Life Wonderings of a Nature Lover: October 2020 Sitamani Country Diary
November 1, 2020
Last October we only had 37.5mm of rain, this year the total rainfall for the month is 129mm, almost 100mm more! Being optimistic I had planted out the vegetable garden in the middle of October and it has been worth it, seedlings appearing and in the last few days seem to grow visibly! Over the 30 and 31 October we have had 46.5mm of rain. The coldest morning was on the 11th, 4C and the warmest day on the 28th and 29th October, 29C. As the ground moistened wildflowers started appearing in greater abundance, with some, for me, unusual species seen.
Friday 9 October:
To my delight I spotted an Emperor Swallowtail, Papilio ophidicephalus, feeding on Jasmine flowers.
Monday 12 October:
Although Swee Waxbills, a fairly common endemic, are around all year, they are very ‘shy’ and this is the first time I’ve managed to take photos, not great, but a record.
Swee WaxbillsSwee WaxbillsIt was a misty morning after a shower during the previous night
Wednesday 14 October:
I hadn’t observed this species, Euphorbia striata, here before, though have seen other Euphorbia species here
Thursday 15 October:
During October there have been many Ladybird beetles on the wing, this one came indoors, and is not one of the alien species usually seen.
Saturday 17 October:
Soft predawn light in the haze.
Sunday 18 October:
I managed to spend time wandering our hillside, finding a wealth of flowers and other natural discoveries.
Acalypha glandulifolia, maleLedebouria sp.Hebenstretia duraA Grass funnel-web spider webHelichrysum cephaloideumHelichrysum cephaloideumKniphofia bracystachyaKniphofia bracystachyaEriosema kraussianumGebera ambiguaAcalypha glandulifolia, femaleA bee laden with pollen and Oxyopidae, Lynx spider, on Senecio macrocephalusSenecio macrocephalusOxyopidae, Lynx spider, possibly Peucetia on Senecio macrocephalusSisyranthus trichostomusRed Grass, Themeda triandraTulbaghia leucanthaTulbaghia leucanthaSpiral unfurling of a new leaf, Common Tree Fern, Cythea dregeiAnemone fanniniiAspidonepsis diplogossaHermannia woodiiLedebouria cooperiTwig Wilter, Holopterna sp.Twig Wilter, Holopterna sp.Olive ThrushSpeckled Pigeons, who are raising two fledglingsA dark velvety spider, possibly Ctenus cornigerPsammotropha mucronataMoraea graminicolaMonopsis decipiensHelichrysum aureumA bagworm on Helichrysum aureumA beautiful, elegant, striped GrasshopperGladiolus longicollisDwarf Everlasting, Helichrysum chionoshaerumAn unusual FungiHibiscus aethiopicusDwarf Spikethorn, Gymnosporia unifloraDwarf Spikethorn, Gymnosporia unifloraSchizoglossum flavum, I think it is the first time I’ve observed this hereSchizoglossum flavumAlbuca pachychlamys, unfurling spiral of budsPolygala virgataPolygala virgataTulbaghia ludwigiana, definitely a first observationTulbaghia ludwigianaEriosema salignum, orange formEriosema salignum, yellow formSoap Aloe, Aloe maculata, seed podsRaphionacme hirsutaPachycarpus natalensisDrimia elataCaterpillar Grass, Harpochloa falxRumex woodii, the flowers are tiny, more visible later in the season are the red ‘paper heart’ seeds
Common or Cabbage Tree Emperor moth, Bunaea alcinoe
Wednesday 28 October:
Once again, I saw an Emperor Swallowtail, Papilio ophidicephalus, rather battered, possibly the same one seen earlier in OctoberEvening light after the storm
Thursday 29 October:
Family Megachilidae, Leafcutting and Mason bees, possibly a Mason bee, Megachile sp.
Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October:
Rain and more glorious rain!
During the month Greater Striped Swallows have returned, I heard the distinctive call of a Black Cuckoo and had several sightings of the Common Grey Duiker and a male, female and juvenile Common Reedbuck.
The rain is incredible, still falling now! I’d seen the Tulbagia l only once before, but not here so exciting! You are welcome to come and see the Gymnosporia uniflora, the little flowers are too dear. xxx
The rain is incredible here too – especially welcome after several days in the high 30s in the past few weeks. We used to go walking regularly in forest and grassland patches in the Midlands, but have not done so since the advent of the pandemic, so I really loved seeing your photos of the diversity of grassland species. So wonderful all those spring flowers.
So pleased that you enjoyed sharing the magic Carol! I’m always amazed at the resilience of our indigenous forbes and how different species respond to the changing weather patterns. It rained most of yesterday and on and off during the night, such a beautiful sound! xxx
So much lovely rain! Exciting about the Tulbaghia. I have never seen a Gymnosporia uniflora before.
The rain is incredible, still falling now! I’d seen the Tulbagia l only once before, but not here so exciting! You are welcome to come and see the Gymnosporia uniflora, the little flowers are too dear. xxx
The rain is incredible here too – especially welcome after several days in the high 30s in the past few weeks. We used to go walking regularly in forest and grassland patches in the Midlands, but have not done so since the advent of the pandemic, so I really loved seeing your photos of the diversity of grassland species. So wonderful all those spring flowers.
So pleased that you enjoyed sharing the magic Carol! I’m always amazed at the resilience of our indigenous forbes and how different species respond to the changing weather patterns. It rained most of yesterday and on and off during the night, such a beautiful sound! xxx