November is the last month of spring and we are gradually witnessing the passing of the baton between the acquainted seasons. We have received extremely hot days giving us time to acclimatize for the much warmer temperatures that are expected over the next few months. We have not received the volumes of rains that were anticipated for this month however the trickles we did get have contributed to the lining of the thirsty clay pans and riverbeds. Although the N’wanetsi is not flowing there is a visible rise of the water levels at some points across the river’s course. Trees have stripped themselves of their flowers, that have served their purpose of reproduction by facilitating pollination. The purple cluster pods which were, just last month, covered in pale yellow flowers and drenched in perfume, are now showing little to no signs of their floral dresses. Most trees have now changed wardrobe to their lush green leaves, painting the bush in hundreds of different shades of green. In some areas the lush green grasses that sprouted prematurely as a result of the great rains we received last month have begun to slowly brown as the consistency of rain has not been there. Many shrubs are fruiting, such as the tiny berries from the white berry bush and the orange fruits of the sour plum, which are being enjoyed by antelopes and primates alike.
We have seen a greater number of tortoises, strolling leisurely on the concession, which have been relatively less active during the previous months, and as we have been wandering around pans to see which mammals or birds have come to drink we have spotted a number of frogs, some as tiny as a fingernail and some big enough to fit in your palm.
The first impala lamb was sighted on our concession on the 10th of November, with many more female impalas still carrying their lambs. There are also a number of other young animals that have taken their first steps on the green carpeted grounds. November and subsequent months are proving to be the time of plenty.
Here’s a Sightings Snapshot for November:
Lions
With a dedicated tracking team made up of trackers and some guides who leave the staff village every morning to gain a greater understanding as to what the animal movements are on our concession, we have subsequently had numerous lion sightings, some of which are as follows.
Leopards
Cheetah
This time of the year usually doesn’t yield too many sightings of cheetah, due to the thicker overgrowth and longer grasses, which is not the ideal habitat for these cats. However, we have still been lucky enough to observe cheetahs on our concession.
Spotted hyenas
Hyena numbers remain strong on the concession, although their physical presence is often missed, because they tend to use the shadow of the night to move, leaving many tracks and signs as evidence of their presence. On occasion, we have managed to catch them at dusk and dawn wandering about.
Elephants
We have had an innumerable number of elephants in the concession, varying in size and composition. These giants have been typically aggregating at our nearest water sources, like along the N’wanetsi, Gudzane Dam and a few other pans, but have not limited their presence to these areas. Almost every single game drive we do or even just travelling to and from work we have been guaranteed elephant sightings, in the most part.
Buffalo
Black seas of buffalo have been sighted all across the property.
Plains game
Plains game are in tip-top condition, with their glistening coats indicating the presence of good water and lush vegetation. This is indeed the time of plenty for these four-legged creatures.
Rare animals and other sightings
Birds
The vast majority of migrants are back to spend their summer with us, and their cheerful songs fill the air. Some of the migrant bird species that have returned include barn swallows, yellow-billed kites, lesser-spotted eagles, common buzzards, various cuckoos (including common, African, red-chested, black, Le Vaillant’s, Jacobin and Diederik cuckoos), woodland kingfishers, grey-hooded kingfishers, European bee-eaters, broad-billed rollers, European rollers, red-backed shrikes and violet-backed starlings, to name a few. Some of our resident birds have also brightened up their wardrobe in preparation for the breeding season to attract mates.
Read the full wildlife report here: Singita Kruger National Park Journal November 2020