| |
|
 |
| |
Welcome to 2009! |
|
| |
|
|
| |
■ Rhino Poaching continues to increase! |
|
| |
|
|
| |
■ Roger’s Bird Talk: The spectacular Swallow |
|
| |
|
|
| |
■Property Section: " Finding your blank spot on the map"
Check out Desroches Island, Isibindi Africa Lodges Group and Finest Wildlife Property we have on offer |
|
| |
|
|
| |
■Please note that our email addresses have changed. In future, please contact: peter@awpsa.co.za shaun@awpsa.co.za
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
Rhino poaching still on the increase!
Johannesburg - There has been a dramatic increase in rhinoceros-poaching in South Africa, with at least 76 animals recorded killed last year, according to the environment ministry.
The true figure was believed to be far higher, the Saturday Star reported. It said 37 rhinoceros were shot in the Kruger National Park alone, while only ten were shot countrywide the previous year.
The well-organised poaching gangs were said to be using automatic weapons and taking advantage of legal loopholes in order to trade the animal's horn, which is prized as a potency agent in Asian countries.
Source to read more
http://www.news24.com/News24/Technology/News/0,,2-13-1443_2451276,00.html |
|
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
| |
|
The Barn Swallow (Hirundo Rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world and is identified by its "blue upperparts, a long and deeply forked tail with curved and pointed wings". Furthermore, the chin has a russet patch aligned with a thin blue line underneath and across its throat. When one sees a Swallow up close, one will notice that the beak is exceptionally small relative to the size of the bird. This allows for streamlined flight which enables the bird to out-manoeuvre its prey, namely: soft-bodied flying insects.
The image below depicts a Wire-tailed Swallow feeding its two young. This large mouth which is normally tucked underneath its chin and generally well hidden is in fact required to get this large to catch flying prey on which it feeds.
|
Lesser striped Swallow |
Wired-tailed Swallow feeding fledglings
|
This tiny fascinating bird loves the open country with little vegetation and nearby water. These insect-feeding birds generally use man-made structures to breed and generally prefer nesting in barns, stables and under bridges which provide security, warmth and ideal perching sites.
The Barn Swallow's diet generally consists of insects caught in flight; alternatively they will scoop up insects from about 7 metres above water and/or ground as well as off walls and other flat surfaces. This scooping up of water and insects lead to the belief during the dark ages that these birds hibernated under the mud in ponds as opposed to migrating south at the onset of winter. |
The male Barn Swallow returns to the breeding grounds before the female in a quest to select an ideal nesting site. Once the nesting site is selected the male Swallow proceeds, in a flirtatious and proud manner, to advertise the site to the female with a persuasive circling flight and song. The breeding success of the male is related and slightly dependant on the length of the tail streamers (long outer tail feathers), with longer streamers being more attractive to the female.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swallow-
|
___________________________________________________________________________________
More about Swallows...
|
|
|
Swallows of Mt Moreland: East Coast KwaZulu Natal
The first Barn swallows arrived on the 29th September 2008 and now approximately 3 million barn swallows fill the sunset sky, turning it from a warm yellow to an astonishing thick cloud of grey.
Between Mid - October until Mid- April, these Barn swallows can be witnessed 45 minutes before sunset at Mount Moreland , KwaZulu Natal - said to be an 'awesome sight' attracting tourists by the hundreds. |
 |
"They fly around together and as their numbers grow to the point at which the sky turns dark, they begin to move in huge and majestic formations, like massive storm waves going around in circles. Suddenly, as if a command was given by God, they dive down into the wetland reeds disappearing from view. Within a minute or so, all of these hundreds of thousands of birds get swallowed up by the reeds." Read More |
Top images:Derick Van Zyl
Below images: Angie Wilken
Source: Mount Moreland Swallow Phenomenon
http://www.durban.gov.za/durban/government/munadmin/media/cmn/20060410swallows/view
http://www.imaginedurban.org/index.php/Environmentally-Sustainable-City/Barn-Swallows-of-Mt-Moreland.html
For more information, contact: Ted Vickers (031) 568 1617
This event takes place 45 minutes before sunset
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
Own an exclusive villa on Desroches Island, Seychelles
|
|
• Last units available in the Desroches Island development
• Desroches is an island with 16km of pristine beaches, incredible marine life, superb fishing, snorkelling & diving
• Villa are 440m² in size, fully furnished by White & White with Mandy Langebrink Interiors
• Villa includes 4 en-suite bedrooms, pool deck, private pool, lounge, kitchen
& dining room, bicycles & kayaks
• Each Villa situated on 2500m² of land with 60 year tenure, option to renew to 90 years
• Euro earning rental pool by linking with Desroches Island Lodge
• Desroches Island is a 30 minute flight from Mahé on daily schedule
• Seychelles residency available
• Purchase price for a fully furnished villa is US$2,45m with a maximum of four owners in a syndicate
• One villa is looking for one 50% partner
For more information, contact Peter or Shaun and www.desrochesvillas.com
|
| |
| Invest in or partner with Isibindi Africa Lodges Group |
|
 |
|
|
Isibindi Africa Lodges represents a diverse collection of travel products in some of the most sought after national protected areas in South Africa.
A combination of marine, terrestrial and cultural tourism hotspots make up this successful offering which enjoys good local and international support. Two of the lodges incorprated in the Isibindi Africa Lodges Group appear in a world heritage site and two in the internationally acclaimed Kruger National Park.
For further information, contact Peter or Shaun or call 011 656 2041
www.andersonwildlifeproperties.co.za
|
Africa's Finest Wildlife Properties |
|
|
|
|
Situated within the Thornybush Game Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park, opportunity to own a luxury tented lodge offering the potential for a life-style change and unsurpassed quality and superb Big 5 game viewing with 1000 ha traversing rights!
For further information, contact Peter or Shaun or call 011 656 2041 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
