December 2015 - Wildebeest migration updates

Hi HerdTracker, 

Remember the 3G wildebeests we spotted a few days ago? We bumped to one today (Solo) so maybe two of them ended up in a predators belly.

Solo was with his new friends, topis. I hope Solo lives to see the new year.

Regards,
Onesmus
 

Hi HerdTracker,

Some our our drivers reported big herds in Kusini, mainly airstrip area

Regards,
Tom

We were amused to see these three wildebeest (nicknamed the 3 G) cutting through the Mara Savannah plains looking a bit nervous and out of place.. They even tried to camouflage themselves with gazelles but they were too big and dark not to be noticed. They could be the only three gnus left in the Mara Reserve after the Serengeti herds went back home and also Loita/Residents went back into the Mara North/Olare Orok and Naboisho conservancies.

Regards,
Onesmus

Hi 

Most of the herds are between Serengeti South and Ndutu spread thinly over the open plains. 

Thanks and Regards,
Capt. Joel J Fernandes
Coastal Aviation
 

The Mara has been experiencing good rains for the last six weeks which has lead to swelling of the rivers and luggas, the grass is lush and green with herbivores having an early Christmas.

There are a few topi's still dropping their babies which is abit late since they normally do it in October and November. There are also buffalo's roaming in hundreds and looking fit. The zebra and wildebeest have gone back to the conservancies (east and northern part of the reserve) which is also the maternity/calving zone for the wildebeests (between late Jan-March).

Regards,
Onesmus
 

The plains are lush with new grass, and wildflowers. The migrating animals are spread out over vast areas, and through all the woodlands. Driving into Ndutu across the plains, through the woodlands, along the lake shores. 

I am reminded of Basil in Faulty Towers: "Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain." Just a few early calves making an appearance too. The rain continues, although not in the unmanageable deluges of a couple of weeks ago.

After a short rainfall last nigh and a warm night we awoke to a heavy blanket of mist this morning. The Musiara area is looking very green and healthy with many species of wild flowers growing amongst the green grasses.

Marsh pride news: The marsh lion were in the southern grasslands of Bila Shaka and the four females were in the Bila Shaka river bed. One of the lionesses has two small cubs that are perhaps 10 days old now. The BBC have been staying at Governors Camp for the last seven months filming the Marsh Pride and they have named this lioness Berry.

Red and four females were on the open plains south of Bila Shaka and while Charm,Tatu and four sub adults cubs were closer to Topi plains.

There are many Elephant scattered across the open plains, with dominant Musth bulls on the plains. Birding has been great too with Kori Bustards displaying, Grey Kestrels being seen more often, many plover species and water birds in the marsh waterways.

Photos courtesy of Patrick Reynolds, Governors Il Moran Camp Manager.

Dear Carel

Jackson our guide returned from a full day game drive advising the migration is spread from Gol Kopies, Naabi heading across to Ndutu.

Kind Regards Alison & Tom

A small shower of approximately 16 mm of rain last night kept a blanket of cloud cover over the Mara until 9.30am. The marsh pride had killed a large male buffalo south of the Bila Shaka river bed in the early hours of the morning, all 11 lion had eaten well, this was well deserved meal a great sighting to see all of them participating. Red, Tatu, Sienna's three sub adults and Charm with the five lionesses, there were over 50 spotted Hyena and many Black backed Jackals this morning when the marsh pride was feeding; the Hyena eventually had the remains at 10.00 am.

Large herds of elephant will be seen on the Musiara plains as they move across and through the marsh and into the woodlands, an estimated 100 elephant with many calves were seen this morning. There are large Buffalo herds up on Rhino Ridge and also in the east marsh grasslands. Topi and Cokes hartebeest will be seen in the Bila Shaka plains and also on Topi plains, this month we have been seeing Topi male sparring with one another as they determine their lek properties. Paradise Plains still has longer grass than much of the other open areas within Musiara. A Large Eland bull was seen on Topi plains along with scattered herds of male and female Topi and a few resident Zebra, grass levels on the open plains are improving with showers of rain nearly on a daily basis.

On the west marsh grasslands within the periphery of the riverine woodlands there are many giraffe, Defassa water buck, Olive Baboons, Grants gazelles and impala, Impala are all year breeders young fawns will also be seen in these breeding herds. Two fawns were taken yesterday 10th by male Olive Baboons in the riparian woodlands close to the BBC campsite area.

The small Thompson gazelles will be more favorably seen on the open plains of Bila Shaka and rhino ridge.

Large flocks of open billed storks who are a highly gregarious small Stork, with an unusually-shaped and highly specialized bill will be seen in the centre of the marsh for water levels are higher and also most likely food value is more available, often at midday they can be seen circling high with the thermals. Black necked Herons and Grey herons will also be seen along the verges of the marsh and many other of the stagnant waterways.

Grey Kestrels are being seen widespread, with many termites building up their mounds since the rains these kestrels feed off these working termites.

And to cap it all off our clients had a good sighting of two Aardwolves it appear that it was a mother with a sub adult cub. Aardwolves are not often seen and this is probably one of the better photos seen in recent years.

Two of Selinda Reserve's pride males crossing a channel. These two are powerful and have a close bond. It's always a treat seeing them.

Morning Carel

Wildebeest all over the plains, they are certainly gettng denser each day, we have had reports from our guides that there are many towards twin hills (Matiti) and then also south of us towards Alex's Serengeti South Camp Kakessio area.  It seems the herds are here early for a reason, to give birth, so we are expecting the early calves to arrive late December and January this year!  All in all, it is great to see the Serengeti so beautiful and green, what a time to be here and experience this all with not many people around!

Keep well

Ainslie Wilson, Ndutu Safari Lodge

It is with sadness that we can confirm that some of the lions we spend time with last October during our #MaraLive broadcast are now dead, poisoned by cattle herders aparently taking refenge on cattle being killed by lions recently.  How ficcle the relatioship between cattle herders and conservationists.  If we cannot look after The Marsh Pride how will we look after lions that are in remote areas and who are not famous?  

Morning

The Serengeti is green all over and wonderful to see new cubs, pups, calves and the plains are alive with life!  The herds are a little scattered all over with so much water available but some good numberds arrived at Alex Walker's Seregneti South Camp, so if you are close then the next few weeks at least are looking hard to resist at both Kusini and Kekessio.  Lakes Ndutu and Masek still have some herds around with hidden valley and the marshes good areas.  With so much good nutrition and grass around do we expect the calving season the start a little early this year, so if you have tome off during January or even end december then make use of the southern plains, a wonderful timew to be there!

Carel Verhoef, HerdTracker

Morning Carel

We are opening a week early at Ndutu, so Ndutu Wilderness Camp will open on the 9th of December 2015 instead of the 15th as scheduled, so we have an extra week of availability.  As you know the southern plains are where you are suppose to eb right now!  See you soon

John Addison

Safari Collection, Wild Frontiers

Hi Carel, I only saw a few zebras roaming within the reserve, however we've had very good cat sightings, especially cheetahs with cubs and lionesses with newborns. Interesting weather earlier today, fog and mist across the savannah. Regards, Onesmus

Hi Carel,

It's hard to say exactly where the wildebeest are, as they are everywhere!  Driving through the woodlands and anywhere out on the plains, they are everywhere but really spread out.

The plains between Naabi, Hidden Valley and Ndutu are covered with wildebeest and the valleys surrounding the marsh areas are full. Unconfirmed reports of large numbers up round Barafu and Gol Kopjes and right out to Kakesio and Kusini. 

It's difficult to get a good photo on a flat plain to show the scale of the numbers, so, instead, a photo of the rain clouds, continually dumping rain all around the area.

Cheers
Ainslie

Hi Carel,

The herds have moved quite far south now, with herds between Naabi and Ndutu. Unfortunately, no images or video at this moment in time. 

Thanks and regards,
Joel J Fernandes
Coastal Aviation, Arusha