Talon Contest Part 2: Clean-up Squad
Far too many people have negative impressions of vultures. If you describe somebody as a ‘vulture’ you are definitely not paying them a compliment. They clearly need better publicity as they are seriously undervalued and under-appreciated, yet play a critical role within an ecosystems rich in apex mammalian predators. White-backed Vultures near Punda Maria waiting to feed - November 2025 © Jeff Clarke Africa is synonymous with vultures, but the truth is that they are in prec
4 days ago6 min read
Talon Contest: Part 1. Eagles
In a diverse and fully-functioning ecosystem like Kruger National Park there are numerous ecological niches into which otherwise seemingly similar species can fit and thereby avoid continual direct competition. Where two species are in direct competition for the same resource and are trying to exploit it the same way, one species will dominate to the exclusion of the other. By differentiating, even slightly, the ways in which species can exploit limited food resources, it all
Jan 198 min read
A Crown of Kingfishers
The Greeks considered Kingfishers to be born of the sea, hence the name Halcyon which translates as hals = sea and kyon = born. The mythology surrounding them has it that they could calm the sea during nesting. Calm periods to this day are often referred to as ‘Halcyon Days’. As a north European naturalist my only regular contact with a member of the Kingfisher tribe comes courtesy of the Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis , and like most kingfishers it is a colourful jewel of a
Jan 104 min read
Dancers in the Dark
Sometimes I look at a field guide and a creature leaps off the page and explodes inside my imagination. The first time I saw an illustration of a Pennant-winged Nightjar Caprimulgus vexillarius it blew my mind. Seeing one for real was definitely on my bucket-list. However, being a European based naturalist and it being a tropical African species, my chances would be limited. A second visit to Kruger National Park provided that opportunity. The northern rest camp of Punda Mari
Dec 13, 20253 min read
Kes
A Eurasian Kestrel seeks a suitable spot to hover. © Jeff Clarke Since I was a tiny child I've been utterly entranced by this delightful falcon. The poet Gerard Manley Hopkins was equally captivated and described the Kestrel's sublime hovering skills, to perfection, in his celebrated poem 'The Windhover', written on 30 May 1877. If you are not familiar with this poem it's time to put that glaring omission to bed. It's not just one of the greatest nature poems, it's one of th
Oct 17, 20252 min read
Attrition
It’s September as I type these words. The hedgerows are resplendent with berries, awaiting the fall of migrant thrushes from continental...
Sep 11, 20253 min read
Rolling in the Deep
As a cruise ship wildlife speaker and as a member of the Ocean Wildlife Encounters (OWE) team, I get to visit some pretty remote and...
Jul 4, 20254 min read
