The two rivers, Nkanga and Mooba running through the center of the ranch, are translated into English as the Guineafowl & Ground Hornbill so it is no surprise that we live in a bird paradise. There are many species of birds on the ranch, which is a birder’s delight due to the huge size of our preserved fauna and flora that attracts migrant birds in summer as well as hosts year round resident bird populations. The most numerous residents on the ranch are flocks of Francolins and Guinea Fowls however many hundreds of Trumpeter Hornbills provide the evocative mournful wail as constant background noise. All types of Raptor are seen on the ranch from nesting martial eagles to small hawks including the red necked falcon that breeds on our borassus palm trees.

Some experts believe that the majority of the total world wide population of Chaplin’s Barbet nest on our ranch and that of one neighbour. Ground Hornbills and Secretary birds are still nesting on the ranch and Hammerkop nests are to be seen along most river and stream couses with a wide selection of other water birds.

Habitat loss is perhaps the greatest threat to organisms and biodiversity. The loss of biodiversity may not directly affect humans, but the indirect effects of losing many species as well as the diversity of ecosystems in general are enormous. When biodiversity is lost, the environment looses many species that perform valuable and unique roles in the ecosystem. The environment and all its inhabitants rely on biodiversity to recover from extreme enormous. When biodiversity is lost, the environment looses many species that perform valuable and unique roles in the ecosystem. The environment and all its inhabitants rely on biodiversity to recover from extreme environmental conditions.

82% of endangered bird species were significantly threatened by habitat loss. Research has identified certain intimate linkages between some bird species and their habitats that make them useful for identifying ecosystem health. As such, they can be indicators of deteriorating habitat quality and environmental pollution, as well as metrics to determine the success of restoration efforts. It is not just the numbers of birds present, but the assemblage of bird species in an area that can indicate habitat quality.

Our Miombo woodland’s rich plant diversity, is home to more than 458 different identified bird species within its myriad unique and diverse habitats. However, further research is required to fully appreciate the complexities of this woodland ecosystem.

The high concentration of the Zambian Barbet, the Ground Hornbil and the presence of many types of Vultures, all of whom are adverse and sensitive to human disturbance, does indicate a level of stability and confidence.

The ranch hosts a few species of Vulure which are finding it more difficult to secure safe nesting sites in communal farming areas ommercial farming blocks. Although these birds have had three very good years benefiting from the heavy poaching that has taken place on Lockenvar and Blue lagoon, which are our two nearest government operated game reserves on the Kafue river, the future supply of carrion does not look as promising as the previously abundant herds of Kafue letchwe on these game areas have been decimated.