The Reserve

Cape Vulture

The first research trip.

The last time I was in the Mkambati Nature Reserve was in 2010 observing herds of eland, zebra, and hartebeest. I did not see the vulture colony…

I am happy to report that after two years of planning and shopping for a week’s worth of food for me and three guys (the field crew), I SAW THE VULTURES!! 

The first one observed was actually in route to the reserve. We decided to follow road signs and not stick to my written directions and hence took a very long detour. While trying to navigate the almost identical dirt ‘roads’, we saw a Cape Vulture; a good sign! After asking almost everyone in the village for directions a taxi driver asks “Where you want to go?”. “To the vultures please!”

Once at the reserve, our travels were not done.  To observe the cliffs on the reserve, one must view them from outside of the reserve. So the next day we drove 20 minutes to the beach, set afloat two kayaks, and crossed the river. Then a two hour hike in good snake territory was the last leg.

My breath was taken away when I realized this was my study site! A river gorge with hundreds of vultures circling. Although tired after the two hour hike, I made sure to yell to the vultures “I’m not dead yet!”.

After the initial sense of awe, it was time to get down to business. The first day I was overwhelmed with all the data keeping and people management. On the second and third day I was more prepared and, therefore, enjoyed it more.

We observed stacking (kind of mating dance), copulation, nest building, and incubation. Overall there were about 115 active nests. The data collected this time will be cataloged and compared to the subsequent monthly visits as well as historical data.

The group - Notice my badly blistered feet!

I owe a big thanks to my field crew: The “ANES” aka Shane, Shane, and Dane. This being my first trip, none of us knew what to expect. We all went with the flow (and the 4:30 AM mornings).
Since I have been back at the office, I have a hard time not thinking about my next trip down. I can’t wait to see how the pairs progress. Which will succeed and which will fail? And more importantly why do they fail?

Easter 'Break'

Dark-capped Bulbul

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has off for this whole week, and the Monday following Easter Sunday. So it has been quiet on campus, but luckily not in my office.  My professor, as well as another grad student, where hard at work this week so I didn’t feel out of place being in the office getting stuff done. This week I wrote an outline for my introduction and introductions for two of my chapters (together 20 pages). Thursday alone, I wrote a research proposal for the Eastern Cape Parks Board asking to do research in a protected area.

This past Wednesday my professor and I went down to meet Jan from the Eastern Cape Parks Board in Durban. He is the person that brought me here! When I came two years ago, he had us help out with some of his research. It took a lot of work and plenty of time for me to have this opportunity. I think about how lucky I am to wake up in Africa every day!

It is hard to be away during a holiday, but I just remind myself about Christmas and how it will be here before I know it. In the mean time I bird, work on my masters, and READ. I read for my research, but also to catch up. I want to know all about the birds, trees, mammals, butterflies, flowers, reptiles, and amphibians! It is also good to also understand all the conservation issues and projects. One article I just read was about the Cape leopard and using satellite technology to track them. This leopard is found near Cape Town. I thought they were only found up in Kruger! Check out their website http://www.capeleopard.org.za/.

New favorite Easter candy: sugar coated chocolate eggs!