Chobe Game Lodge Newsletter, June 2006

General

The average temperatures dropped considerably in June as we moved into the heart of winter. The average morning temperature was 13 °C and afternoon temperatures were around 24 °C on average. The coldest temperature measured was 11 °C, which combined with the wind chill factor on the open game drive vehicles made the morning activities a very chilly affair for the unprepared.

Water Levels

The guides reported that all of the rainwater pools away from the riverfront dried up already and it is only the Sedudu Pan that actually still held a small amount of water. This pan is however drying up very quickly and will probably be completely dry by the end of July. The levels of the Chobe River dropped drastically in the latter three weeks of June and the river is basically back at its normal levels again.

Vegetation

Most of the large fever berry trees (Croton megalobotrys) which occur in abundance in the Chobe region have shed their leaves during June, but a large number of them are still covered in yellow leaves. These trees shed their leaves briefly during the winter and the leaves normally turn bright yellow just before they drop, making for an unusual show of colours in the otherwise dry and dull bush.

Birdlife

As usual, birding in the Chobe National Park is never dull. The dry vegetation now allows easy views of birds and late afternoons seem to be particularly productive. Large flocks of seedeaters tend to concentrate in open patches and on the roads as well. These flocks invariably consist out of emerald spotted doves, green-winged pytilias, blue waxbills as well as common waxbills.

Another factor that enhances the birding in the area is the Chobe River receding at quite a fast rate. This leaves open stretches of muddy floodplains with small pools of water containing stranded populations of crustaceans, aquatic insects and mollusks as well as smaller fish. This of course is like heaven on earth for many species of waders who are letting nothing go to waste.