October 2012

“Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain to make its colours appear.”

Joburg got rained out but Pilanesberg only had a little 15 minute dusting not even enough to dampen the fire on Friday night......

We were a small group but boy oh boy where the animals big and vocal this weekend - Symphony to the ears!! 

The lions roared all of Friday night right through to Saturday morning whilst we were digging around the trees outside the Boma, the 3 kids were put on top of Nando's Landy so as that they could be our extra lookout eyes for our vocal lions who were accompanied off and on by a calling Fish Eagle! It was like having your Ipod on Nature Calls whilst we were working lol, we cleared up the Boma and the HO camp so they are all spic and span now! 

Saturday night we all sat around the fire discussing our highs and lows when we were greeted by a tremendous noise, in the top left hand corner of the Boma a very unhappy Elephant was having a wobble with some trees and shouting in the process! We all stayed very quiet in case he decided to join us around the fire, but wow what a sight and a noise! Later that night the lions started up again and early the next morning they were spotted mating about 30m from the chain - crickey!!

A few of us made our way to Mankwe walk way before heading off home to check the fence as the Elephants had been there and pulled a tree down and broke the fence.

Once again an amazing weekend in the bush.

Thank you to all
Di

Stunning Goliath Heron

Cracker Braces!

Thanks Tom for the pictures!

Here are a few pictures of Mr Ele from Wallys Camera Trap.....

September 2012

The clouds were heavy with the promise of rain as 17 Makanyane’s attacked the bridges and culverts on the Kwa Maritane road – unfortunately promise was all the clouds offered this weekend!

Nevertheless in true Makanyane form we came, we saw and we conquered! Lol okay Tom and Margaret’s saw conquered! But all in all a sterling job was done!

It was hard work but by splitting ourselves into 2 groups we could leapfrog each other and get more done, after hours we finally spied the gate – the end was in sight phew the news travelled quickly and before you knew it we all got our second wind crickey those pickaxes and shovels moved at super speed!

We found a nice healthy rock scorpion and a little black button spider! Diane also had a chat with a Warthog who decided to say hello whilst we were working on a bridge, hehehe I am not sure who got the biggest fright Diane or the warthog! 
Oooh we also witnessed a rare sighting, its definitely not something you see often and we felt it needed to be recorded – a group of 4 Makanyane’s pushing a gentleman’s car. He chose the perfect place to break down - right between the 2 groups! Now that’s what you call timing! What more could he ask for than to have a couple of strapping Makanyane lads assist him, unfortunately his Volvo was well and truly kaput so Ed and Andrew hooked him quickly onto the back of the bakkie and towed him back to Manyane!!

Later when we returned back to camp to get ready for that well deserved shower we were greeted by wonder as we found that Brian and Campbell had done a fantastic job and sorted out the work shop, everything now has a place thanks to their hard work! That was truly well needed and much appreciated guys!

Saturday night as always was brilliant, sitting around the fire listening to nature at its best what more could you ask for……..ooooh apart from your brother remembering the potjie hummm Gav lol thanks so much Jax for yours we would of gone hungry lol!!!

Once again a really good weekend guys!

Big Hugs to everyone

Vix

x

Dry Dusty Work but what a location!

Tom doing a bit of trimming!

 

Vorn sweeping up!

"Top Team!"

Andrew doing a bit of digging!!

Tom and his super dooper "Click Saw"

Grant and Graham working hard!

How many Makanyane's does it take to fix a Volvo????

Ummm not enough!! Push Boys!

Come on Mr G swing that axe!

The newbees working hard!

Black Button Spider

The Makanyane Culvert and Bridge Crew!!

Watch out I have a bone to pick with this tree!

What a nice sight 3 Rhino's enjoying a sun downer by the dam!

If you would like to send us any pictures or have any funny stories you would like to share please send them to either makanyanevolunteers@gmail.com or wally.vixi@gmail.com.

 INTERNATIONAL VULTURE AWARENESS DAY – 1 SEPTEMBER 2012

 The first Saturday of September every year is observed as International Vulture Awareness day by the Birds of Prey Programme (EWT-BoPP) of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, its partners and associates including provincial conservation bodies and several other NGOs involved in vulture research and conservation in South Africa. The purpose of this day is to create awareness of the continued plight of all vulture species and to highlight the work done by conservationists to monitor populations and implement effective measures to conserve these birds and their habitats

Vultures are faced with a range of threats such as poisoning, persecution, electrocution and collision with power-lines, drowning in farm reservoirs in drier parts of the country, shortage of safe food supplies and loss of suitable habitat. The potential impact of indiscriminately placed wind-energy installations is today recognised as a major emerging threat to large soaring birds such as vultures. A considerable number of installations of this nature are planned for South Africa and it is imperative that the placement of such sites should consider and attempt to avoid the potentially devastating impact that they may have on the populations of these already threatened birds.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust in collaboration with the VulPro and BirdLife South Africa will be hosting a fun-filled family day at the VulPro’s facilities near Hartbeespoort Dam. Activities will include talks on vulture conservation, vulture feeding and lots of activities for the children. You can contact André Botha at andreb@ewt.org.za, Kerri Wolter at kerri.wolter@gmail.com, or Ernst Retief at conservation.gauteng@birdlife.org.za for more information on the day’s activities. A number of rehabilitation centres and vulture restaurants in the country will also host special events and showing vultures to members of the public.

For additional information please go to www.international-vulture-awareness-day.org on how you can become involved.