The mara is now set for a lean season both in terms of visitors population and animals concentration. The wildebeests are now heading back into northern Serengeti after what we considered a great migration season. There two things that happened around teh migration this year; one was the early arrival fo the wildebeests in June, this was unusaul compaerd to the recent years. The other thing was mass drowning. There were so man,y deaed wildebeests this year, that died from drowning. I noted that they tried crossing in some unusual place i.e. upstream from Cul de sac crossing on the Mara river. The bank of the river at this particular spot was so high they could not climb out on the second side, resulting in mass deaths from trampling on each other. It happened mainly when the animals were crossing over to the west side from paradise crossing. The crossings this year too, were great. You can refer to my earlier post for pictures taken at these crossings which marked teh highlight of the migration.
All the lion prides in the Mara have enjoyed a peak feeding season. There were kills almost every day. I followed the marsh pride of lions around musiara, while with the BBC filming crew, for one month and at one point saw four kills from the same position. It all happened around our filming car at night and we were able to catch some action on infrared camera. The Mogoro pride on teh Mara triangle at one time killed 19 wildebeests in a a few days. They had position them sleves at the crossings and would wait for crossing animals which provided them with easy prey.
I have had a great season too with the leopards on the Talek. I spent time with Olive and her two males cubs. I aslo saw the Rhino ridge male and Binti. Olive who has been heavily pregnant is thought to have given birth, but i will confirm full once the cubs have been sighted. There is the cheetah with her 6 young cubs now along the Talek river, i have seen her dangerously walking her tiny cubs past a pride of lions. I hope she manages to bring the cubs up successfully.
Update of sightings in the Mara the past 2 months
This year we saw the highest concentration of wildebeest especially at the marsh
There were many frustrating moments at the crossing waiting for the animals
Big storms were a commons feature in the afternoons, unusual for september
With the BBC filming crew and presenter Jonathan scot after a ballooon ride
The female cheetah of 6, playing with them
Many photographic opportunties
I spent one month with the marsh pride: here White eye with the some of teh pride females
Romeo puts up a show for one of the pride females
Once in a while there were great morning
Many Serval cat sighitngs
The 6 cheetah cubs have been amazing!
Notch and sons ( Photo by JP)
Olive's male cub Pacha
Had bit of night scenes
4 comments:
Paul thanks thanks for this update and the wonderful photos from the animals. I am happy.
Best regards from Germany, Dani.
Great update, Paul.
Thanks for sharing ;-)
Hi Paul,
what a nice report you have put together here. I have had the opportunity to join Jonathan Scott in the trip at Rekero 2 weeks ago. I have not come across ou in the Mara, what a pity, it would be a opportunity to meet you in person.
The mom cheetah Shingo with the 6 cubs are amazing to see, we saw her chasing and killing a tommy just before nigh fall, was a great sighting.
So looks like BBC crew is filming on the Mara Triangle side this time. Are they giving up of the main BCD characters or are they just following Notch there?
If you can, please give us more updates on that...
We saw Clawed, the oldest male of the Marsh Pride. He is almost finished, he was bad and limping of a hind leg. Have you seen him? Looks like he is on his last few days...please let us know if youhear anything else about him.
Cheers,
Cassio.
How are honeys cubs?
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