It has been a brilliant start to the spring, and summer has settled in true Zululand fashion. The days are getting longer, warmer and typically more humid as the year progresses. The rainy season has started early and rainfall since August has been almost half the annual quota, (280mm out of a yearly average of 650mm). The vegetation has transformed into lush green hillsides, valleys and woodlands. Food is in abundance for all species and some, particularly birds, make the long journey from Europe, North Africa, Asia, the Middle East and northern Arabia every year to utilize these prime habitats.
Migration in birds is an annual occurrence where an estimated five hundred million birds fly vast distances, some from breeding grounds where they originate to non breeding areas here in South Africa to "over winter" here as the food sources diminish, or freeze over in the countries they inhabit. This amazing feat usually takes place in spring when most arrive, and in late summer or early autumn after gorging on the bountiful food supply, they begin the long journey back home.
The various species navigate in different ways. Some use solar navigation, astro navigation, the earth's magnetic field or just by observing the landscape and its features. These birds need to know at any given time what position the sun or constellations should be in, and adjust their course accordingly. There are many theories to support the various methods they use to navigate, but the most amazing feats are the flights undertaken by some of the smallest species. The palearctic warblers who, after fattening themselves up in their homelands undertake a trip from breeding grounds in Europe, Asia and Alaska of distances up to 13000km! Being diurnal birds in areas where they originate, amazingly their migration begins an hour or two after sunset and by observing the stars begin their perilous journey to feeding grounds here in South Africa. By the time they arrive here they have lost up to almost two thirds their bodyweight and settle almost emaciated to replenish their fat supplies for the long trek home at the end of the season. Some other species such as swallows, and the terns feed along the way and carry on doing what they would normally do except that they are heading south, but the little warblers undertake this journey flying at about 40km/h for six weeks. They are the true masters of the skies.
Migration in birds is an annual occurrence where an estimated five hundred million birds fly vast distances, some from breeding grounds where they originate to non breeding areas here in South Africa to "over winter" here as the food sources diminish, or freeze over in the countries they inhabit. This amazing feat usually takes place in spring when most arrive, and in late summer or early autumn after gorging on the bountiful food supply, they begin the long journey back home.
The various species navigate in different ways. Some use solar navigation, astro navigation, the earth's magnetic field or just by observing the landscape and its features. These birds need to know at any given time what position the sun or constellations should be in, and adjust their course accordingly. There are many theories to support the various methods they use to navigate, but the most amazing feats are the flights undertaken by some of the smallest species. The palearctic warblers who, after fattening themselves up in their homelands undertake a trip from breeding grounds in Europe, Asia and Alaska of distances up to 13000km! Being diurnal birds in areas where they originate, amazingly their migration begins an hour or two after sunset and by observing the stars begin their perilous journey to feeding grounds here in South Africa. By the time they arrive here they have lost up to almost two thirds their bodyweight and settle almost emaciated to replenish their fat supplies for the long trek home at the end of the season. Some other species such as swallows, and the terns feed along the way and carry on doing what they would normally do except that they are heading south, but the little warblers undertake this journey flying at about 40km/h for six weeks. They are the true masters of the skies.
Brent Botha - Head Guide