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WildEarth Fireside Chat - Sunday Night - 7:15pm CAT
November 8, 2009 from 7pm to 7:45pm – WildEarth Camp
WildEarth.TV Blog
News from Operation Migration
As of this morning Operation Migration are on Day 21 of the southward migration and they have already covered 94.4 airmiles. Only 1190.6 miles to go! It really is a mission.
They are planning to do another leg today. If they manage it weather wise (which looks really possible) they'll be ahead of last year by 3 days.Today's leg will put the team in Illinois, and just 55 miles shy of a milestone of 10,000 miles. That's 10,000 miles guiding Whooping Cranes South to their new winter terminus. What an amazing achievement.
After a rocky start when the birds seemed reluctant to follow the trikes, the last two flights have seen all 20 young Whooping cranes eagerly following, and the last migration leg had all of them lined up beautifully behind one ultralight.
As most of you have probably seen the broadcast is intermittent on www.wildearth.tv. This is because they are not broadcasting when the trike is not in the air. However, the weather has improved greatly and the flights are becoming more frequent so keep your eyes on this channel as when it does pop up it is spectacular.
News from Pennsylvania
As you probably know by now Pix Controller have installed a 3rd motion-activated remote camera which is currently setup over an active whitetail scrape. A whitetail scrape is an area a whitetail buck will create by scraping a patch of ground under a small tree usually in a funnel area where other bucks will see it. These act as a way bucks will communicate to each other during the mating season or the rut as it is known. A buck will scent the area by licking the branches above the scrape and urinate in the scrape. Many different bucks will typically visit a scrape site which is a great opportunity to video mature bucks.
The camera they have setup over an active scrape has not produced much to date other that this one hotspot:
However, not too far from this site they did capture this action on one of our motion-activated DVR systems this past week:
Pix Controller believe this is the first time an active scrape has been broadcast over the Internet LIVE. They have the ability to move this 3rd remote camera to another scrape site in hopes to see some better action before this phase of the mating season ends in about 3 weeks.
Another rather interesting find on their camera was two sightings of a whitetail doe with deformed hooves.Her hooves are unusually long which is caused by too much protein in her diet. Bill says that he has never seen this before, but has seen photos of this on the Internet. She has made two appearances to the main camera. They were able to capture some great footage and zoom the camera in for a better look at her hooves. (see attached photo)
Lastly, they have viewed some interesting groundhog behavior on the main camera. They witnessed groundhogs feeding at night last year, but when they were able to capture a hotspot and show a local wildlife expert he was amazed to see this. Groundhogs are not known to be nocturnal since they do not have eyes which can see in the dark very well. However, what we are seeing appears to be groundhogs feeding as much as they can before hibernation. Here is one of the video clips captured:
They also captured a couple clips of groundhog fighting over food area. This appears to be several groundhogs defending their territory.
Operation Migration - The Dreaded Weather
Everything was going so well. There was an extended period of perfect flying conditions and everything seemed to be running smoothly. Once the three groups of birds have learned to fly they are then brought together to make one flock. Once together they must organise themselves into a hierarchy before they can carry on. This entails a lot of pecking and bullying but finally each bird finds its place and the flock is ready. However this year, the heavens opened during the mixing of the last cohort. They need a lot of good weather and flight practicing before there is unity in the air and this year they have not flown for what seems like weeks due to rain and heavy winds.
The bad weather has forced the team to look at a variety of difficult decisions. The birds are fast becoming sedentary and reluctant to leave the pen. When they go out to practice the winds are so strong that the aircraft cannot slow down to wait for the bird and often birds turn back for the pen. They just want the comfort of the wet pen with lots of food. The team now have to work out whether they should carry on this negative training in bad weather or risk crating them to the first stop over. Crating can be dangerous for the birds and will also make them wary of the men dressed in white who pack them into the crates. After avidly watching the forecast and seeing no break in this terrible weather they decided to box eight of the birds and send them to the refuge.
The next question is whether to box the birds that they think will turn back and therefore disrupt the flock and box them to stopover two? This will at least ensure that the ones who are likely to make it will have the best chances and they can start to rebuild the flock. However, as mentioned crating is dangerous and is it worth doing damage to the birds who are already reluctant to follow the aircraft?
It is such a disappointing start to a very long and challenging journey. However, the bad weather can't last forever and WE are rooting for their success. Keep watching www.wildearth.tv for their broadcasts. They are few and far between at the moment which is why they do not show up on the portal. However, the camera is on the trike and when they are in the air the shots are fantastic.
Update on the Pix Controller Wildlife Webcam
The PixController wildlife webcam recently has been updated with Hotspots. This has been a great addition to the camera as it allows people to view videos clips of action they missed during the day. This coupled with the addition of an upgraded and better PTZ camera they've been able to capture some amazing fall action in Western Pennsylvania. Some of the video clips captured include several nice whitetail bucks and does as well as groundhogs, mourning doves, various song birds, and raccoons. With the new PTZ camera they are able to zoom in and follow the animals around like you have seen on the African cameras.Here is a red fox licking the salt lick.
Here is a red fox peeing on the salt block at night.
Some of the more interesting clips include two small whitetail bucks sparring and one 2 1/2 year old whitetail buck chasing doe around in the morning. These are signs of the whitetail mating season which is just getting underway. Another interesting clip captured was a groundhog feeding at night, which they typically do not do. Groundhogs will only feed at night as winter approaches in order to prepare for hibernation. Last year was the first time they saw this behavior since groundhog have very small eyes which are not meant for nocturnal use. The interesting thing about this video clip was watching the groundhog feed with the raccoons. There was a little spat between the two species and the groundhog puffed himself up and stood his ground against this predator.
They also are pleased to announce the addition of yet another remote motion-activated camera which will come on-line very soon. This is in addition to the remote motion-activated carcass camera due to come on-line in about a month. This next remote camera will be placed on an active whitetail scraping site, which is used during the rut or mating season. Scraping sites are typically found under small trees and are 2' to 4' in diameter which a whitetail buck will create during this time period. Bill Powers from Pix Controller has been filming scraping sites for about 8 years now with their motion-activated video systems. What they've seen is that much of what has been written about scraping sites does not follow with what they have captured on video. These sites present a wonderful opportunity to see some very mature whitetail bucks which typically are very elusive throughout the year. Being able to broadcast this action live over the Internet will be a first of it's kind.
Whooping Crane Migration
The migration itself is an incredibly hard mission to make. It is 1285 miles and covers seven states of America. They will be using four ultralight aircraft each weighing 365 pounds. There will be five pilots and altogether fourteen people in the migration team from the US and Canada. It is important to note that they are at the mercy of mother nature, they need ideal conditions to fly. There needs to be moderate wind, no rain and ideally cold air. Birds fly much better in cooler air. They will use the network of as many as 26 stop overs pre -established along the migration route. This year Operation Migration will log their 10000th air mile. WE and Operation Migration invite you to give a WHOOP and help us celebrate this incredible achievement. http://www.operationmigration.org/GAWlandingpage.html
Also for the first time ever this year there will be a camera on the aircraft. This will bring views never before been seen of these beautiful birds in flight as they guide them to their new winter home and survival of the species. CraneCam will provide LIVE views from the ground and you can watch it on www.wildearth.tv.
The migration will take off very soon so keep your eyes on the Operation Migration Channel so that you can join them.
WildEarth Tweets
WildEarth: sandypatch female lion now live on #wildearth
WildEarth: sandypatch female lion now live on #wildearthWildEarth: herd of elephants live on #wildearth
WildEarth: herd of elephants live on #wildearthWildEarth: z for zebra live on #wildearth
WildEarth: z for zebra live on #wildearthWildEarth: happy kudu after some rain live on #wildearth
WildEarth: happy kudu after some rain live on #wildearthWildEarth: WE are live on our PM game drive with Rex,Marc,Herman live on #wildearth
WildEarth: WE are live on our PM game drive with Rex,Marc,Herman live on #wildearthWildEarth: Watch warthog live @www.wildearth .tv
WildEarth: Watch warthog live @www.wildearth .tvWildEarth: is in Namibia and will see you again at WildEarth after the 21st of November. Have a fantastic day! http://bit.ly/4amUuG
WildEarth: is in Namibia and will see you again at WildEarth after the 21st of November. Have a fantastic day! http://bit.ly/4amUuGWildEarth: Watch leopard and buffalo at gorwie dam live on #wildearth
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WildEarth: Watch hippo and leopard live on #wildearthWildEarth Flickr pictures
Mapogos can be flat cats
secretgarden1(pat) has added a photo to the pool:
AM Drive 11/08/09
Marc/Herman
beautiful Sandy Patch lioness & cub
secretgarden1(pat) has added a photo to the pool:
AM Drive 11/08/09
Marc/Herman
Mapogos on a buffalo kill
secretgarden1(pat) has added a photo to the pool:
AM Drive 11/08/09
Marc/Herman
Mapogos!
secretgarden1(pat) has added a photo to the pool:
Mr. T & Kinky Tail
AM Drive 11/08/09
Marc/Herman
WE share the moom with Marc video
secretgarden1(pat) has added a video to the pool:
click image to play
Thanks, Marc!
11/06/09
Pieter swims at Buffelshoek Dam video
secretgarden1(pat) has added a video to the pool:
keeping his promise to the viewers
batteries freeze at the end
click image to play
AM Drive 11/06/09
Pieter appears at Gowrie Dam :)
secretgarden1(pat) has added a photo to the pool:
Pieter at Buffelshoek Dam overlayed shot at Gowrie Dam---thanks, Lieschen!
AM Drive 11/6/09
Pieter/Herman
Pieter keeps a promise
secretgarden1(pat) has added a photo to the pool:
Pieter swims across Buffelshoek Dam
AM Drive 11/06/09
Pieter/Herman
WE met up with Mixo
secretgarden1(pat) has added a photo to the pool:
AM Drive 11/06/09
Pieter/Herman
WildEarth tagged videos on YouTube
Hippo surfing, Surf in South Africa
Author: pocke7
Keywords: wildearth wildearth.tv we hippo hereon flusspferd graurheiher
Added: November 8, 2009
5/30/08 WildEarth pm BEHIND THE SCENES Video #2
Author: slingggirl
Keywords: WildEarth Djuma LIVE Game Drive
Added: May 30, 2008
05/30/08 WildEarth pm BEHIND THE SCENES Video#1
Author: slingggirl
Keywords: WildEarth Djuma LIVE Game Drive
Added: May 30, 2008
Cape Buffalo Calf 5/3/08 AM Drive
Author: wvkll
Keywords: buffalo WildEarth SouthAfrica
Added: May 2, 2008
Lioness Pt.1
Author: banditt066
Keywords: WildEarth wildlife Africa cat lioness live game drive nature
Added: April 21, 2008
White Rhino's Pt.1
Author: banditt066
Keywords: WildEarth wildlife Africa white rhino live safari nature
Added: April 14, 2008
April 3, 2008 WildEarth p.m. Drive Video #1 elephants
Author: slingggirl
Keywords: WildEarth live drive Djuma SouthAfrica WE elephant bird
Added: April 3, 2008
040208 WildEarth p.m. Drive Eagle Owl, clouds
Author: slingggirl
Keywords: WildEarth live drive WE Djuma EagleOwl
Added: April 2, 2008
WildEarth Karula 15th March 08 Part 1
Author: uniicornspirit
Keywords: South African Wild Animals
Added: March 19, 2008
Forum
Nov. 8th 2009 - Cam Sightings Discussion 2 Replies
Started by Valorie (Moderator) in Cam Sightings Discussions. Last reply by Andreas 1 hour ago.
Comments and Questions about New Flash Stream 163 Replies
Started by Karen-inVA (Moderator) in Questions to WildEarth. Last reply by Patricia Campbell (luvthebirds) 4 hours ago.
Happy Birthday, Pete! 15 Replies
Started by Valorie (Moderator) in General Chat Forum. Last reply by Peter Braat 15 hours ago.
Nov. 7th 2009 - Cam Sightings Discussion 1 Reply
Started by Valorie (Moderator) in Cam Sightings Discussions. Last reply by Andreas 1 day ago.
You can send Christmas Cards to the WEcrew... 4 Replies
Started by Wildearth in General Chat Forum. Last reply by Valorie (Moderator) 1 day ago.
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Ingwe Action Blog
UK tour raises some great questions
Some great questions have been raised by University students during my recent lecture tour in the UK, which have focused our thoughts on the direction of the ILP for the next years. Sure, we’re growing rapidly but it’s important to ensure that we focus on our core aims first and foremost. The object of our research is to gather data on the density and behaviour of leopards (and other carnivores) outside of formally protected areas. And why? Well it is in these areas (the largest land mass of South Africa) that leopards are in conflict with humans and in these areas where they are the last of the big five remaining truly wild.
So how can we conserve the dwindling leopard population. As said, first we need data, but also we need to develop wildlife management methods and techniques. Within this we need to become more than a pure research project and tackle some of the other issues. Education is undoubtedly a major factor. We need to get the message across in the right way. But we also need to develop and employ pragmatic management solutions. We will need a holding facility to temporarily detain problem animals, sufficient to give us time to ensure that any relocation does not compromise the genetic dynamics of an area and importantly that we do not create a problem in that area. Whether that be with local livestock, people, or other leopards.
All of this will mean we need more staff. Dedicated people who have a passion for wildlife conservation. We’ll also need more funding. But here is where we can offer something a little different. We want to create an ILP membership scheme (say$8 annual fee). However rather then just ask for a membership fee, in return we want to offer something more than a badge or membership card. Membership will then entitle folks to a 10% discount off an African Conservation Safari. As with everything we do, we look to our friends to give us their input and feedback, so if you have any thoughts on this concept then I'd love to hear from you.
Written by Will Fox
Honey Badgers - You have to love them
Finally we have some news on our Honey Badger project. As you may know we have been holding two troublesome honey badgers, that were killing Geese on a farm and removed before they could get into even deeper trouble. Of-course we have been waiting for permits but (in this case), that is no bad thing. It has provided time for the badgers to loose their homing instinct to that farm (otherwise they would just head home and into more trouble). It's also given us time to arrange for tracking equipment. In this regard, we took lots of advice from badger specialists before deciding on a two pronged approach to tracking these animals that roam in very large areas.
Firstly, one of the badgers had a radio transceiver implant yesterday (unobtrusive low range device placed under the skin by a vet), and second they will each be given VHF collars before release. Of-course with such tenacious animals the collars won't last long before the badgers have destroyed and discarded them, but by that time we hope to have logged their new home range and have an idea of where to find them. Thereafter the implant (which has only a small range) will help us to monitor the badgers for the next year or so and gather much needed data on Honey Badgers living outside of formally protected area's. You've heard it before, but these are the area's where all carnivores at the biggest and imminent risk from human conflict. So we very much hope that these two will be only the first of many, so that our study results can hep formulate pragmatic conservation policies.
For now, the badgers will be monitored at Moholoholo wildlife rehabilitation centre for another twelve days and then we'll release them into a wild area. Where we hope they'll stay out of trouble. Yea I know, fat chance of that. Badgers just seem to look for trouble. I have to be honest, it's why I love them.
Written by Will Fox
© 2009 Created by Graham Wallington
