January sightings, wildlife monitoring and interesting research projects.`
Sightings of the month
Thank you to all who recorded their sightings in the book this month!
There were 111 recorded sightings in the sightings book, despite the heavy rain. Here is the number of recorded sightings of a few highlight species during the month:
Highlights:
- Lion sightings were the most reported species in the sightings book. Following this, leopards and Southern Ground Hornbill sightings were the next most frequent!
- There was a sighting of the male white lion, known as “Xakubasa”, early in the month on Op Goedehoop and the main tar road. He is now roughly seven and a half years old, and in his prime. He was seen in the area with his brother, a tawny male. From regional sightings, they are believed to still be in the area.
- Following the recent return of Xakubasa and his brother, the lioness with three young cubs, last seen on Op Goedehoop, was once again seen moving her cubs away from the river and these two male lions, who are likely not related to the cubs.
- Two bushpigs were seen together on the eastern boundary of Op Goedehoop prior to the onset of the heavy rains, and eleven hippos are residing in Sibon Dam following the rains.
- The Southern Ground Hornbill family believed to be nesting in camp were seen bringing food items into camp regularly but were also witnessed mating in a tree. Updates on whether a nesting site is found will be given in due course.
- With the heavy flooding experienced, multiple fish species were observed during the month. Highlights included three Tiger Fish seen at the main causeway, multiple sizeable catfish, and various species of bream and carp. Regular sightings of fish attempting to swim upstream, through the culverts or over the top of the Sekgobela causeway, are still ongoing.
- Birding highlights included multiple sightings of Martial Eagles, a sighting of a Black Stork fishing in camp, and two sightings of Temminck’s Coursers.
- Mammalian species recorded: Leopard, Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Wild Dog, Spotted Hyena, Side-striped Jackal, African Wild Cat, Southern Bushpig, Impala, Kudu, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Zebra, Waterbuck, Warthog, Hippo, Nyala, Bushbuck, Klipspringer, Sharpe’s Grysbok, Duiker, Steenbok, Warthog, Chacma Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Scrub Hare, Tree Squirrel and Dwarf Mongoose.
- Reptilian species recorded: Water Monitor, Black Mamba, Mozambique Spitting Cobra, Nile Crocodile, Flap-necked Chameleon, Leopard Tortoise, Marsh Terrapin, Rainbow Skink and Serrated Hinged Terrapin.
- For the full list of bird species recorded during the month, please click here.
A rare reptile encounter
During the month, while walking and assessing flood damage, an unusual reptile was spotted in Sibon camp: a tiny, fast-moving lizard with bright yellow spots!
This little creature did not stick around for close-ups but gave a quick glimpse of its spectacular colouration and speed as it made a high-speed getaway into the nearby shrubbery.
It is not every day such an unusual reptile is seen, and glimpses such as this provide a wonderful reminder of how diverse and incredible nature can be.
As a fun challenge, can you identify this lizard, and have you ever seen one like this before at Ingwelala?
The total size of this lizard was roughly 6-7cm at most, and with such bright colouration and a long, slender tail, it is quite distinctive from other reptile species found here. It has quite an interesting gait as well, running with its back heavily arched.
Answer:
This is a juvenile Bushveld Lizard (Heliobolus lugubris), also known as the Black and Yellow Sand Lizard. The juvenile has aposematic colouration, mimicking a chemically defensive, foul-tasting ground beetle! This colouration is lost over time, becoming the familiar sandy brown colour as an adult.
Words by Tess Woollgar, images courtesy of Raymond Bezuidenhout, Tess Woollgar and as notated on individual photos.