Another change in the migration

After a brief excitement with the coming back of the wildebeests for a second time this season in the Mara, it is all disappointment now with the herds having changed course over the last few days.

Doing a round the Mara fact finding mission today, I could see that most of the wildebeests were crossing the sand river over to northern Serengeti. The central plains which were teeming with wildebeests last week is now almost empty. The crossing on the Mara river by lookout hill and at paradise crossing point has gone quiet as well. In fact 3 days ago, the was heavy crossing on the Talek, with many wildebeests going north of the river, but the same have made a turn around and now heading south.

There is a sizeable herd though heading into Musiara marsh from the western edge of Rhino ridge. These changes have been caused by the unseasonal rains.

I will keep updating

Map showing current location

 wildebeests crossing the Talek a few days ago

The wildebeests have come back again!

Just three days after I posted on this blog about the exit of the wildebeest from Masai Mara, they made a complete turn around and in full swing came back a second time since July. Although from experience over the past years, I knew they will come back again considering that they left quite early. However, I could imagine it will be that quick.

They have come back, and now the plains around lookout hill, is teeming with thousands of wildebeest. We saw hundreds cross this afternoon over to the triangle and we expect heavy crossing over the next few days. there are also many headed north towards the Talek, where they will cross over heading to Topi plains and Musiara marsh.
So if you are headed this way soon, then it is a great opportunity.

The herds on the plain south west of look out hill overlooking Mara bridge.

The herds spread across the plains to  east.

Change in migration pattern

The migration continued in an unpredictable pattern over the past week. The concentration thinned out towards the end of last week with only a notable concentration witnessed on the central plain south of the Talek gate and on the triangle around the salt lick. Earlier in the week many animals crossed back east by lookout hill which is an indication they are headed for north Serengeti. But some headed to the central plains and these are the herds we are seeing now. Most of the wildebeest which were found by the salt lick started heading south.

The change in the rain pattern has really caused all the changes in the migration trend. The weather over the past month has been like what is normally expected in July, Low temperatures and overcast days. Although it may appear empty now, there is still plenty to see. The big cats are out and about, while the general plains game can also bee see.

The rain stopped three days ago and it appears we are set for the usual September weather of heat and dust.

Current situation

Big herds of wildebeests heading south

Migration late August update

The change in weather pattern has caused confusion in the migration trend in the Mara. The wildebeests stopped crossing the Mara river west onto the Mara triangle and instead moved away from the river completely. Most animals moved back to the marsh in the north and out into the conservancies, Olare-Orok and Mara north. The rest of the herds crossed the Talek river by the end of last week south towards Keekorok, but these ones are now headed back towards the Talek again.

While this is happening in the east, the animals that crossed over the Mara triangle are now crossing back to the east. For the past few days these crossing have been happening at Lookout hill, Paradise crossing point, pump house and near the marsh. We expect this continue over the next week. But we will keep you updated.

 Many of the wildebeests fell prey to the Mara's abundant predators

It has been a season of plenty for the the big cats

 (Paning shot) mother and calf rushes across Olare-Orok river

The herds moves across the grassland towards the river

Migration 2011 update

The migration of wildebeests in the Mara has started in earnest. The Loita population of wildebeests, moved into the Mara, and crossed the river at paradise crossing point one week ago. They crossed from Paradise plains onto Mara triangle. However, they started coming back after a few days.

Generally, the Loita herds have been in teh Mara longer thant any recent years. They left the Mara last November, only to return in February due the the drought. They even went all the way to the river at paradise crossing point an dsome crossed over to the Mara triangle, which is quite unusual. We saw them have calves in the Mara, whereas they would normally have them in the Loita plains.

As of now, there is a concentration of wildebeests around Topi plains, parts of Olare-Orok and Mara North conservancy, and a few are on paradise plains. The southern migration is reported to be around Ikorongo, and grumeti game reserve, with the first herds heading North towards the Mara. Though there is plenty of grass in their way, they are expected to cross the border in another 2-3 weeks, although this can always change.

I will keep you updated

Map of the Serenegti-Mara ecosystem showing the current location of the migrating herds

Some of the wildebeests rests on the plains in Olare-Orok conservancy

Some of the wildebeests with their new calves in the Mara in March this year: Note the effect of he drought on the grass