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.

August's Workparty

Even though it was a chance to get away for a long weekend only 12 brave MV packed their winter woolies for this month's work party.

On Friday 68km's of road was covered and the bridges and culvert cleared along the way - phew it was hard work....

On Saturday we cleaned the boma up after the lions. After picking up 5 or 6 wheelbarrows, we are now all experts on lion poo!! The bones left over from their meals were put under a tree where Wayne set up his camera, hoping it will attract some interesting animals - hold thumbs!!

That evening we all sat around a nice big Makanyane fire. Watching the stars through Graham telescope was enjoyed by all including 2 HO's who joined us for the braai. 

The wind started to blow in the early hours of Sunday morning bring the cold front with brrrrrr.

Love
Di

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Pilansberg was freezing cold, minus 4 in the the morning. We thought the water pump on our caravan had packed up as no water was coming out. After about half an hour we tried again and as the water hit the bottom of the glass it froze!!. At about 8.00 we emptied some water out onto the ground and it also froze . So very chilly starts to the day. Otherwise it was nice. The park was very full . There was a sighting of 3 cheetahs at a kill , but you couldn't get near it with all the cars and not-so-thoughtful people driving into the bush to try and see what was going on.

See you next month!

Tom & Margaret
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White-throated Robin-chat

Coming through!

Dust!

Dusty Hard Work

Wally, Daryl and Jacquie

Come on put your back into it!

Just keep digging!

Watch your fingers Wally!!

Margaret Makanyane!

Southern Yellow Billed Hornbill

Happy Thomas's!

Wendy working hard and cleaning up!

Justin, Sonja and Wendy getting the fire ready

Justin and his fire!

Graham showing us the stars! No Wally Angelina Jolie is not one of them!


Thanks for the weekend updates Dianne, Tom and Margaret and for photos Tom & Wally.