19
October 2009
Sightings
SEPTEMBER
2009 SIGHTING REPORT
Other
sightings
Kwara
& Little Kwara
The seven
Kwara Lions have been sighted regularly this month all around the
concession. At times they break off into threes and fours and patrol
different parts of their territory. There preferred diet varies between
Tsesebe, Zebra,
Buffalo
and Wildebeest
but they are yet to tackle Elephants as some larger prides have done
elsewhere in
Botswana
.
Another excellent month for Leopards and Cheetahs. A family of Cheetahs
with four cubs have been spotted several times recently. The cubs are
slowly learning the art of the hunt with mixed success. Two Leopards
managed to kill a large male Lechwe close to Charles’ crossing and were
eagerly photographed by guests over the following two days.
A pack of five Wild Dogs are occasionally seen near the eastern side of
the area and there are plenty of Elephant bulls in and around the camp
to keep guests and staff entertained.
For bird lovers –a Long Crested Eagle is often seen on the Maunichira
channel bordering Moremi Game Reserve. Elsewhere, Fish Eagles, Saddle
Billed Storks and the return of the migratory Carmine Bee-Eaters has
added considerable colour to game drives at Kwara.
Tau
Pan:
Late
September has brought us some surprising days of rainfall in the
Kalahari. We would usually not expect the rains to start until November
but some showers have provided welcome relief to the thirsty animals
around Tau.
Our resident Leopard has been seen and heard around the camp on several
occasions along with a mating pair of Lions that frequent the Tau water
hole. Additionally, we have been having consistent sightings of Brown
Hyena in the early mornings lapping up the fresh water in front of
camp.
On the Pan itself Cheetahs are still seen from time to time sitting
atop of mounds looking for plains game such as Springbok and young
Gemsbok or Red Hartebeest that can be seen in the Kalahari.
Nxai
Pan:
The
unexpected rain brought a sprinkling of green to the parched pans
towards the end of this month and guests witnessed the joy at which the
desert game greets such good fortune. Elephants, Hyenas and Lions were
all seen playing and wallowing in the bulging Nxai Pan water hole.
We also had our first sighting of the rare Pangolin since opening Nxai
Camp earlier this year – it was thought by guides to have been
persuaded to come out of hiding by the early rains which will activate
the ants and termites the Pangolin feeds on.
There is a pride of Lions living on the main Nxai Pan that most people
have had the fortune to see. Four cubs are with the family which spans
three generations.
The two Cheetah brothers are also a common sighting in the area and
never give up in harassing the Impala and Springbok populations. One
such hunt ended in them taking a Springbok each. The first was swiftly
eaten before a clan of Spotted Hyenas, using their usual uncanny
ability to sniff out a free meal, chased the brothers away and devoured
the second.
Lebala:
Lebala has
once again been witness to some world-class game viewing this
September. All the big cats have been seen on numerous occasions
including a now resident male Leopard which is often spotted at night
with the spotlight. The Wild Dog puppies have began to hunt and
enormous herds of thousands of
Buffalo
and Elephant are commonly seen passing to and from the floodplains to
feed.
As if that wasn’t enough the migrant birds have returned from central
and northern
Africa
to brighten up
the place with there breeding plumages. The place is buzzing with life
and expectation of the incoming rains.
Lagoon:
Lagoon
camp is teeming with Elephant and
Buffalo
herds, which have been attracted by the permanent waters of the
Kwando
River. One only has to take a
drive from the airstrip to the camp to appreciate the density of game
in the area at the moment.
For those who have been following the progress of this years Wild Dog
puppies there was an exciting spectacle towards the end of the month.
The puppies were involved in their first hunt and kill thus completed
their transition to full pack members. The pack will now spend the
summer hunting far and wide through the
Kwando
region before the cycle of denning comes round again in May.
Otherwise, a Leopard cub was seen drinking with its mother by Zebra pan
and the three brother Cheetah are a regular sighting in the area
stalking unfortunate Impala or panting under the shade of a Kalahari
Apple Leaf.
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