Southern African Forum (1 Viewer)

[Sal]

Hi, Sal,
You'll probably find that all the British cormorants spend the night in Maldon's ponds. Walvis Bay's and Swakopmund's salt pans are also birding hot spots - think flamingos, cormorants and waders. I guess, since the whole process is structured round evaporation, it doesn't really matter.
Dave

Actually Dave, I think it matters more - all that concentrated uric acid . . . .

 

[Allan Hobbs]

Hey guys

What would be the best mammal fieldguide to bring out with me...?

Ads

Hi Ads,
I can't remember the name of my guide - it's in SA and I'm not (yet - only 17 days to go oo)

Quite honestly the easiest (and cheapest) guide to use is the Kruger Park map and guide which you can get from the park entry gate - it has illustrations of all the mammals (and quite a few birds and reptiles) you are likely to see, and you get a free road map of the park as well!

Allan

 

[birdboybowley]

Cool, will get that too Allan, thanks - contacted Jon at www.mammalwatching.com and he suggested the Smither's guide - so got that ordered and it'll be in the bag too!
Only 16 days to go too.....coming round fast!!

 

[Trevor Hardaker]

Hi Ads,

Have not really had time recently to pop in and read what has been happening on this forum, but just dropped in now to see what people have been up to and saw your request on the mammal guide.

I'm not sure just how keen you are on mammals, but let me just punt a Capetonian's perspective here quickly and say that there is more to South Africa's mammals than just the Kruger National Park. Whilst the Kruger might have lots of the big and easy to see mammals, many, if not most, of SA's endemic or near-endemic mammals probably don't even occur in the park. The mammals that you are most likely to encounter in the Kruger are common throughout most of Africa and you can see even more impressive numbers of those same mammals in East Africa (although they are still incredibly satisfying to watch when in Kruger!!).

If you are a little like me in that you are super-keen on mammals (I am just as crazy about mammals, reptiles and amphibians as I am about birds), then I would think you would not be doing terribly well on a 3 week trip in SA covering areas right from the Cape to the Kruger and only coming away with a list of 20-30 species. I would think that you should expect nothing less than 40 species and, with a bit of luck and some work on your side, you should be able to crack 50 species. This would not be unusual on a 3 week trip right across the country.

As to the guides, Smithers is probably the best but, as the name suggests, only covers the land mammals (here is the Capetonian in me coming out again!). The cetaceans are not covered and, of course, we have an absolutely stunning near-endemic here on the west coast in the form of Heaviside's Dolphin, surely one of the best mammals that this country has to offer! Given the fact that most of the coast around the Cape is currently thick with Southern Right Whales at the moment as well, best you brush up on how to id those too so that you can pick them out between the many Humpback and Bryde's Whales that are also around at the moment.

Haven't really gone far back enough in the forum to see your full itinerary, but saw that you mentioned Sani Pass somewhere. If you are going up there, keep a look out at the top for Slogget's Ice Rats too - they are fairly common up there and are one of the few endemic rodents that you have a very good chance of seeing.

Good luck and I hope you have a fantastic trip with lots of spectacular mammals!

Trevor

 

[birdboybowley]

Thanks Trevor - yeah, have definitely gotten into mammals in the past few years!! 40-50+ was a target I'd hope to get. Have got a cetacean guide here so will copy the relevant pages I need although apparently the edition of Smithers' I've ordered has entries for whales, dolphins and seals that can be seen along the coast....maybe a newer edition now? Heaviside's Dolphin looks cool!
The Ice Rat is a must-see for me too - more for the name than anything else!!!
As to the Kruger - am looking forward to it but have seen most of the bigger mammals but my girlf has never been to Africa so this was more for her than me...not to say I'm not gonna have a brilliant time as I'm sure I will!! Would love to catch up with Leopard and Cheetah - any tips, esp for the latter?? (seem to not have much luck with cats...5 bloody days inIndia and still missed Tiger!!) Oh well....just have to go back!
Only 2 weeks till touchdown in Cape Town - can't wait!!

Cheers again
Ads

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Terrorism in JHB

He may be small, but he is definitely fighting way above his weight. The Pin-Tailed Whydah is back in town, and although you can see by the length of the tail he is not in full breeding plumage, the hormones are definitely racing through his little body.
Watching him on Sunday afternoon he was arguing and scaring every other bird up to and as large as Cape Turtle Doves from the seed on the ground.
The Red Bishops are yet to change into breeding, but the Whydah is already pumped up.
Martin

 

[Trevor Hardaker]

Would love to catch up with Leopard and Cheetah - any tips, esp for the latter??

These two are never easy. If one had the budget to stay at one of the luxury game lodges that border Kruger, you would almost be guaranteed of Leopard as they have trackers out there looking for them who are in radio contact with the guides. But that will generally blow the budget of any holiday...

Obviously, time in the field is crucial. If you're not out there looking, you won't stand a chance of finding them. The best thing to do is constantly check the sightings books / boards in the camps and see where people have been reporting cats from. If there are consistent sightings over a few days from a particular area, then best to concentrate your efforts there. Cheetah can be extremely tough in the Kruger and there are other parks e.g. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, that are much better for them. But, as long as you are out there looking, you stand as good a chance as any to find them.

Equally, things like Serval are possible, but are very difficult and close to impossible to stake out. African Wild Cat (just another subspecies of the very widespread Wild Cat) is possible just about anywhere across the country where there is still some decent undisturbed habitat and are more likely to be seen at night. If you are going to the West Coast National Park just north of Cape Town, try getting a very early morning or very late afternoon there as this is quite possibly the best place in the country to see Caracal. They are regularly seen along the entrance road from the R27 heading towards Geelbek or Tsarsbank. The only other cat species available in SA, Black-footed Cat, is unlikely in the areas you are visiting and is best searched for in the Kimberley or Calvinia areas, although they are more widely distributed than that, but very thin on the ground outside of those areas.

Cheers
Trevor

 

[Sal]

Would love to catch up with Leopard and Cheetah - any tips, esp for the latter??
Only 2 weeks till touchdown in Cape Town - can't wait!!

Cheers again
Ads

Try the S28 and round onto the S137 and Duke waterhole for cheetah Ads. Very often see there. Keep an eye out for the old Tusker Duke, who has lost both tusks now and is fitted with a radio collar - also often in this area. Leopard often seen further up between Lower Sabie and Skukuza. Good luck, have a wonderful time and please come back here to report on your trip, we look forward to hearing what you saw!

 

[birdboybowley]

Thanks Trevor/Sal - will definitely be out there looking!!
Will also definitely let you all know how it goes for sure...goes without saying as you've all been most helpful!
One non-birdy q - what type of electric outlet plugs do you guys have out there, just so I know which adapters to buy!???

Cheers again
Ads

 

[Sal]

Thanks Trevor/Sal - will definitely be out there looking!!
Will also definitely let you all know how it goes for sure...goes without saying as you've all been most helpful!
One non-birdy q - what type of electric outlet plugs do you guys have out there, just so I know which adapters to buy!???

Cheers again
Ads

Erm . . .16Amp 250 volt round 3-pin. There may be a more scientific way of saying this; best I can do!

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Thanks Trevor/Sal - will definitely be out there looking!!
Will also definitely let you all know how it goes for sure...goes without saying as you've all been most helpful!
One non-birdy q - what type of electric outlet plugs do you guys have out there, just so I know which adapters to buy!???

Cheers again
Ads

Ads,
The last couple of times we have seen Leopard have been just south of Lower Sabie, along the H4-2 Lower Sabie/Crocodile Bridge tar road.
The last time we saw Cheetah was the last time we were this far north in the KNP, just north of Letaba along H1-6 Letaba/Shingwedzi tar road. The open grasslands on the right are a favourite place for Cheetah.
If I remember correctly you are staying at Satara. If so, at dusk sit at the benches in front of the restaurant near the fence (facing the waterhole which is on the SANParks internet webcam http://www.sanparks.org/webcams/cams.php?name=satara
) and you will probably see Hyena.
We have seen Lion twice recently just outside Skukuza along the H4-1 Skukuza/Lower Sabie tar road close to the bridge over the Sabie River leading to the H1-2 road. The last time we were far north in KNP we saw Lion south of Shingwedzi camp along the H1-6 tar road about 10kms north of Mopane camp.
Sal mentioned Elephant. The farther north you go (again if I remember correctly you are going to Punda Maria) the more Elephant you will see, and the bigger they get. The Mopane savannah north from Olifants/Letaba to south of Punda Maria camp along the H1-6 tar road will give you plenty of large Elephant sightings.
As Trevor mentioned Wildcat...the only African Wildcat we have ever seen was just north of Punda Maria camp along the H1-8 tar road just as you pass under some electric pylons that cross KNP from West to East. If you go to Pafuri picnic spot, (which you must do if you are staying in Punda Maria) leave when the camp gates open and keep your eye out for Black-Backed Jackal as well on the way north, and lots of Nightjars on the tar roads.
Best of luck...


Martin

 

[Sal]

lots of Nightjars on the tar roads.

This should probably read 'lots of squashed Nightjars on the tar roads' . . . .

 

[birdboybowley]

This should probably read 'lots of squashed Nightjars on the tar roads' . . . .

Unfortunately all too true.....I remember being in the Gambia a couple of years ago and as we travelled inland to Georgetown we counted over 100 dead Standard-winged Nightjars on the road!!
Thanks for all the tips - am getting excited now......:-O
Watching an interesting programme on TV here at the moment about the mystery disease that's killing the Kruger's crocs.....never thought I'd empathize with a croc!

 

[Victor Soares]

Hey all,

Just wanted to say that I am currently in Swakopmund in Namibia for the first time and was very excited to get 5 lifers yesterday (probably easy one for you guys) as I basically never go to seaside towns. Got the following ticks yesterday: Hartlaub's Gull, Kelp Gull, Black-necked Grebe, Lesser Flamingo and Great White Pelican. Will try get some decent picks either today or tomorrow.

 

[Martin Hobbs]

This should probably read 'lots of squashed Nightjars on the tar roads' . . . .

Sal,
The strange thing is that I have seen flattened Nightjars on the roads in the south; however I can't remember seeing any squashed Nightjars in the far north. Maybe it is because there not many ‘casual, racing around only looking for Big 5’ tourists up north? Maybe it is because it is quieter and more relaxed and a slower pace in the far north?
I do not understand how somebody can run over a Nightjar, as their green eyes shine really brightly in the car headlights from quite a distance away....shame...

Martin

 

[Martin Hobbs]

Unfortunately all too true.....I remember being in the Gambia a couple of years ago and as we travelled inland to Georgetown we counted over 100 dead Standard-winged Nightjars on the road!!
Thanks for all the tips - am getting excited now......:-O
Watching an interesting programme on TV here at the moment about the mystery disease that's killing the Kruger's crocs.....never thought I'd empathize with a croc!

Ads,
Whilst we are on the subject of mammals, look out for the Thick-Tailed Bush-Babies at Punda Maria camp.
If you eat at the camp restaurant, sit outside and listen to the Nightjars and the Scops Owls, and maybe, as we heard earlier this year, you will hear a hysterical child like screaming from the tree tops....it will be the Thick-Tailed bush-Baby. It really is quiet alarming...

Martin

 

[Sal]

Sal,
The strange thing is that I have seen flattened Nightjars on the roads in the south; however I can't remember seeing any squashed Nightjars in the far north. Maybe it is because there not many ‘casual, racing around only looking for Big 5’ tourists up north? Maybe it is because it is quieter and more relaxed and a slower pace in the far north?
I do not understand how somebody can run over a Nightjar, as their green eyes shine really brightly in the car headlights from quite a distance away....shame...

Martin

We are booked into Shimuwini for two nights and Mopane for three before going south next year, but I guess this is not far enough north to see a difference . . . .

 

[Trevor Hardaker]

Hi Ads,

If you are going as far north as Punda Maria and Pafuri, there are 2 important mammals to look out for there in a South African perspective (although, if you have travelled further north on the continent, particularly in East Africa, you may have already seen them).

The first is Yellow-spotted Hyrax (aka Bruce’s Rock Hyrax) – these are not too uncommon on the few rocky outcrops in the north of the park, so just carefully check these areas for hyraxes and you should connect with it.

The second is Sharpe’s Grysbok – this can be a little tough to see during the day, but is almost guaranteed on the Punda Maria night drives. Just make sure that you let the guide know that you are keen on seeing it as it is a small antelope that often does not hold too much appeal for the more general night drive tourist who is just looking for the big iconic species. These Punda Maria night drives can also be very good for Pennant-winged Nightjars (again, a species you may have encountered elsewhere in Africa, but quite tough in South Africa). Check with the guides if they have seen them recently and whether they can take you to a spot where you are likely to see them.

Up in the north, there are also much larger populations of Nyala and they are much easier to see there than further south in the park.

If I happen to think of anything else in the next few days, I will pop it on to the forum as well.

Cheers
Trevor

 

[Steve Babbs]

Hey guys

What would be the best mammal fieldguide to bring out with me...?

Ads

I've used either Chris Tilde Stuart's guide to the mammals of Southern Africa and Jonathan Kingdon Pocket guide to African Mammals. They both have their advantages/disadvantages - ideally take both.

I'd be grateful if any of you southern African experts could check out my shrike picture in the Namibian section.

 

[Steve Babbs]

Hi Ads,

If you are going as far north as Punda Maria and Pafuri, there are 2 important mammals to look out for there in a South African perspective (although, if you have travelled further north on the continent, particularly in East Africa, you may have already seen them).

The first is Yellow-spotted Hyrax (aka Bruce’s Rock Hyrax) – these are not too uncommon on the few rocky outcrops in the north of the park, so just carefully check these areas for hyraxes and you should connect with it.

The second is Sharpe’s Grysbok – this can be a little tough to see during the day, but is almost guaranteed on the Punda Maria night drives. Just make sure that you let the guide know that you are keen on seeing it as it is a small antelope that often does not hold too much appeal for the more general night drive tourist who is just looking for the big iconic species. These Punda Maria night drives can also be very good for Pennant-winged Nightjars (again, a species you may have encountered elsewhere in Africa, but quite tough in South Africa). Check with the guides if they have seen them recently and whether they can take you to a spot where you are likely to see them.

Up in the north, there are also much larger populations of Nyala and they are much easier to see there than further south in the park.

If I happen to think of anything else in the next few days, I will pop it on to the forum as well.

Cheers
Trevor

I saw several Sharp's grysbok on my night dive from Punda Maria, in August 2003.