Sunday, May 19, 2013

Day 11- Mohlebetsi


Morning Field Notes:

1. 9 zebra/impala grazing
·      Birchel zebras have a “shadow stripe” that runs within the white stripe.

2.  Bachelor’s herd of 6 impala
·      Thrashing and practicing skills to overtake the dominant male of a harem herd.

3. 4 adult zebra (one of which is pregnant) and 1 baby

4. 2 warthogs that ran out of their den with their tails straight up

5. Bachelor herd of 5 impala who were thrashing in pairs
·      The metatarsal gland on the black spot of the back of their ankles releases a musky smelling chemicals when running.
·      Pre-orbital gland on their face is used in mating season. By rubbing their face on trees/ etc., they mark their territory.

6. Black Chested Snake Eagle sitting in tree
·      Giant bird!
·      Catches all types of snakes
·      Strong scales on legs protect them from snake bites

7. Suicide Bird
·      During courtship, it flies high in the sky, folds in its wings, and drops to the ground. Right before hitting, it spreads open its wings and breaks the fall at the last second. Females mate with the male who exhibited the best display.

8. Herd of Buffalo
·      Males have a “part” in the middle of their head called a “boss” that is made of hard bone; females lack this.
·      Fleming—the male tastes the hormones in the urine of a female and can tell if they are in estrus or not.

9. 3 Kudu running
·      Name came from the sand/bush people from the Cape area

10. 8 male impala in a bachelor’s herd and one wilderbeast male following

11. 1 Warthog

12. Lilac Breasted Roller

13. Yellow Billed Hornbill

14. Mother and baby giraffe


Afternoon Field Notes:

1. Giraffe (seen across fence)

2. 1 female Kudu

3. 1 Jackal
·      foregers
·      Pair bonders; however, were not seen together

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