Standing few meters from the water edge we watched a river flows across carrying trees debris and everything on its path. It is just few meters wide nor is it as deep or fast flowing but beneath its water the hungry massive crocs were waiting patiently. This is Grumeti River, overflowing in few weeks as a result of heavy rains in the plains of Serengeti. The river is largely hidden by trees as it meanders quietly through the western corridor of the Serengeti and the riverbank and the surrounding forests attracting numerous species of birds and fishes some moving through mud from pool to pool.
On a log at the water’s edge, a clever bird the Green backed Heron was standing still, and known for their patient hunting it was even using bait like leaves and insects to lure fish within a striking distance reminding me that patience pays. The yellow billed Stock, Hammerkop and the Monitor lizard one of the most versatile also were joining to feed on crabs, fishes and amphibians which serve as a food source for both birds and reptiles.
On the bank we saw a number of Grumeti crocodiles sharing the riverbanks and basking spots, but these lurking reptiles are extremely territorial during feeding or mating, and their hunting style is hiding under overhanging vegetation or just below the waterline, snapping upward at the perfect moment to catch a prey – the same hunting style since the age of dinosaurs.
We turned our attention to the Martial Eagle as it strikes a young velvet monkey and we were extremely fortunate to have witnessed this hunt as the eagle managed to get one talon on the head and the other on the throat of the velvet, it struggled in vain in an attempt to free itself from the deadly talons.
We continue trundling around and spotted the little beauty, a common buzzard. It was just happy perched there minding its own business but undoubted looking for its next meal. We were then blessed with incredible cool sights and above all on a nearby bush we saw a distinctively colored bush shrike the Black-Headed Gonolek (Laniarius eriythrogaster) a generally shy bird with striking red and black plumage which aid in mate attraction and territorial defense within dense shrub habitat. The male was making a concert with its partner making a loud clear bell like sound to which the female responded almost simultaneously with harsh grating response. It was a unique melodious duet performance; to be followed by dynamics flight patterns.
The Guinea Fowl launched into a loud collective alarm piercing call that was meant to quickly alerts other birds and animals to a potential threat – an early warning that something unusual is happening. And soon we saw a huge Rock python heading to the river maybe to hunt on a peaceful and thirsty Impalas that were walking down to the water to take a few sips, and possibly thinking how much food they will find on the other side of the river.
We were very happy to spend our time on this very scenic beauty and some of the great productive birding area in the western corridor.
