Kgalagadi: The Tree & The Nest

[GavinW]

Sunday 25 October 2020



That tree
was the only other highlight of the trip, before we got back to camp for the evening

[Klipspringer]

Love "The Tree" and its nest

Would be interesting to dig up some old photos of the tree and the nest to see how it has changed over time!

Slow growing species, but the nest may have expanded or fallen several times.

[Lisbeth]

This photo is only from 2017, so it has not changed much

The small branch on the left-hand side looks dead

I thought that I had one from 2008, but I cannot find it

[Klipspringer]

But the nest was larger

[nan]

Love "The Tree" and its nest

Would be interesting to dig up some old photos of the tree and the nest to see how it has changed over time!

Slow growing species, but the nest may have expanded or fallen several times.

I got a lot if you are interested
but not in the Gavin TT

[Klipspringer]

Love "The Tree" and its nest

Would be interesting to dig up some old photos of the tree and the nest to see how it has changed over time!

Slow growing species, but the nest may have expanded or fallen several times.

I got a lot if you are interested
but not in the Gavin TT

Have made a new topic for monitoring the tree and the nest

[Klipspringer]

The location:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/26%C2 ... 7?hl=de-DE

[Klipspringer]

Vachellia erioloba is a keystone species in the southern Kalahari because it provides food, shelter, perches, nests and roost sites to many types of animals and harbours a distinct assemblage of plant species below its canopy.
It is a slow-growing and long-lived tree with a lifespan in excess of 240 years. A study in the KTP found that the annual stem diameter growth rate is only 1 to 4 mm.
Mature individuals are reportedly not easily affected by short-term climatic variations, possibly because they have some of the deepest roots of any known species (the maximum recorded is 68 m), allowing them access to deep groundwater sources.


Large communal nests of sociable weavers (Philetairus socius) often occur in camel thorns. These small passerines build massive colonial nests, where they live throughout the year in groups of up to 300 birds. The colonies can persist for several decades, and the continuously falling feces, carcasses, and nest material can potentially have important consequences on the soil properties and vegetation below and around the trees.
The nests are also continuously expanded by the weavers over time, becoming massive with age, and it is common to observe broken branches associated with larger nests. Finally, the nests occupy space in the canopy, blanketing branches with nest material that might eliminate potentially productive leaf material.
Maybe the trees suffer more than they benefit from these weaver colonies

[Richprins]

Klippies!

[Alf]

Would like to see more pictures of this amazing tree over the years