25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, South africa - SOUTHERN KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori ssp. kori)

The kori bustard (Ardeotis kori) is the largest flying bird native to Africa. It is a member of the bustard family, which all belong to the order Otidiformes and are restricted in distribution to the Old World. It is one of the four species (ranging from Africa to India to Australia) in the large-bodied genus Ardeotis. The male kori bustard may be the heaviest living animal capable of flight.

This species, like most bustards, is a ground-dwelling bird and an opportunistic omnivore. Male kori bustards, which can be more than twice as heavy as the female, attempt to breed with as many females as possible and take no part in the raising of the young. The nest is a shallow hollow in the earth, often disguised by nearby obstructive objects such as trees.

Kori bustards spend most of their time on the ground, with up to 70% of their time being on foot, although they do occasionally forage in low bushes and trees. This bustard is a watchful and wary bird. Their behavior varies however, and they are usually very shy, running or crouching at the first sign of danger; at other times they can be completely fearless of humans. They have a hesitant, slow manner of walking, and when they detect an intruder they try to escape detection by moving off quietly with the head held at an unusual angle of between 45° and 60°. Being a large and heavy bird, it avoids flying if possible. When alarmed it will first run and, if pushed further, will take to the air on the run with much effort, its wings making heavy wingbeats.

Once airborne it flies more easily with slow, measured wingbeats, with the neck extended and the legs folded. It usually remains low and lands again within sight. When they land, kori bustards keep their wings spread and only fold them when the bird has slowed down to a walking speed. Kori bustards have no preen gland, so to keep clean, they produce a powder down. Sunbathing and dust bathing are practiced. Mostly residential, kori bustards may engage in nomadic movements.

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - FLATPLATE MILLIPEDE (Family Spirostreptidae)

Spirostreptidae is a family of large, round-backed millipedes within the order Spirostreptida, often referred to as giant millipedes, containing around 100 genera distributed across Africa, Madagascar, the Americas, and the Seychelles.

Key Facts About the Family (Spirostreptidae) & Genus (Spirostreptus):Classification: They are part of the class Diplopoda and order Spirostreptida. The genus Spirostreptus Brandt, 1833, is a key group within this family.

Size and Structure: These are among the largest millipedes in the world, with some species, such as the Giant African Millipede, reaching lengths of up to \(38.5 \text{ cm}\) (\(15.2 \text{ in}\)) and \(67 \text{ mm}\) (\(2.6 \text{ in}\)) in circumference.

Leg Count: Despite being called "thousand-leggers," members like the giant African millipede typically have between 300 and 400 legs (roughly 256 or more depending on species and molting). 

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - COWPEN DAISY (Verbesina encelioides)

Verbesina encelioides is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Common names include golden crownbeard, cowpen daisy, gold weed, wild sunflower, butter daisy, crown-beard, American dogweed, and the Spanish Añil del Muerto ("indigo of the dead").

It is a summer annual with blooms resembling small sunflowers and distinctive flattened seeds. It is native to North America, growing in disturbed habitats.

The plant grows up to 1.5 metres (5 ft) tall. The leaves are up to 10 centimetres (4 in) long, with toothed edges. Blooming from June to September, the yellow flower head is up to 5 cm (2 in) wide.

The species is native to the Southwest United States and Northern Mexico. It is naturalized in parts of Eastern North America, the Middle East, Spain, Argentina, Australia and the Pacific islands.

The species responds strongly to disturbances on suitable sites. Like sunflowers, it produces allelopathic chemicals that slow the growth of other susceptible plant species. Research has identified an allelopathic effect on radishes which may explain its ability to dominate other species in some locations.

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - SCALY WEAVER (Sporopipes squamifrons)

 The Scaly-feathered Weaver, scientifically known as Sporopipes squamifrons, presents itself as a charming bird with a distinctive appearance attributed to its namesake scaly feathers. This species, also colloquially referred to as the Scaly-feathered Finch, is a member of the Ploceidae family.

The Scaly-feathered Weaver (Sporopipes squamifrons) is a small, social weaver bird from southern Africa, common in dry woodlands and savannas, known for its pale brown/grey plumage with distinctive black and white markings, feeding on seeds and termites, and roosting communally in ball-shaped nests. 

Upon observation, one may note the unique pattern of the bird's plumage, which resembles scales, giving it a rather reptilian aspect amidst the avian world. The adult bird can be seen attending to its spherical grass nest, a testament to its industrious nature.

The Scaly-feathered Weaver thrives in the savannas and dry bushland, where it can find the materials it needs for its intricate nest-building.

This species graces the African continent with its presence, specifically found across Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The Scaly-feathered Weaver is known for its sociable demeanor, often seen in flocks, and its remarkable nest-building skills.

Bird enthusiasts can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the Scaly-feathered Weaver is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating a stable population in the wild.

Appearance: Primarily pale brown/gray with black forehead/crown featuring white arrow-shaped tips, black lores/chin, white throat, and black malar streaks; bright pink bill.

Diet: Seeds (especially grass, millet, sorghum) and termites (caught on ground/air).

Habitat: Arid/semi-arid regions of southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa).

Behavior: Forages on the ground, hops briskly, drinks water regularly when available, roosts communally in grass nests.

Nests: Ball-shaped, made of grass, sometimes clustered; spout entrance. 

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SA - DANCING AMBER BUTTERFLY (Telchinia serena)

Acraea serena, the dancing acraea, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found throughout Africa south of the Sahara. It is the most common of the Acraea, from Dakar to Fort-Dauphin and from Yemen to the Cape.

This is the type species of the old genus Telchinia, which may warrant re-separation from Acraea. Formerly, A. serena was often misidentified as Acraea eponina (small orange acraea) or Acraea terpsicore (tawny coaster).

It is very likely that the butterfly's black-spotted orange markings are a sign of unpalatability and it may well form part of a mimicry ring with Erikssonia edgei.

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - LESSER GREY SHRIKE (Lanius minor)

The lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor) is a member of the shrike family Laniidae. It breeds in South and Central Europe and western Asia in the summer and migrates to winter quarters in southern Africa in the early autumn, returning in spring. It is a scarce vagrant to western Europe, including Great Britain, usually as a spring or autumn erratic.

It is similar in appearance to the great grey shrike (Lanius excubitor) and the Iberian grey shrike (Lanius meridionalis); both sexes are predominantly black, white and grey, and males have pink-flushed underparts. It is slightly smaller than the great grey shrike, and has a black forehead and relatively longer wings. This species prefers dry open lowlands and is often seen on telephone wires.

This medium-sized passerine eats large insects, especially beetles, butterflies, moths and grasshoppers. Lesser grey shrikes frequently hover when hunting on their breeding grounds, but do not do so while moulting on non-breeding grounds. Like other shrikes, it hunts from prominent perches and sometimes impales corpses on thorns or barbed wire as a "larder".

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SA - LILAC BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus)

The lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) is an African bird of the roller family, Coraciidae. It is widely distributed in Southern and Eastern Africa, and is a vagrant to the southern Arabian Peninsula. It prefers open woodland and savanna, and it is for the most part absent from treeless places. Usually found alone or in pairs, it perches at the tops of trees, poles or other high vantage points from where it can spot insects, amphibians and small birds moving about on the ground. Nesting takes place in a natural hole in a tree where a clutch of 2–4 eggs are laid, and incubated by both parents, who are extremely aggressive in defence of their nest, taking on raptors and other birds. During the breeding season the male will rise to a fair height (69 to 144 metres), descending in swoops and dives, while uttering harsh, discordant cries. The sexes do not differ in coloration, and juveniles lack the long tail streamers of adults. This species is unofficially considered the national bird of Kenya. Alternative names for the lilac-breasted roller include the fork-tailed roller, lilac-throated roller (also used for a subspecies of purple roller), Mosilikatze's roller, and troupand.

Lilac-breasted rollers are found throughout eastern and southern Africa, and occurs locally at sea level, and up to 2,000 metres above sea level or over. Their range extends from the Red Sea coast of Eritrea through East Africa (including Zanzibar) to southern Africa, where they occur commonly in Namibia (excluding the Namib Desert), Botswana, Zimbabwe, and northeastern South Africa. The nominate subspecies C. c. caudatus is non-migratory, but a measure of post-breeding dispersal occurs into miombo woodland or sandy areas, before they return to the breeding areas at the start of the rains. Its counterpart, the lilac-throated roller (C. c. lorti) migrates from northeast Kenya to northwest Somalia to breed from late April to mid-September. The latter subspecies is also a vagrant to Eritrea, Oman and Yemen. Lilac-breasted rollers are most abundant in Kenya, though the species is less abundant than in former times.

Both subspecies live in open savannah habitats with scattered trees and shrubs, as the birds require higher perches for feeding and nesting. Less often they frequent riverine vegetation and light forest, and may enter subdesert steppe or open grassland where any elevated perches may be used. In protected areas, lilac-breasted rollers are among the bird species that frequent the verges of roads, especially during fires, when the small animals and insects that emerge from cover are easily predated. However, lilac-breasted rollers avoid other human-influenced areas and are not found in urban or rural areas unless they are abandoned. Outside of protected areas such as national parks, lilac-breasted rollers may infrequently be seen when farmers burn land for agricultural use. Such brush fires stir up insects and other invertebrates, and birds can be seen swooping in for easy prey.

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SA - SOUTHERN WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum ssp simum)

The southern white rhinoceros or southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) is one of the two subspecies of the white rhinoceros (the other being the much rarer northern white rhinoceros). It is the most common and widespread subspecies of rhinoceros.

The southern white rhinoceros is the nominate subspecies; it was given the scientific name Ceratotherium simum simum by the English explorer William John Burchell in the 1810s. The subspecies is also known as Burchell's rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum burchellii) after Burchell and Oswell's rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum oswellii) after William Cotton Oswell, respectively. However, these are considered synonyms of its original scientific name.

Ceratotherium simum kiaboaba (or Rhinoceros kiaboaba), also known as straight-horned rhinoceros, was proposed as a different subspecies (or species) found near Lake Ngami and north of the Kalahari Desert. However, it is now considered part of the southern white rhinoceros and ranges throughout southern Africa.

Following the phylogenetic species concept, research in 2010 suggested the southern and northern white rhinoceros may be different species, rather than subspecies, in which case the correct scientific name for the northern subspecies is Ceratotherium cottoni and the southern subspecies should be known as simply Ceratotherium simum. Distinct morphological and genetic differences suggest the two proposed species have been separated for at least a million years.

The southern white rhinoceros is one of largest and heaviest land animals in the world. It has an immense body and large head, a short neck and broad chest. Females weigh around 1,600–1,700 kg (3,530–3,750 lb) and males around 2,000–2,300 kg (4,410–5,070 lb), with specimens of up to 3,600 kilograms (7,940 lb) considered reliable, and larger sizes up to 4,500 kg (9,920 lb) claimed but not verified. The head-and-body length is 3.35–4 m (11.0–13.1 ft) and a shoulder height of 160–186 cm (5.25–6.10 ft). It has two horns on its snout. The front horn is larger than the other horn and averages 60 cm (24 in) in length and can reach 166 cm (65 in) in females. Females usually have longer but thinner horns than the males, who have larger but shorter ones. The southern white rhinoceros also has a prominent muscular hump that supports its large head. The colour of this animal can range from yellowish brown to slate grey. Most of its body hair is found on the ear fringes and tail bristles, with the rest distributed sparsely over the rest of the body. The southern white rhino has a distinctive flat, broad mouth that is used for grazing. Southern white rhinos are strictly herbivores (graminivores) that feed on short grasses.

Their Lifespan is up to 50 years in the wild.

Little is known about southern white rhinoceros' mating habits, but females reproduce every 2–3 years. They give birth to a single calf, after a gestation period that lasts around 16 months. Males are never directly involved in the raising of calves; in rare instances, certain rogue individuals may even kill calves that they perceive as future competition, both for resources and bloodline dominance. Newborn calves weigh about 45 kg (100 pounds) at birth. Young usually become independent in 2–3 years.

The southern white rhino lives in the grasslands, savannahs, and shrublands of southern Africa, ranging from South Africa to Zambia. About 98.5% of southern white rhino live in just five countries: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda.

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SA - COMMON GARDEN ORB WEB SPIDER (Argiope australis)

Argiope australis, the common garden orb web spider, is an orb-web spider (family Araneidae) found in eastern sub-Saharan Africa.

Argiope australis is found throughout eastern sub-Saharan Africa, with records from Cape Verde, Senegal, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa.

It is found as far west as the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Namibia and in some areas of South Asia in Sindh, Pakistan.

Argiope australis is widespread throughout Africa. In South Africa, the species is known from all nine provinces at elevations ranging from 7 to 2,066 m above sea level.

The species constructs orb webs in open grassland areas and gardens. The webs are usually placed low in shrubby vegetation sturdy enough to bear their weight. The spider hangs at the hub head-down throughout the day, with webs frequently decorated with a stabilimentum. The species has been sampled from all floral biomes and was also collected from crops such as avocado, peach and pistachio orchards, pine plantations and pumpkin fields.

After rain in the Free State at Clocolan, an "Argiope city" was discovered where 50-60 spider webs were present in bushes, likely attracted by high numbers of grasshoppers. Most webs were large, at least 500 mm in diameter, some with stabilimenta and others without.

1-4-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - GROUND BEETLE (Calosoma maderae)

Calosoma maderae is a species of ground beetle (Carabidae) known as a "caterpillar hunter," with adults typically measuring 25 to 35 mm (0.98–1.38 in) in length. Described in 1775, this predator has a wide distribution, appearing in North Africa, parts of Asia, and Europe (including Spain and Greece).

Key Facts About Calosoma maderae:Appearance: The upper body ranges from black to dark bronze, featuring a triploid elytral sculpture (patterned wing covers).

Habitat: Often found in dry, sandy, or agricultural areas.Diet: A predatory beetle that feeds on caterpillars and pupae, acting as a natural control agent for pest populations.

Behavior: They are mobile, terrestrial insects that can fly and are sometimes active at night,, attracted to light.Subspecies: Includes subspecies such as C. m. maderae, C. m. dzungaricum, and C. m. indicum.

Defense: Possesses pygidial glands that release strong-smelling secretions for defense.

Distribution: Found in Algeria, Canary Islands, Morocco, Tunisia, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Kashmir, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Madeira, Russia, and Spain.

27-3-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - SARDINIAN WARBLER (MALE) (Sylvia melanocephala)

The Sardinian warbler (Curruca melanocephala) is a common and widespread Sylviidae warbler from the Mediterranean region. Like most Curruca species, it has distinct male and female plumages. The adult male has a grey back, whitish underparts, black head, white throat and red eyes. Plumages are somewhat variable even in the same locality, with the intensity of a reddish hue on upper- and/or underside that varies from absent to (in some subspecies) pronounced. The female is mainly brown above and buff below, with a grey head. The Sardinian warbler's song is fast and rattling, and is very characteristic of the Mediterranean areas where this bird breeds.

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - RED BACKED SHRIKE (Lanius collurio)

The red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio) is a carnivorous passerine bird and member of the shrike family, Laniidae. Its breeding range stretches from Western Europe east to central Russia. It is migratory and winters in the eastern areas of tropical Africa and southern Africa.

This 16–18 cm-long (6.3–7.1 in) migratory bird eats large insects, small birds, frogs, rodents and lizards. Like other shrikes it hunts from prominent perches, and impales corpses on thorns or barbed wire as a "larder." This practice has earned it the nickname of "butcher bird."

The general colour of the male's upper parts is reddish. It has a grey head and a typical shrike black stripe through the eye. Underparts are tinged pink, and the tail has a black and white pattern similar to that of a wheatear. In the female and young birds the upperparts are brown and vermiculated. Underparts are buff and also vermiculated.

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA - SOUTHERN BLACK BACKED JACKAL (Lupulella mesomelas ssp. mesomelas)

The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) is a medium-sized canine native to eastern and southern Africa. These regions are separated by roughly 900 km (560 mi).

One region includes the southernmost tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The other area is along the eastern coastline, including Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. It is listed on the IUCN Red List as least concern due to its widespread range and adaptability, although it is still persecuted as a livestock predator and rabies vector.

It has a reddish brown to tan coat and a black saddle that extends from the shoulders to the base of the tail. It is a monogamous animal, whose young may remain with the family to help raise new generations of pups. The black-backed jackal has a wide array of food sources, feeding on small to medium-sized animals, as well as plant matter and human refuse.

It also plays a prominent role in African folklore, often depicted as a cunning and adaptable trickster figure. Despite ongoing conflict with humans due to livestock predation, its populations remain stable thanks to its resilience and adaptability across diverse landscapes.

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SA - SILVER PALE CHANTING GOSHAWK (Melierax canorus ssp. argentior)

The Silver Pale Chanting Goshawk—more commonly known as the (Southern) Pale Chanting Goshawk (Melierax canorus)—is a distinctive bird of prey native to the arid regions of southern Africa. Known for its silver-grey plumage, red legs, and melodic breeding calls, this raptor is a common sight perched on telephone poles along roadsides in dry areas. 

Here are the key facts regarding the Pale Chanting Goshawk:

Appearance

Coloration: Adults have pale, silvery-grey upperparts, a white rump, and a finely barred grey-and-white belly. 

Distinguishing Features: They have bright red legs, a red cere (skin above the bill), and red eyes. 

Flight Appearance: In flight, they show white secondary flight feathers, making them appear pale, with black primaries. 

Size: They are roughly 55 cm long with a wingspan of about 110 cm. Females are larger and heavier than males. 

Juveniles: Younger birds are brown above with white, barred tails and rufous-streaked underparts. 

Habitat and Range

Location: Found in southern Africa, mainly in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and southwestern Angola. 

Environment: Inhabits dry, open semi-deserts, arid savannas, and shrublands with less than 75 cm of annual rainfall. 

 Behavior: They are largely sedentary (not migratory) and are often seen perched on roadside telephone poles, trees, or bushes to hunt. 

Hunting and Diet

Opportunistic Diet: They eat small mammals (rodents, hares), lizards, snakes, small birds, insects, and carrion. 

Perch and Drop: They scan from high spots and glide down to catch prey.

Walking: They are known to hunt on foot, running down prey.

Association: They often follow honey badgers and other small predators to catch animals (such as rats) flushed by them.

Tortoise Predators: They are one of the few predators that eat tortoises, swallowing small ones whole while the shell is still soft.

Breeding and Behavior

"Chanting": The name comes from their melodious, whistling call (kleeu-kleeu-kleeu-ku-ku-ku), which is mainly heard during the breeding season. 

Reproduction: Nests are small, built from sticks in thorn trees, and often lined with debris like rags, wool, and dung. 

Polyandry: While usually monogamous, in food-rich areas (like the Little Karoo), one female may breed with two males (polyandry). 

Siblicide: Usually, two eggs are laid, but only one chick survives to fledge, often because the older chick kills the younger one (siblicide). 

Helpers: Young birds from previous seasons sometimes remain in their natal territory to help raise new broods. 

Conservation Status

The species is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.

They are widespread and common, though they can be affected by pesticide use during locust outbreaks and occasionally drown in farm reservoirs. 

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SA - SPOTTED HYENA (Crocuta crocuta)

The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), also known as the laughing hyena, is a hyena species, currently classed as the sole extant member of the genus Crocuta, native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN due to its widespread range and large numbers estimated between 27,000 and 47,000 individuals. The species is, however, experiencing declines outside of protected areas due to habitat loss and poaching. Populations of Crocuta, usually considered a subspecies of Crocuta crocuta, known as cave hyenas, roamed across Eurasia for at least one million years until the end of the Late Pleistocene. The spotted hyena is the largest extant member of the Hyaenidae, and is further physically distinguished from other species by its vaguely bear-like build, rounded ears, less prominent mane, spotted pelt, more dual-purposed dentition, fewer nipples, and pseudo-penis. It is the only placental mammalian species where females have a pseudo-penis and lack an external vaginal opening.

 The spotted hyena is the most social of the Carnivora in that it has the largest group sizes and most complex social behaviours. Its social organisation is unlike that of any other carnivore, bearing closer resemblance to that of cercopithecine primates (baboons and macaques) with respect to group size, hierarchical structure, and frequency of social interaction among both kin and unrelated group-mates. 

The social system of the spotted hyena is openly competitive, with access to kills, mating opportunities and the time of dispersal for males depending on the ability to dominate other clan-members and form ally networks. Females provide only for their own cubs rather than assist each other, and males display no paternal care. However, the spotted hyena is also very cooperative with their clan-mates; often hunting, eating, and resting together, and making use of their numeracy and communication skills to fight off a common enemy. Spotted hyena society is matriarchal; females are larger than males and dominate them.

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SA - SPOTTED HYENA (JUVENILE) (Crocuta crocuta)

The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), also known as the laughing hyena, is a hyena species, currently classed as the sole extant member of the genus Crocuta, native to sub-Saharan Africa. It is listed as being of least concern by the IUCN due to its widespread range and large numbers estimated between 27,000 and 47,000 individuals. The species is, however, experiencing declines outside of protected areas due to habitat loss and poaching. Populations of Crocuta, usually considered a subspecies of Crocuta crocuta, known as cave hyenas, roamed across Eurasia for at least one million years until the end of the Late Pleistocene. The spotted hyena is the largest extant member of the Hyaenidae, and is further physically distinguished from other species by its vaguely bear-like build, rounded ears, less prominent mane, spotted pelt, more dual-purposed dentition, fewer nipples, and pseudo-penis. It is the only placental mammalian species where females have a pseudo-penis and lack an external vaginal opening.

The spotted hyena is the most social of the Carnivora in that it has the largest group sizes and most complex social behaviours. Its social organisation is unlike that of any other carnivore, bearing closer resemblance to that of cercopithecine primates (baboons and macaques) with respect to group size, hierarchical structure, and frequency of social interaction among both kin and unrelated group-mates. The social system of the spotted hyena is openly competitive, with access to kills, mating opportunities and the time of dispersal for males depending on the ability to dominate other clan-members and form ally networks. Females provide only for their own cubs rather than assist each other, and males display no paternal care. However, the spotted hyena is also very cooperative with their clan-mates; often hunting, eating, and resting together, and making use of their numeracy and communication skills to fight off a common enemy. Spotted hyena society is matriarchal; females are larger than males and dominate them.

The spotted hyena is a highly successful animal, being the most common large carnivore in Africa. Its success is due in part to its adaptability and opportunism; it is primarily a hunter but may also scavenge, with the capacity to eat and digest skin, bone and other animal waste. In functional terms, the spotted hyena makes the most efficient use of animal matter of all African carnivores. The spotted hyena displays greater plasticity in its hunting and foraging behaviour than other African carnivores; it hunts alone, in small parties of 2–5 individuals, or in large groups. During a hunt, spotted hyenas often run through ungulate herds to select an individual to attack. Once selected, their prey is chased over a long distance, often several kilometres, at speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph).

25-2-2026 MADIKWE GAME RESERVE, SA - COMMON BUZZARD (Buteo buteo)

The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a medium-to-large bird of prey which has a large range. It is a member of the genus Buteo in the family Accipitridae. The species lives in most of Europe and extends its breeding range across much of the Palearctic as far as northwestern China (Tian Shan), far western Siberia and northwestern Mongolia. Over much of its range, it is a year-round resident. However, buzzards from the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere as well as those that breed in the eastern part of their range typically migrate south for the northern winter, many journeying as far as South Africa.

The common buzzard is an opportunistic predator that can take a wide variety of prey, but it feeds mostly on small mammals, especially rodents such as voles. It typically hunts from a perch. Like most accipitrid birds of prey, it builds a nest, typically in trees in this species, and is a devoted parent to a relatively small brood of young. The common buzzard appears to be the most common diurnal raptor in Europe, as estimates of its total global population run well into the millions.

25-2-2026 RHULANI LODGE, MADIKWE RESERVE SA - DAMARA SKINK (Trachylepis damarana)

Trachylepis damarana, also known as the Damara skink or Damara variable skink, is a species of skink. It is found in southern Africa, specifically in south-eastern Angola, northern Namibia, western Zambia, northern and eastern Botswana, Zimbabwe, north-eastern South Africa, and western Mozambique.

Trachylepis damarana is a very common terrestrial skink inhabiting open, rocky habitats in savanna. It has fully developed limbs and can reach 68 mm (2.7 in) in snout–vent length.

25-2-2026 RHULANI LODGE, MADIKWE RESERVE SOUTH AFRICA - BLACK WAVE MOTH (Scopula nigrinotata)

The Black wave moth (Scopula nigrinotata) is a species of moth in the family Geometridae. It is found in Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

27-2-2026 V AND A WATERFRONT, CAPE TOWN - TRAILING AFRICAN DAISY (Dimorphotheca fruticosa)

Dimorphotheca fruticosa, is a species of perennial herb native to coastal areas of South Africa. It is commonly known as trailing African daisy, and by its synonym Osteospermum fruticosum.

It has been classified as a weed in New Zealand where it is now a widespread coastal plant, particularly in the North Island.

27-2-2026 WATERFRONT, CAPE TOWN - SOUTHERN HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash ssp. hagedash)

The hadada ibis (Bostrychia hagedash) or hadeda (/ˈhɑːdiːdɑː/) is an ibis native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is named for its loud three to four note calls uttered in flight especially in the mornings and evenings when they fly out or return to their roost trees. Although not as dependent on water as some ibises, they are found near wetlands and often live in close proximity to humans, foraging in cultivated land and gardens. A medium-sized ibis with stout legs and a typical down-curved bill, the wing coverts are iridescent with a green or purple sheen. They are non-migratory but are known to make nomadic movements in response to rain particularly during droughts. Their ranges in southern Africa have increased with an increase in tree cover and irrigation in human-altered habitats.

Tantalus hagedash was the scientific name proposed by John Latham in 1790 who described it from a specimen that had been collected at "Houteniquas", due north of Mossel Bay, by Anders Sparrman who also recorded that it was onomatopoeically "called by the colonists hagedash, and also hadelde." It was later placed in a monotypic genus as Hagedashia hagedash but has since been placed in the genus Bostrychia. Three subspecies are recognized, the nominate form is found south of the Zambezi river and is paler and shorter billed than those of other subspecies. Populations to the north of the Zambezi river and towards the eastern parts of Africa including Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan and Ethiopia are larger and longer billed and designated as B. h. nilotica (Neumann, 1909) while to the west from Senegal to Congo and Kenya the darker brown and more brightly glossed populations are designated as B. h. brevirostris (Reichenow, 1907). A range of intermediate plumages are known and other subspecies such as erlangeri and guineensis have been proposed in the past. 

27-2-2026 WATERFRONT, CAPE TOWN - CROWNED CORMORANT (Microcarbo coronatus)

The crowned cormorant (Microcarbo coronatus) or kuifkopduiker, 'Fringe-head diver', is a small cormorant that is endemic to the waters of the cold Benguela Current of southern Africa. It is an exclusively coastal species and is not found more than 10 km (6 mi) away from land. This species is related to the reed cormorant, and was formerly considered to the same species.

It is found from Cape Agulhas north to Swakopmund along the coast of southern Africa.

The population appears to be between 2500 and 2900 breeding pairs. It breeds in small groups, with fewer than 150 individuals per colony being typical. Ringing recoveries show that juveniles may disperse up to 277 km from their nests, and adults move between breeding sites over 500 km apart.

The crowned cormorant is 50–55 cm in length. Adults are black with a small crest on the head and a red face patch. Young birds are dark brown above, paler brown below, and lack the crest. They can be distinguished from immature reed cormorants by their darker underparts and shorter tail.

Crowned cormorants feed on slow-moving fish and invertebrates, which they forage for in shallow coastal waters and among kelp beds.

It builds a nest from kelp, sticks, bones and lines it with kelp or feathers. The nest is usually in an elevated position such as a rocks, trees or man-made structures, but may be built on the ground.

Threats to the species include predation of eggs and chicks by kelp gulls and great white pelicans, human disturbance, oiling, and commercial fishing activities, including entanglement in marine debris and plastic fishing gear.

According to the Sasol Birds of Southern Africa and The Eskom Red Data Book of Birds of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland, its status is Near Threatened due to its small distribution area, though the IUCN lists it as Least Concern.

27-2-2026 WATERFRONT, CAPE TOWN - HAUTLAUB'S GULL (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)

The gull is a non-migratory breeding resident endemic to the Atlantic Ocean coastline of South Africa and Namibia. Although it is predominantly coastal or estuarine, it is not a pelagic species, and is rarely seen at sea far from land. About one half of the total population, currently estimated at 30,000 birds, lives within the Greater Cape Town area. It has accommodated well to humans, and can become very tame around habitations. Although it is a relatively rare species, about the tenth rarest of the world's 50 or so gull species, it is common in its range and is widely regarded in Cape Town as a nuisance, fouling buildings and bathing in urban ponds. It has, at times, been a hazard to aircraft near airports.

Like most gulls, Hartlaub's is highly gregarious in winter, both when feeding or in evening roosts. This is a noisy species, especially at colonies. The call is a raucous crow-like kaaarrh. This species is frequently the subject of complaints about the noise it makes in urban areas.

27-2-2026 WATERFRONT, CAPE TOWN - BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)

The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world, occurring on all continents, with vagrants reported even in Antarctica. It is a distinctive passerine bird with blue upperparts and a long, deeply forked tail. In Anglophone Europe, it is just called the swallow; in northern Europe, it is the only member of family Hirundinidae called a "swallow" rather than a "martin".

There are eight subspecies of barn swallow, which breed across the Northern Hemisphere. Two subspecies (H. r. savignii and H. r. transitiva) have fairly restricted ranges in the Nile valley and eastern Mediterranean, respectively. The other six are more widespread, with winter ranges covering much of the Southern Hemisphere.

The barn swallow is a bird of open country that normally nests in man-made structures and consequently has spread with human expansion. It builds a cup nest from mud pellets in barns or similar structures and feeds on insects caught in flight. This species lives in close association with humans, and its insect-eating habits mean that it is tolerated by humans; this acceptance was reinforced in the past by superstitions regarding the bird and its nest.

26-3-2026 MONTE CORONA, VALENCIA - BUFF TAILED BUMBLE BEE (Bombus terrestris)

Bombus terrestris, the buff-tailed bumblebee or large earth bumblebee, is one of the most numerous bumblebee species in Europe. It is one of the main species used in greenhouse pollination, and so can be found in many countries and areas where it is not native, such as Tasmania. Moreover, it is a eusocial insect with an overlap of generations, a division of labour, and cooperative brood care. The queen is monogamous which means she mates with only one male. B. terrestris workers learn flower colours and forage efficiently.

B. terrestris is most commonly found throughout Europe and generally occupies temperate climates. Because it can survive in a wide variety of habitats, there are populations in the Near East, the Mediterranean Islands, and Northern Africa as well. Additionally, it has escaped captivity after being introduced as a greenhouse pollinator in countries where it is not native, so this bee is now considered an invasive species in many of these places, including Japan, Chile, Argentina, and Tasmania. Nests are usually found underground, such as in abandoned rodent dens. Colonies form comb-like nest structures with egg cells each containing several eggs. The queen will lay egg cells on top of one another. Colonies produce between 300 and 400 bees on average, with a large variation in the number of workers.