Waiting for the yellow-billed kites 

September in Zimbabwe, always known as the windy month, is now known as the smoky, hard-to-breathe month.

As smoke engulfs us every day this September, the horizons are indistinct and lost in the grey haze of uncontrolled burning of what are called “self-apportioned plots” on the roadsides and in the grasslands.

Actively protecting the amazing diversity of species in Zimbabwe is crying out for the attention of our leaders.

Read:
Phantom data and vulnerable children
The tragedy of the Kariba ferry
Silent resignation has fallen across Zimbabwe

Bylaws and regulations are already in place but are exposed to the curse of corruption where every official seems to have a price.

While Zimbabwe watches, our wetlands are being built on – in every town and every city.

While Zimbabwe watches, a sea of litter lies on every roadside, town and country, the shame of our nation.

While Zimbabwe watches, the ongoing devastation caused by the mayhem of out-of-control gold mining for the past two-and-half decades is immense.

Uprooted trees, pits, trenches, bare, exposed ground, disturbed water courses and poisoned mud-filled rivers and pools are everywhere.

The impact of all this on countless species is immense.

ADVERTISEMENT

CONTINUE READING BELOW

Ripple effect

The food chain is interrupted: insects, lizards, frogs and fish are being decimated, food for birds is declining and the effect ripples up to other species.

The annual frenzy of clearing and burning every scrap of ground and cutting trees is causing widespread habitat destruction, and the use of pesticides and chemicals is causing secondary poisoning of birds from eating poisoned rodents.

Every day I watch the smoke-filled sky in my home area, looking for the yellow-billed kites.

They used to be common here, intra-African migrants, arriving in late July and August, announcing the arrival of summer.

This late September I haven’t seen any here yet, but memories of times past linger, fresh in my mind. Take a step back in time with me.

What we normally see …

Every year from about mid-August the kites returned and it was a daily highlight to see them circling and wheeling over the grasslands looking for insects.

Using their tails for steering and rapid twisting and turning, it was impossible not to stop and watch, marvelling at their incredible agility.

Swooping down from a height to snatch up a grasshopper or locust, a rodent or lizard, the yellow-billed kites eat on the wing and on a hot summer day we would see them sunbathing, lying in the dust, wings outstretched.

Burning the firebreaks around the farm always attracted the yellow-billed kites, diving into the flames for that one irresistible mouthful, hardly touching the ground, talons at the ready to snag their prey.

ADVERTISEMENT:

CONTINUE READING BELOW

Along the boundary fences on the tar roads the yellow-billed kites were always busy taking scraps from roadkill, cleaning up the casualties of passing vehicles.

Unspoilt areas

Out in the bush in the wilderness areas, the yellow-billed kites are still a delight to watch, safe from the pesticides, tree-cutting and habitat loss.

They fly high to locate carcasses, circling again and again to see where the meat scraps are and how to get to them while avoiding the snapping teeth of hyenas and lions.

Here the kites compete with vultures, jackals and other predators.

You have to be quick to see them swoop in, pull off a piece of meat or pick up a dropped scrap and then lift up again.

Sometimes they just sit on an exposed branch and watch and wait for exactly the right moment. It is then that you get a chance to see their bright yellow legs, black talons and sharp curved yellow beaks.

This September as I watch and wait for the yellow-billed kites I can but hope that they will be back in my home area again next year.

© Cathy Buckle

#Waiting #yellowbilled #kites