Update from our South Africa biodiversity conservation expedition
Group 1 has left. Group 2 is about to start. Here are some preliminary results and what happened during the last days of group 1.
The joy of gently handling birds
Our last early morning bird-ringing session at Blue Hill was most successful with 23 birds captured, measured, ringed and released. Holding a tiny fragile creature safely in your hand and letting it go is a moment of joy. Our thanks goes to Alan for teaching us ways to handle them gently and carefully, even as some of them struggle and bite our fingers.
Patience pays off
There is a reason why some research target species, namely the riverine rabbit, are so elusive. Even though present, we did not spot them for all of group 1, despite some significant effort – no camera trap pictures or sightings on night drives. Finally, on the very last evening, we bagged a data sheet record and a picture of a critically endangered species on top. Thanks John, you deserve the night drive award!
Preliminary results in numbers
Night transects: Four completed, 66 km covered, 238 minutes surveyed, 1 sighting of riverine rabbit
Leopard identification: Two clear flank pictures of a male leopard and up to 100 leopard pictures retrieved from the camera traps that need further identification.
Bird ringing: Three sessions, 34 birds captured, 12 species recorded, including Cape Robin Chat, Common Fiscal, Cape Bulbul, Little Rush Warbler.
Honeybush survey: 214 plants at Blue Hill surveyed,. The reproduction rate compares 11% on South to 70% on East Road and suggests a significant correlation between fire (2012 South, 2017 East) and reproduction rate.
iNaturalist biodiversity surveys: More that 600 observations added to the Blue Hill Nature Reserve project.
Goodbyes
Thank you group 1 for all your efforts and the contribution you have made to support refuge creation and management. It’s been a pleasure having you here, driving long distance transects and defying rough terrain on data recording walks. None of the above would have happened without you. I hope you’ve enjoyed your time as much as we did. Safe travels to all of you.
Read also: First I second I third I fourth I fifth I sixth entry. All entries for the South Africa biodiversity conservation expedition.
Author: Malika Fettak
Malika Fettak is half Algerian, but was born and educated in Germany. She majored in Marketing & Communications and is a qualified Systemic Coach & Trainer and passionate team leader. She joined Biosphere Expeditions in 2008, ran the German-speaking operations and the German office for some years and has led expeditions all over the world. She cares deeply about nature, the outdoors and the diversity our planet has to offer. She has travelled extensively, is multilingual, a qualified off-road driver, diver and outdoor first aider. More about Malika.