotted. Exciting times lay ahead as we will be privileged to experience its growth into adulthood and eventually establish territory on Mjejane. The White Rhino’s have been abundant again in the last month, popping up almost everywhere from the river to the Southern fence ensuring superb viewing opportunities for guests.  

In a Marula tree, just eighty meters from the road hid one of our most beautiful creatures, the Leopard. Even the impalas had to stop for a second to bask in her beauty and grace. She entertained us with a wonderful sighting for but a few seconds before she ever so gracefully leaped from the tree and disappeared in the tall grass behind the Marula.

The male Lions were often spotted crossing the river to patrol their territorial borders. They have constantly terrorised the buffalo herd and have recently brought down a few buffalo cows and blue wildebeest. The cubs seem to be growing very fast and will most probably be joining the pride on hunts soon, receiving their basic education from the seniors. Although the cubs are last in line to feed, they seem to be getting ample food and typical Lion behaviour is beginning to show in the form of “being lazy”.  

It has been confirmed that the Wild Dogs have moved off the concession allowing the Impala to breathe a sigh of relief. Warthog sightings have increased dramatically and they have added entertainment to Game Drives as they run around the vehicle displaying the attitude of a creature many times larger. Caution is required when driving around the water sources as the green scrub seems to hide duiker and steenbok that can dart out in front of the vehicle at any given time, ensuring that everyone on the vehicle is constantly on guard.  Never a dull moment on a Game Drive.

Until next time

Chris  &  Jacques

QUOTE:   There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.            Linda Hogan

 

 

 

MJEJANE RANGER’S REPORT

OCTOBER 2010

 

The passed month has had the mercury all over the scales recording some very cold mornings, blistering hot days with cold rainy evenings ending off very unusual weather patterns for the area. Strong winds delivered and then suddenly removed promising rain clouds. We all knew the rain would come and eventually our first promise of a decent rainfall occurred mid month finally soothing the dry arid earth. After checking the rain meters we realised the clouds were sneezing instead of showering, but after any long dry season, 2mm is more than welcome. The vegetation will soon be turning green and the lush bush of last summer will return, giving opportunity for Game to hide easily.

A runaway fire managed to find its way onto the Reserve and Rangers did everything they could to curb the destructive flames and minimise the damage. We were fortunate that the blocks that did burn were area’s where planned fire breaks were due to be done.

Sightings

The buffalo were scarce at the beginning of the month but they eventually decided to venture out and allowed us to get quite close while out on drives. There were even times when they blocked our path and stubbornly stayed no matter how close we got. With us being able to get that close it allowed us to notice specifics within the herd like a Buffalo Cow with a blind eye but no scars around the eye. There were also three Cows with broken horns, perhaps lost while defending their calves. The bulls have been rubbing their horns against the trees which signals the start of rutting season. Three old bulls seem to have started their own bachelor herd, probably not able to keep up with the main herd. They are often seen close to the ever lurking lion pride, luckily for them there have been no casualties as yet.

 

The Elephant breeding herd was seen along the river most of the time. They were spotted on two separate occasions enjoying a swim in Lake Mjejane. It seemed to be a real family outing as the big bull dunked the cows and they in turn dunked him as well, or tried at least. The older bulls are still walking around on the concession and training the younger bull who still tries to show off by getting aggressive with game drive vehicles. It also seems that the older male bulls are forming temporary association herds as they are often seen together or in close proximity of each other.

We have decided to call the black rhino on the property Spoko as he is almost impossible to spot. It seems his name is apt because he was seen a few days later after his naming on Marula road just before the fires swept through his territory.

If a white rhino is what the guests’ request, Black Rhino road is the one to drive. It seems they have decided that they prefer the dense covering that the scrub on that road provides, and the huge open plains that occur close to the east of the road. The cow and calf are still together and are frequently joined by the big bull. The other bull that holds the rights to the river is still patrolling his territory regularly.

Just as Spoko shows himself, the leopard decides to hide away again. No sightings of this beautiful yet shy animal have occurred this month.

While the two big males Lions are busy patrolling their borders, the three new cubs have stayed under the watchful eye of the three females and their two older brothers. In the last month we confirmed that the three cubs were born to form part of the big pride making them a healthy 10 strong. The other pride has not been seen for some time and we can only assume they have been forced to leave the concession by the other pride males who seem to be growing stronger by the day. On another note, the two teenage males are growing up fast and their days as part of the pride seem to be counting down. We just hope that this does not happen too soon as they are beautiful animals and provide very good sightings when the females move away into thicker scrub or tall grass. The pride has had many successful hunts this month including buffalo and blue wildebeest and at one stage brought down two buffalo calves on the same hunt.

A pack of five wild dogs decided to cross the river and take up temporary residence on our concession. On their second day they spent the whole day lazing on the old airstrip just to the south-west of the lodge. On the game drive that afternoon they started moving towards the river and on the way there had a go at a scrub hare. Unfortunately for them the hunt was not successful. The one female looked like she was pregnant as she was much rounder than the others. This sighting was a major event for everyone on the reserve as wild dog are known to travel very long distances in very short periods.

Black-backed jackal, Large-spotted genet and Banded mongoose have been scarce over the last month. Spotted hyena tried to cross the river, but one of the smaller ones who swam first was attacked by a crocodile and the rest ran back onto the mainland. Warthog have been seen more regularly and do not run a mile before a good picture can be taken anymore. Perhaps they are learning to enjoy their newfound fame.

Once again the raptors such as the African short-tailed eagle, African Fish eagle, Brown snake eagle and the Tawny eagle have been plentiful. The Martial eagle and Walberg’s’ eagle have also shown themselves. The Giant Kingfisher has also been spotted around the river joined by the Pied and the Brown-hooded Kingfisher. The Lilac Breasted Roller is always magnificent and makes up for the absence of the European Roller that is not yet back in the area. A Goliath Heron has made her nest just to the north west of the lodge in the river and the young one is often visible on game drives along the river.

Until next time

Chris  &  Jacques

 

QUOTE :  What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly.   Richard Bach