Venda: Biodiversity and Places of Northern Limpopo.

Arnold’s Velvet Gecko (Homopholis arnoldi), Blouberg Nature Reserve

The SCBC has been working on biodiversity data collection in the Soutpansberg area for over a year now. Our activities have been centred on the Medike property on the banks of the Sand River. Due to the vastness of the mountain range and peripheral areas; to broaden the habitats in this biodiversity rich area, the SCBC has now begun to work in different areas. The purpose of this is to increase the SCBC project’s scope and create more accurate data representations of biodiversity assemblage for the region.

Delande’s Beaked Blind Snake (Rhinotyphlops lalandei)

September was set aside as a month for travelling and we began the tour at Blouberg Nature Reserve to the west of the Soutpansberg range. Generally Blouberg is treated as a separate entity, but the mountain is geologically related to the Soutpansberg and under sampled. For the purposes of the SCBCs mandate (to spend time walking searching of biodiversity) Blouberg Nature Reserve was not well suited to the task. Because of the presence of buffalo in the area walking is discouraged. However the little time spent there did turn up some interesting new reptiles for our lists not yet found on the Soutpansberg; Delande’s Beaked Blind Snake (Rhinotyphlops lalandei) and the newly described Arnold’s Velvet Gecko (Homopholis arnoldi). There are a few protected areas around the mountain that are buffalo free and this is an area that has been identified as having a lot of future potential for SCBC work.

Sunduvall's Writhing Skink (Mochlus sundevalli), Mashovella, Soutpansberg.

After Blouberg it was our intention to explore the Northern slopes of the Western Soutpansberg, unfortunately the few sites that offer accommodation were fully booked. We spent a night at Mashovella, which is situated in a beautiful valley. Unfortunately Mashovella is not conducive to research, the accommodation is expensive and there are many rules governing activity on the property. So we moved on to a small farm called Zvakanaka. The property is small but gives access to quite a large chunk of the moister and higher Southern slopes of the Soutpansberg. The property is wedged between agricultural land and is very conducive to research. Unfortunately the weather was cold and we could not work, so decided to head east for warmer and dryer weather.

Mopane Veld, Nwanedi Nature Reserve, Limpopo.

Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis), Nwanedi Nature Reserve, Limpopo.

One of the habitats that we needed to sample was the Mopane Veld which grows on the northern edges of the Soutpansberg.  We decided to spend a few days at Nwanedi Nature Reserve. Nwanedi is a large reserve, comprised of riverine vegetation patches, Mopane veld and arid mountain savannah. The region is extremely hot and dry. Nwanedi proved to be very productive and conducive to research. Permission to walk anywhere was easily granted and there is also a good road network. We spent six nights at Nwanedi and made a list of 16 reptiles (four of which were new for the SCBC lists) and we also found six species of scorpion. The SCBC will certainly do more forays to Nwanedi in the coming months.

Pachydactylus punctatus, Nwanedi Nature Reserve.

Limpopo girdled lizard (Cordylus jonesii), Nwanedi Nature Reserve.

Holub's Sandveld Lizard (Nucras holubi), Nwanedi

Being in Venda we decided to spend a few nights in a rural site near the village of Segole at the Big Tree Lodge. The lodge is next to a property where there is a massive Baobab tree. The is claimed to be the biggest in the world and is estimated to be over 3000 years old. The tree is one of the most remarkable organisms that I have ever seen. Segole was good for reptiles – in the few days there we created a list of 15 species, including three new species for our lists. We used the big tree lodge as our base and I can recommend the place to anyone travelling in the area.

The Big Tree, Adansonia digitata at Segole.

East African Shovel-Snout (Prosymna stuhlmanni), Segole.

Common Barking Gecko (Ptenopus garrulus garrulus), Segole.

Parabuthus mossambicensis, Segole.

Still very much in the Venda area we travelled to the forested slopes of the far eastern Soutpansberg and stayed at Golwe-Vhurivhuri campsite. The community runs the campsite and the facilities are excellent. They have ample space for camping and two safari tents for those who want a bit of luxury. The campsite is situated on a river in a forest and is an excellent area for birding, otherwise difficult to see species like African Broadbill, Eastern Nicator, Narina Trogon and even Pink-throated Twinspot are very easily observed in and around the campsite. Our time at Golwe-Vhurivhuri turned up two new lizards for our lists as well as a new scorpion.

Zygaspis quadrifrons, Golwe-Vhurvhuri, Eastern Soutpansberg.

Spotted Sandveld Lizard (Nucras intertexta), Golwe-Vhurvhuri, Eastern Soutpansberg.

Forest at Golwe-Vhurvhuri, Eastern Soutpansberg.

The forest that Golwe-Vhurivhuri connects to is full of secrets and recently turned up the second record of a Forest Cobra, Naja melanoleuca. Looking at the habitat in the forest as Golwe-Vhurivhuri and comparing it to suitable habitat in the KZN coastal forests, future work in the area is bound to reveal the presence of this shy snake. During 2016 the SCBC will make regular forays into the area.

Still following our west east trajectory we decided to end the Limpopo part of the tour at Pafuri on the eastern limits of our catchment area. We stayed at Pafuri River Camp on the banks of the Mutale River just south of the Limpopo. The property boasts some nice riverine bush with Mopane veld scattered with Baobabs. The Mopane veld in the area was crawling with Pachydactylus punctisima and in some patches the density of this species was remarkable. For scorpions the area is very good and a reliable place to find Uroplectes chubbi, Lychas burdoi and many Hottentota trilineata.

Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), Pafuri, Kruger National Park.

Spotted Hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), Makuleke, Kruger National Park.

The final destination on the tour was to the coastal forests of Kwazulu-Natal to study the habits and habitat of the Forest Cobra (Naja melanoleuca). We camped at Mtunzini and walked for cobras every day. Finding the cobras was easy enough, one day we saw four individuals. Getting a picture was a bit tricky as the snake is very shy. But from what we saw at Mtunzini, the forest cobra likes thick areas in closed canopy forest and also seemed more abundant in areas close to the river there. The way to find them is to walk slowly and silently looking deep into piles of rotting wood and tangles of vegetation. All the ones we saw were on the ground (some moved off into the bushes) and most were basking. At Mtunzini we only saw the Forest Cobras in the day. Looking for cobras we also encountered a few other reptiles in the forest, including the Common Purple-glossed Snake (Amblyodipsas polylepis polylepis), A big Vine Snake (Thelotornis capensis capensis) and the bizarre Giant Legless Skink (Acontias plumbeus).

Common Purple-glossed Snake (Amblyodipsas polylepis polylepis), Mtunzini, KwaZulu Natal.

Giant Legless Skink (Acontias plumbeus), Mtunzini, KwaZulu Natal.

Zambia: Miombo, Flogo, Peacifo, Beautifo!

Straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) returning to roost.

Every year roughly eight to ten million Straw-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) descend on a patch of forest in Kasanka National Park. This is said to be the largest mammal migration in the world. The bats come from all over central Africa to take advantage of the fruiting of Masuku (Uapaca kirkiana) and Waterberry fruits (Syzygium cordatum). I was lucky enough to travel to Kasanka this year to witness the phenomena.

Millions of bats in all directions.

A Martial Eagle sits waiting to snatch a bat.

An African Fish Eagle flies through the bats after an unsuccessful attempt at catching one.

Kasanka is a smallo park in Serenje province, close to the Democratic Republic of Congo Border. It is a beautiful park, with Miombo Woodland, Dambos, Papyrus Swamps and some interesting evergreen forest types. The bats congregate in a type of forest called Mushitu, which is rich in wildlife.

Bats flying around the Mashitu where the bats congregate.

The bats can be viewed in the evening when leaving the roost and in the morning when returning to the roost. In the evening the bats spread out from the forest in search of feeding grounds – millions in all directions. In the eveining the bats fly silently over, all one can hear is the gentle sound their wings make (it sounds like a slow-moving river). Standing there in the early evening, seeing the spectacle for the first time was an incredible experience. It is incomparable to any other experience I have had.

A view of a Dambo and some Puku from the forest.

Roadblock! An elephant at Kasanka.

In the mornings we viewed the bats returning to their roost after they had been foraging. In the morning the bats are completely different. They are noisy and fly around in all directions before resting. As it get lighter one can begin to see the forest and all the raptors perching waiting to take a bat for breakfast. The raptors I saw capitalising on the abundance of food were white-backed vultures, Martial Eagles, African Fish Eagles, Black Sparrow Hawks and various others.

Kinda Baboon.

Puku, a nice looking antelope closely allied to Waterbuck.

Besides bats, there are numerous interesting animals in Kasanka. The birding in Kasnaka is amazing: I was hoping to see Ross’s Turaco and I saw a lot. There are some unusual mammals. Blue Monkeys and Kinda Baboons are two special mammals one can see easily. I enjoyed seeing the antelope Sitatunga and Puku. 

Ngoshe or Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis). A large graceful reptile.

A view of one of the large granite outcrops at Mutinondo.

After spending a few days at Kasanka I journeyed to Mutinondo Wilderness in Muchinga province near Mpika. This is a wilderness area in some pristine Miombo woodland intersected by Dambos and chrystal clear rivers. I spent about a week in Mutinondo just enjoying everything this remote place has to offer. I saw Forest Cobras, many interesting frogs, many beautiful birds and an interesting mammal, the Chequered Elephant Shrew (Rhynchocyon cirnei). I also enjoyed eating Masuku everyday.

Masuku. One of my favourite fruits. Tasty, juicy and lying everywhere.

A view of Miombo woodland.

Brachystegia spiciformis, the most dominant Miombo tree at Mutinondo.

Being in Zambia and experiencing the Miombo woodland for the first time was so special for me.  Compared to the Bush I am used to in South Africa I found the Miombo very soft. There are barely any thorn trees and not many rocks. One could walk barefoot all day without having to worry about too much (well demonstrated by my friend Matt). It is very soft. The Brachystegia trees are really interesting with quite a bit of diversity in the genus. And then all the associated plants are very different too. Some trees I could recognise as the same species or genus as down south, but most of the flora was quite different. It was fascinating to walk through it.

Next on my journey was a substantial time spent in Lusaka, catching up with old friends and making some new ones. Lusaka is a big city and it is growing rapidly. We were staying on the outskirts and despite the rampant development there was a lot of wildlife to be seen. Highlights in Lusaka were all the Wahlberg’s Skinks (Trachylepis wahlbergii), finding some wild Pandinus scorpions, seeing my first Pennant-winged Nightjar and all the frogs. There are a lot in Lusaka.

Trachylepis wahlbergi, very common in Lusaka.

Mike Chona showing me one of the local plants called Mulolo.

Pandinus viatoris, first time I have seen a member of this genus in the wild.

My overall impressions of the country were positive. Zambians are very “peacifo” and easy going. My local friend took me to the inner city markets and into Chibolya compound dubbed the most dangerous place in Lusaka and I am happy to report that it was very relaxed compared to a place like Johannesburg. Just on the outskirts of Lusaka is a forest called State Lodge Forest, this is one of the most beautiful parks I have had the pleasure of walking through. It is nice Miombo woodland with many birds and animals. 

There are a few environmental issues in the country, rampant urban sprawl, pollution and deforestation. But this issue goes much deeper than what is seen on the surface. Perhaps in the future things will change as the general population manages to get out of poverty.

I look forward to visiting Zambia in the future again. Thanks to my friends Matt and Sam for sponsoring my journey and allowing me to experience one of the most incredible natural phenomena in the world.

Amietophrynus guturalis, Lusaka.

Amietophrynus maculatus, Lusaka.

Arthroleptis xenochirus, Mutinondo.

Belostomatidae preying on Kassina senagalensis.

Breviceps poweri, Lusaka.

Chondrodactylus turneri, Mutinondo.

Chamaeleo dilepis, Mutinondo.

Hemisus marmoratus, Lusaka.

Hilderbrandtia ornata, Lusaka.

Hyperolius kivuensis, Kasanka.

Kassina senegalensis, Lusaka.

Kinixys spekii, Mutinondo.

Leptopelis bocagi, Mutinondo.

Mertensophryne taitan, Mutinondo.

Pachydactylus oshaugnessyi,  Lusaka.

Phrynobatrachus natalensis, Lusaka.

Ptychadena mascareniensis, Lusaka.

Ptychadena oxyrhynchus, Lusaka.

Pyxicephalus adspersus,  Lusaka.

Schismaderma carens, Lusaka.

Xenopus,  Lusaka.

Lygodactylus angolaensis, Mutinondo.

Birds

African Darter

Hammerkop

Grey Heron

Black-headed Heron

Yello-billed Egret

Cattle Egret

Squacco Heron

Glossy Ibis

Hadeda Ibis

Saddle-billed Stork

African Openbill

Wooly-necked Stork

White-faced Duck

Spur-winged Goose

Black-shouldered Kite

Yellow-billed Kite

African Fish Eagle

Hooded Vulture

White-backed Vulture

Black-chested Snake Eagle

Bateleur

African Harrier Hawk

Black Sparrow Hawk

Steppe Buzzard

Augur Buzzard*

Martial Eagle

Amur Falcon

Helmeted Guineafowl

Coqui Francolin

Red-necked Spurfowl *

Black Crake

Common Moorhen

Wattled Crane

African Jacana

Bronze-winged Courser

African Wattled Lapwing

Crowned Lapwing

African Snipe

Red-eyed Dove

Cape Turtle Dove

African Green Pigeon

Grey-headed Parrot

Ross’s Turaco *

Schalow’s Turaco *

Diederic Cuckoo

Klaas’s Cuckoo

Africa Emerald Cuckoo

Levailant’s Cuckoo

Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo *

Red-chested Cuckoo

Black Cuckoo

Coppery-tailed Coucal *

Barn Owl

Marsh Owl

African Wood Owl

Spotted-eagle Owl

Barred Owlett

Freckled Nightjar

Pennant-winged Nightjar *

African Palm Swift

Speckeled Mousebird

Red-faced Mousebird

Narina Trogon

African Hoopoe

Green Woodhoopoe

Pied Kingfisher

Malachite Kingfisher

Grey-headed Kingfisher

Brown-hooded Kingfisher

Woodland Kingfisher

Striped Kingfisher

Lilac-breasted Roller

Little Bee-eater

White fronted Bee-eater

European Bee-eater

Southern Ground Hornbill

Crowned Hornbill

Trumpeter Hornbill

Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird

Black-collared Barbet

Black-backed Barbet *

Golden-tailed Woodpecker

African Broadbill

Rufous-naped Lark

Black Saw-wing

Barn Swallow

Lesser Striped-swallow

Red-breasred Swallow

Mosque Swallow

Cape Wagtail

Striped Pipit

Black Cuckooshrike

Purple-throated Cuckooshrike *

White-breasted Cuckooshrike

Square-tailed Drongo

Fork-tailed Drongo

African Golden Oriole *Black-headed Oriole

Pied Crow

White-necked Raven

Grey Penduline Tit

Miombo Tit *

Rufous-bellied Tit *

Spotted Creeper *

Dark-capped Bulbul

Terrestrial Brownbul

Yellow-bellied Greenbul

Grey Olive Greenbul *

Groundscraper Thrush

Kurrichane Thrush

White-browed Robin Chat

Miombo Scrub Robin *

Common Stone Chat

Familiar Chat

Little Rush Warbler

Fan-tailed Grassbird *

Rattling Cisticola

Chirping Cisticola *

Croaking Cisticola

Yellow-breasted Apalis

Tawny-flanked Prinia

Yellow-bellied Eremomela

Grey-backed Cameraoptera

Stierling Barred Wren-Warbler

Southern Black Flycatcher

Ashy Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

Collared Flycatcher *

African Paradise Flycatcher

Chinspot Batis

Black-throated Wattle-eye

Red-backed Shrike

Common Fiscal

Black-backed Puff-back

Brubru

Tropical Boubou

Orange-breasted Bush Shrike

Brown-crowned Tchagra

Black-crowned Tchagra

White-crested Helmet-shrike

Ret’z Helmet-shrike

Miombo Blue-eared Starling *

Violet-backed Starling

Red-billed Oxpecker

Amethyst Sunbird

Olive Sunbird

Western Violet-backed Sunbird *

Anchieta’s Sunbird *

Collared Sunbird

White-bellied Sunbird

African Yellow White-eye

House Sparrow

Spectacled Weaver

Village Weaver

Southern Masked Weaver

Dark-backed Weaver

Yellow-mantled Widowbird

Antailed Widowbird

Orange-winged Pytilia

Red-throated Twinspot *

 Red-billed Firefinch

Brown Firefinch *

Bronze Mannikin

Blue Waxbill

Common Waxbill

Pin-tailed Whydah

Reichard’s Seed-eater *

Ciinamon-breasted Bunting

Cabanis’s Bunting

Reptiles

Naja melanoleuca (Mutinondo)

Dendroaspis polylepis (Kasanka)

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia  (Lusaka)

Philothamnus sp (Mutinondo)

Dispholidus typus (Mutinondo)

Dasypeltis scabra (sloughed skin) (Lusaka)

Trachylepis margaritifer (Mutinondo)

Trachylepis wahlbergii * (Lusaka, Kasanka)

Trachylepis varia (Mutinondo, Lusaka)

Trachylepis striata ? (Mutinondo)

Afroablepharus ‘wahlbergii’ (Mutinondo)

Ichnotropis squamulosa (Lusaka)

Gerrhosaurus sp (Mutinondo)

Varanus niloticus (Kasanka)

Agama armata (Kasanka)

Acanthocercus atricollis (Mutinondo)

Chamaeleo dilepis (Mutinondo, Lusaka)

Hemidactylus mabouia (Lusaka)

Lygodactylus capensis (Lusaka)

Lygodactylus angolaensis * (Mutinondo)

Pachydactylus puntatus (Lusaka)

Pachydactylus oshaughnessyi * (Lusaka)

Chondrodactylus turneri (Mutinondo)

Crocodylus niloticus (Kasanka)

Kinixys spekii (Mutinondo)

Frogs

Xenopus (Lusaka)

Hemisus marmoratus (Lusaka)

Amietophrynus guturalis (Lusaka)

Amietophrynus maculatus (Lusaka)

Schismaderma carens (Lusaka)

Mertensophryne taitana * (Mutinondo)

Arthroleptis stenodactylus * (Mutinondo)

Arthroleptis xenochirus * (Mutinondo)

Breviceps poweri  *(Lusaka)

Hyperolius marmoratus (Lusaka)

Hyperolius kivuensis * (Kasanka)

Kassina senegalensis (Lusaka)

Leptopelis bocagi * (Mutinondo)

Phrynobatrachus natalensis (Lusaka)

Phrynobatrachus mababiensis (Lusaka)

Hildebrandtia ornata (Lusaka)

Pyxicephalus adspersus (Lusaka)

Ptychadena mascareniensis (Lusaka)

Ptychadena oxyrhynchus * (Lusaka)

Tomopterna cryptotis (Lusaka)

Ameita angolensis (Mutinondo)

Mammals (Sight, sound, track and sign)

Epulated Fruit Bat (Kasanka, Mutinondo)

Straw-coloured Fruit bat (Kasanka)

Shrew (Mutinondo)

Chequered Elephant Shrew (Mutinondo)

Tree Squirrel (Mutinondo, Kasanka)

Gambian Giant Rat (Lusaka)

Porcupine (Mutinondo)

Scrub Hare (Mutinondo, Lusaka)

Yellow-spotted Hyrax (Heterohyrax) (Mutinondo)

Lesser bushbaby (Mutinondo)

Thick-tailed Bushbaby (Kasanka, Mutinondo)

Vervet Monkey (Mutinondo, Lusaka)

Blue monkey (Kasanka)

Yellow Baboon (Mutinondo)

Kinda Baboon (Kasanka, Kundalila)

Slender Mongoose (Mutinondo)

African Civet (Mutinondo)

Leopard (Mutinondo) – scat found at various sites too large for serval and caracal. Too much hair and bone for hyaena.

Spotted Hyaena (Mutinondo)

Elephant (Kasanka)

Plains Zebra (Kasanka)

Hippopotomus (Kasnaka)

Duiker (Mutinondo)

Klipspringer (Mutinondo)

Reedbuck (Mutinondo)

Puku (Kasanka)

Sitatunga (Kasanka)

Bush Buck (Mutinondo, Kasanka)

Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia, Lusaka.