BOOM IN THE BUSHVELD - Limpopo Nest Checks

 

Our first season of nest checks in the Limpopo has been completed. Twenty-four artificial nests were checked as well as two known natural nests. None of these nests were found active. But it is encouraging to note that five of the artificial nests showed signs of owl activity. The species in question seem to be Barn and Spotted Eagle Owls.

 

This season the Limpopo has received very little rain, less than usual. Hardly any grass is left, the dams are low and the sun unrelenting. Many farmers have no choice but to sell off most of their game and cattle to prepare and compensate for the bad winter season that is about to follow. The veld just does not have enough nutrition to support all the herds through the winter.

 

 

As much as farmers need rains so does the Ground Hornbill and in years of low rainfall many groups do not breed. Ground Hornbills require huge amounts of food to support and fledge a youngster and during bad seasons they may skip a season or more until the conditions are right for breeding. In the Kruger National Park Ground Hornbill groups on average raise a youngster to adulthood every 9 years and this is an indication of this long-lived species low reproductive rate.

 

With all these obstacles facing ground hornbills what is there to be positive about? Ground Hornbills have a knack for survival if the conditions are right and with the help of private landowners who protect them, kind sponsors who supply artificial nests and the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project creating awareness the conditions are right. Now all we need is rain and waiting for rain in the Limpopo requires patience… Luckily patience is something Ground Hornbills have in heaps!

 

Nick Theron

The Mabula Ground Hornbill Project

February, 2007