Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: December 2016 Sitamani Country Diary
Sultry hot days with thunderstorms have produced a vivid green landscape, however there has not been enough rain to raise the water table significantly; although there is water in the well it is a fraction of what is usually there in December.
Clouds obscured the full moon rise; however early the next morning it was visible through scudding clouds.
Summer solstice was a glorious day, ending in a beautiful sunset.
Already many grasses are seeded, the red tinge of Themeda triandra softening the green.
There are still many wildflowers in bloom, some that I saw were:
Agapanthus campanulatus;
Aristea woodii;
Berkheya setifera;
Clutia monticola fruit;
Craterocapsa tarsodes, which I usually associate with the mountains grows here too on rocky clay patches;
Dipcadi viride;
Epilobium capense seeds;
Gladiolus ecklonii;
Haemanthus humilis;
Lobelia erinus;
four orchids,
Eulophia hians var. nutans;
Eulophia ovalis var. bainesii;
Eulophia zeyheriana
and Satyrium longicauda;
Papaver aculeatum;
Pelargonium luridum;
Rubus ludwigii;
Senecio subrubriflorus;
Strigia bilabiata
and Zantedeschia albomaculata.
An unusual fungi was growing in stone gravel.
In the lush foliage I found some delightful insects:
two Bee Fly species,
a Foam Grasshopper
and a lucky sighting of a Giant Forest Cicada!
Most mornings the birds find the night flying moths before I do, but I did see a few,
including the wings of a Wounded Emperor, Neobunaeopsis arabella;
then a rather spectacular first for me, a day flying moth,
a Superb False Tiger, Heraclia sp. which at first I thought must be a butterfly!
After a misty night I saw a water-beaded spider web.
Long-crested Eagles catch thermals between waiting and watching patiently from perches.
Two discarded eggshells, one from a Spectacled Weaver
and the second from a Village Weaver prove that some of the nests were acceptable.
The Striped Swallows have selected a new site to build a nest, I hope this one works out. A pair of Cape Wagtails have recently taken up residence in the garden. Occasionally I hear Spotted Eagle-Owls calling at dusk and dawn.
One morning I discovered a newly excavated Antbear hole, as it was in the middle of the driveway we had to fill it in.
Sadly I will have to live-trap and relocate the Lesser Savanna Dormice that have taken up residence in the house; a hole in a carpet, wooly slippers and clothing where they have selected bedding material, and they devour any food left out…
Drawers are their favoured places to make nests. I love their chirrups as they move through the house and occasional sightings as they scurry across the floor and furniture.
So sorry that your mice have to find a new home. I can’t believe my luck – the multiple rat families that have been living with me (and causing havoc) for the past couple of years have vanished! No idea why. It is fabulous to be able to have fruit in my fruit bowl again and my stationery drawer not turned into a nest all the time – so I do understand your predicament. Good luck with the relocation.
Very reluctant Nikki… Maybe I should just wait like you did 😉