The land surrounding the Batoka Gorge is largely Tribal Trust Land. The TTL's, as they are commonly known in Zimbabwe, are huge areas of communual tribal land, largely under the control of the local chief and his 'Indunas'. On the whole the TTLs are lands ravished by the over exploitation that occurs on communal lands where lack of private ownership precludes land stewardship. The tribal life style also means that the superstition that dominates much of African belief systems is especially prevalent and access to the land is open to the whole tribe. These two facts have made it especially unfortunate for a pair of raptors which are almost as seldom seen as the Taita Falcon. The African Bat Hawk!

This dark plumaged unusual raptor is crepuscular and feeds almost entirely on bats caught just after dusk or before dawn. The birds have huge gapes and can swallow a whole bat while still in flight! A pair builds its nest every year within 50 meters of the main access road into the TTL towards the Batoka Gorge. As is their custom the birds choose a 'false baobab' tree as their nest site. This tree has very pale bark and sparse spread out branches. Obviously it is easier for the birds to see the branches at night as they fly into the nesting site. But it also makes the nest itself more visible from the road!

The local superstition is that if the chicks fledge the rains will fail. Thus every year just before fledging the nest is knocked down and the chicks killed. Ron and I checked on the nest site and noted that there were mutes on the ground and remains of prey. Thus signifying that the adult birds were still in residence. Ron's strategy to try to save the nestlings is to give lectures to the tribal members and leaders as to the birds true biology and worth. Ron even offered a sponsorship of the tribal soccer team if the chicks were allowed to fledge. This last season, despite the lectures and sponsorship offer, superstition still prevailed!

Next - Flying Peregrines