The birds are back in town...

As we hit November the ever increasing temperatures on Venetia are making it clear that summer has arrived with force. With summer comes the return of the many migratory bird species we’re lucky enough to find on the reserve. Of the 421 bird species on Venetia (an astonishing number given that the Kruger National Park, over 66 times the size of Venetia boasts over 500 different species), 84 are summer visitors. Many species, like the broad-billed roller (Eurystomus glaucurus) are intra-African migrants, moving south from countries in the north of Africa. Others such as the wood sandpiper (Tringa glareola) are known as palearctic migrants, globetrotters of the bird world making the long flight between continents each year.

Whilst we continue to have great visuals of the lion pride, this last week has seen several “lifers” for the staff, my highlight so far being the violet-backed starling (Cinnyricinclus leucogaster).

Julie Kern

Science Officer

Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve

The birds are back in town...