WILDLIFE BLOG

Today, I spent a few hours watching hippos from a hide on the river bank. While the hippos were wallowing, and not doing all that much, I focussed on the White-fronted bee-eaters who were nesting in the river bank. They were flying regular sorties out over the river to catch insects which they returned to the nest to feed their chick. But occasionally, they would fly down low over the water and dive in headfirst to [...]

As I drove out of camp yesterday, I caught sight of the very distinctive tear-drop breast plumage of a juvenile African Goshawk in a thick bush at the side of the road. It was behaving strangely by remaining in the bush even when I was nearby, and I couldn't work out what was the problem. As I reversed, it did fly off but only to another branch and without breaking cover. I went back to camp [...]

Every day is different when you go out in the bush. Seasons change, animals' behaviour patterns change, and if they didn't I think the bush would lose most of its appeal. Even so, there are days when everything just falls into place, and at every turn (or so it seems) there is something wonderful to see. Waterbuck are often overlooked, and sometimes they don't get the attention they should; this big male was in no hurry [...]

March vs September in the Luangwa...

We saw the first build up of storm clouds today, suggesting that we are heading towards the rainy season a little earlier than usual this year. We always have several false starts, where the clouds mass on the horizon, and the wind begins to blow, and then it all comes to nothing. This evening the steel-grey clouds mixed with the golden light of the setting sun to give a fantastic mauve effect. This Great White Egret [...]

During 2010, a new male lion appeared in the area, and ousted the existing pride male, an old boy named Slit (from a nasty injury that left him with a slit in his nostril). The new male was named Shaka, after Shaka the Zulu Chief who usurped his predecessor and was famed for his brutality. In fact, Shaka has been mating with the pride females almost continually since then, and hasn't had much time to show [...]

This genet provided the perfect pose, showing exactly why they are such efficient hunters. Just at home in the trees as on the ground, they emerge from the shadows in a flash and turn roosting birds, eggs, grasshoppers and small rodents into dinner.

Coming back from the park this morning, I stopped on the bridge to talk to the ZAWA scouts at the gate. All the while that I was standing there, I could hear Guinea Fowl calling frantically from the area near our access road. I rushed down there, knowing that the extended calls from the ground dwelling Guinea Fowl signalled a bird of prey - which seem to be their biggest fear - rather than any other [...]

A friend and I just enjoyed a fantastic trip up the Great North Road to Kasanka NP and Bangweulu Swamps. While both areas are famous for their birdlife, Kasanka is also home to the world's most visible popuation of the shy Sitatunga antelope, and the plains surrounding the Bangweulu swamps provide grazing for 100,000 Black Lechwe. The birdlife at Kasanka is astonishing, and we didn't have to try too hard to see lots of new species, [...]

It's a question that I've been asked regularly by guests over the last couple of years, and I think a question that I asked before I became a guide. The answer is usually 'no' but there's rarely an explanation as to why not! Because of the feathers? Because some birds clean the mouths of crocodiles so the reptiles respect all birds? I think crocodiles may take any water bird that comes too close, provided that it [...]