Unusual Sightings: Birds at Chitabe
The latest edition of Wilderness Safaris‘ “Unusual Sightings” comes to us from Grant Atkinson and Helena Faasen:
Location: Chitabe Camp, Chitabe Concession, Botswana
Date: 27 October 2009
Observers: Grant Atkinson and Helena Faasen
The 2009 high water levels in the Okavango Delta are now a thing of the past. One result of this year’s big flood is the exciting bird watching opportunities that are currently possible as thousands of fish become trapped by the receding waters.
These fish are a magnet for many species of water birds, and on a recent visit to Chitabe Camp we got to experience some of the action associated with these so-called “fish traps.” Instead of viewing birds just flying overhead, or standing somewhere, the fish traps bring many species together and the interaction that occurs between them is fascinating.
Forced into close proximity with one another, the birds compete, cooperate, fight and steal from one another. The particular pool that we spent most time at near Chitabe was dominated for a while by a pair of Saddle-billed Storks. The pair were happy to share the pool with several smaller species of birds, but objected to the later presence of a flock of Yellow-billed Storks and some Pink-backed Pelicans, that joined in on the action. For almost an hour the two Saddle-billed Storks chased all the other storks and pelicans away, but eventually they either grew tired of the effort, or else they had caught enough fish for themselves.
Also seen was the interesting mantling behaviour of Black Heron and African Spoonbills with their peculiar feeding action working the shallower areas.
The birding action that we have observed will be happening all over the Okavango Delta over the next few months, and it will last until the annual floodwaters arrive and once again bring the sanctuary of deep water to all the beleaguered fish species.
