FULL skies

High summer brings high entertainment to Botswana's Mababe Community Concession and Kazuma Pan.

- SANTON CRONE

The Khwai River glistened in the midday sun as it wound its way east like a lazy python. On a slow patch of water, African Jacanas pranced gingerly along a floating stage of salvinia weeds. Suddenly the leaves parted beneath one of the birds and a hippo rose up, sending the jacana flying. The great beast stared at us, trying to appear threatening despite its comical hat of weeds. Our laugh was cut short as a juvenile Bateleur swooped overhead, followed by a pair of adults. In the distance, a gyre of vultures peppered the sky, so we left the comical hippo and drove towards something that was bound to be more serious.

My guide, Roy, was thrilled to be going after birds for a change. The Big Five are always impressive, but ticking birds is far more interesting, he enthused. As we neared the scene, the smell certainly became interesting. The source was an adult elephant that had probably succumbed to old age. The November heat could have accelerated its demise – it had certainly sped up its decomposition. Of course the heady fragrance was tantalising to vultures and by the time we arrived the elephant’s belly was crowded with birds and bloody beaks. A few Lappet-faced Vultures dominated the table, sending White-backed and Hooded vultures scurrying. Marabou Storks lurked on the periphery and there were at least seven Bateleurs at the scene, some waiting in trees, others flapping overhead and weighing up their chances. Starlings dived in and out among the larger birds to pick up scraps.