Observer
kangwaneDescription
Only locality within the Mlawula/Mbuluzi/Ndzindza PA complex during the period of reporting. Confined to the upper parts of a small south-facing moist thicket.
Date incorrect.
Photos / Sounds
What
Painted Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus picturatus)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Fairly common on trees
What
Warren's Girdled Lizard (Smaug warreni)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Several specimens seen in a rocky area SE of Khabane Cave, Mlawula Nature Reserve. This one collected, with Transvaal Museum?
What
Common Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ssp. ellipsiprymnus)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Waterbuck were abundant in the area of Umbuluzi Estates west of the Simunye-Maphiveni road; largest grouping ever seen was 22, but after the area west of the road was put under sugar, most waterbuck shifted their ranges east onto Mbuluzi Nature Reserve. In the early 1980s their numbers were roughly estimated at around 50. Their numbers were impacted by heavy traffic along the road to Mlawula Station, poaching and heavy tick loads. These are the last wild in situ waterbuck in Swaziland, although a very successful relocation was made to IYSIS.
What
Subtropical Moustache Orchid (Aerangis mystacidii)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Collected at a single locality, where it was fairly abundant, in a seasonally moist forest on upper Ndzindza. Culverwell 520(PRE).
Date incorrect.
What
Rope Orchid (Microcoelia exilis)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Rare epiphyte known from a single locality within the Conservancy, in seasonally moist forest at the head of a ravine on upper Ndzindza Nature Reserve in the Lubombo Mountains. Culverwell 521(PRE).
Date incorrect.
Observer
kangwaneDescription
Found this sparsely, at two localities within Mlawula/Ndzindza nature reserves. No specimen taken, but these were photographed. Date approximate.
What
Water Fern (Ceratopteris thalictroides)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Collections: PRE - Ceratopteris cornuta: Siphiso valley, Sibayi pools, edge of seasonal pool. Culverwell JC 95 (date incorrect, will insert)
Specimen Braun KP 539 Siphiso valley, Sibayi pools, edge of seasonal pool - not known if same locality.
Extremely uncommon in region, only record in the Conservancy.
What
African Pygmy-Goose (Nettapus auritus)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Several birds of both sexes were unusually found on a dam on the farm Killarney in central Swaziland, west of what was accepted as their normal distribution.
What
Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)Observer
kangwaneDescription
12 birds photographed at the impoundment known locally as Maphiva Dam. This remains my only observation of the species in that part of Swaziland.
What
Eastern White-bearded Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus ssp. albojubatus)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Several animals.
What
Eastern and Southern Side-striped Jackal (Lupulella adusta ssp. adusta)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Litter of Side-striped jackal pups found in a drain under a road in canefields, Umbuluzi Estates. They were raised and then released (themselves) onto Mbuluzi North.
What
Eastern Aardwolf (Proteles septentrionalis)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Single animal on the flats west of Lion's Bluff Lodge, at sunset.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sharpe's Grysbok (Raphicerus sharpei)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Single animal seen, flushed from a thicket on the Lubombos above Mlawula Station. Very seldom seen in Swaziland.
What
Eastern and Southern Side-striped Jackal (Lupulella adusta ssp. adusta)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Single animal, cloudy morning.
What
Southern Reedbuck (Redunca arundinum)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Common reedbuck survived in very low numbers on one section of Umbuluzi Estates until the early 1980s, in a drainage line between sugar canefields. This was the last individual seen, dead from unknown causes.
What
Southern Oribi (Ourebia ourebi ssp. ourebi)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Single and small groups of oribi were fairly common on the higher areas of the Lubombos at least until the late 1980s. It is suspected that the Lubombo populations might be extinct as a result of hunting. These sightings are recorded here to confirm their (former) existence.
Photos / Sounds
What
Blue Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Small troop in mixed dry thicket close to Androstachys johnsoni dry forest, at low elevation close to the Mbuluzi River. Date to be confirmed.
Photos / Sounds
What
Blue Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis)Observer
kangwaneDescription
Small troop below the old "Blue Jay cottage" (now derelict), in the 1970s. Date to be confirmed. Records from the Swazi Lubombos are very uncommon.