As much as international travel is still limited, there are some guests that we have noticed returning to Londolozi.
The first I noticed arrived from somewhere between Finland and Western Russia; we haven’t been able to determine exactly. The second is almost definitely from western Russia, based on a number of observations. I have caught wind of a third guest – from central Africa – that was seen at a nearby lodge, heading in our direction. You may be wondering how these guests managed to get here with all the restrictions in place? I’ll tell you who they are:
First Guest – Wood Sandpiper:
A wood sandpiper. Safely at Londolozi on 6th August 2020 after a long journey from eastern Europe.
Our first visitor – a wood sandpiper – travelled right past the Londolozi camps and into the central parts of the reserve before it was even noticed. They typically leave Europe in late June and begin an overland trip towards southern Africa, where they arrive from August. They don’t intend on breeding during their stay (as many guests do) but rather take advantage of the abundance of resources on offer during our warmer period. Once the cold starts setting in again they decide they’ve had enough and depart for Europe again around March.
Second Guest – Common Greenshank:
A common greenshank. First seen on 11th August 2020 along the Sand River at Londolozi.
Common greenshanks do not breed in Southern Africa either. They are quite widespread worldwide but a lot of the individuals that visit South Africa are from western Russia. They are said to increase their body mass by about 70% prior to their long journey, most of which is completed in several long flights of up to 2000 kilometres each.
Third Guest – Yellow-billed Kite:
A yellow-billed kite. Easily identified in flight by their deeply forked tails.
Yellow-billed kites are the third guest that has made an appearance in the reserve already. Although we have not yet seen one over Londolozi itself, we expect to any day now. Interestingly the individuals of this species that arrive around August/September are breeding migrants from within Africa, whereas large numbers of non-breeding yellow-billed kites arrive later in the year (around December) for a shorter period.
The Migratory Bird List for 2019 on the Rangers’ Room wall. Time to replace it with the 2020 list!
For the rangers and trackers at Londolozi, the arrival of migratory birds is an exciting event. Although nobody will admit it, there is a quiet competition amongst all of us to try and tick off each species before everyone else… We have even gone so far as to print a list of all the possible species that could be seen in the area, which is stuck onto the wall in the rangers’ room. We note down whether a species has been heard or seen, by whom, where and when. It’s also a great record to keep as a reference over the years. For example, the common greenshank was seen at least two weeks earlier this year compared to 2019. For those keen on having a head start, there is a research programme tracking common cuckoo migration from Europe. It looks like one or two have already made the leap from Europe into northern Africa!
One of the colourful summer visitors to Londolozi – a carmine bee-eater. They will only arrive closer to December, once they have bred further north in Africa.
To the untrained eye, the arrival of migrant birds goes by very much unnoticed. Their arrival represents so much more than their mere presence, though. It means we have passed the peak of winter and we are headed for warmer days. It means our days are lengthening and soon, clouds will start building on the horizon. Although we have not yet welcomed back guests of the human kind, we know that the arrival of the migratory birds symbolises change. We hope that soon we will all be together again, guests and staff, enjoying the beauty of Londolozi.
Lovely story. Terrific photos as well.
Hoping you can welcome non-feathered guests back soon.
I can’t wait to hear the redchested cuckoo in my garden, although after awhile the call is a bit irritating. It is always a sign of summer when we hear the first woodlands kingfisher. The days are getting warmer in the Lowveld. Summer is on the way.
that’s quite incredible flying fromWestern Russia to Londoz in one go, any idea how long that would be of continuous flying
Hi Kenneth,
I have been reading up on this. Studies have shown that they are capable of flying 2000 kilometres in one flight. They will do several “long-hops” to get down to southern Africa, rather than one long flight as I had initially stated in the blog.
thanks Pete still incredible, very interesting blog a few more updates on this would be great from the list it looks like there is a lot more still to happen
Hi, how interesting the migration routes of all birds are… cuckoo are less and less seen in Europe, they have become a rare sight in several places in spite of their habit to lay their eggs in other species nests. I am sure you are all very keen on recording sights and number of species!
Pete, what a great blog today🤗
Beautiful birds! We cannot wait to return!
Thanks for the update Pete! I’m sure you all look forward to a bit warmer weather. The list of all the migratory bird list is quite amazing. We had no idea how many different species move back and forth! What is Palearctic?
There are two main groupings of migratory pathways that concern us in Africa. The first is the “intra-African” group that move within Africa. This is normally a North-South movement within the continent. The second is the “Palearctic’ group. These birds migrate from Africa to Europe and/or all the way into Asia on an annual basis. For interest sake, the longest round trip of any animal in the World is made by the Arctic Tern – 44000 miles or about 70000 kilometres each year!
Thanks Pete, now we understand the Palearctic part!
Excellent piece Peter, you really ‘had’ me at first … with the descriptions of your first visitors! Loved the photos as well.
The carmine bee-eater is a beautiful bird–such rich colors!
Wow! The carmine bee-eater is a show-stopper!
Beautiful — the Bee Eater is so colorfull
So cool! Thanks for posting, and looking forward to other migration news!
Actually I’m quite envious of these visitors – but has anyone told them they have to go into quarantine for 2 weeks?
We are keeping our distance, Suzanne.
Lucky, lucky birds.
So interesting to view your list of migrating birds. Growing up in White River, my father instilled a love in us all. for our feathered friends. Now living in Malta (one of the pit stops for migratory birds) and sailing the Mediterranean I have watched the sad decline of so many on your list. Malta has hunting rights for the best part of the year, including spring hunting. Sadly they do not stick to their quota and ignore rules with regard to protected birds. European bee eaters, any birds of prey and more are slaughtered. Most not even collected but if they are, are sold at a huge price so outweighs any fine they may incur. Tragic. On a lighter note though, we are presently sailing in the Aeolian Islands /Sicily and have seen small colonies of the rare Eleonora’s Falcon nesting on the rocky Obelisks that are scattered around the islands.!
Hi Cally,
That’s exciting news about the Eleonora’s Falcon. Enjoy the sailing trip. A real pity to hear about the open hunting rights – we definitely noticed fewer European Rollers last year, however the number that appear each year does seem to fluctuate.
Here’s to the beginning of warmer days and the thought of being together and migrating ourselves again!!
Good to know you’ve some return visitors, albeit the feathered kind. The wood sandpiper is fantastic and I hope to see one in a drive. Good luck and keep those eyes and ears in tune!!
A nice blog Pete and am sure the arrival of your feathered guests gives you all hope for things to come. I am sure that you are all suffering from the lack of human guests as, without them there is no income. Times are very tough the world over due to this virus and many lives have been lost. Fingers crossed that they will find a vaccine and things can return to normal. In the meantime – be well and stay safe to everyone at Londolozi.
Thanks Leonie
Awesome to see that these amazing birds have returned! ❤️
Amazing!! Yellow-billed kites have already arrived in Zululand and Cape Town too.
I absolutely admire migratory birds. The distances they often fly are just incredible and amazing!
Here in Switzerland our migratory birds are slowly gathering and getting ready for the great leap ever the Mediterranean. Soon I will have to say goodbye to my house swifts (common house martin) who breed under the roof of my house. They arrive each year towards the end of April and leave in late August/ early September. It is always a bit sad when they go. And the flight is so dangerous, especially because some Southern European countries still have the habit of catching these tiny birds….
If only the planes for the non-feathered guests to Southern Africa started soon…
Hi Christa,
It’s ironic how on one side of the World people are sad to see the migratory birds leaving, while on the other side, we are getting excited for their return. I’m hoping that it won’t be long for the non-feathered guests either…
Loved this story about the migrating birds Pete! It blows my mind as to the distances they have to travel! How on earth does such a small creature have the energy reserves to fly that far… I struggle to go to the gym 15 mins away…. in a car😂Thank you for sharing this wonderful information…. I had a giggle about your comment in the first paragraph… about monitoring breeding patterns of these birds…is there a chart for the guests too? 😆 I had to reread to the sentence! Made my day! Take care
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Maxine!
Always enjoy your informative blogs, so well crafted!