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This morning we were up at 3.30 again and this time we went up into the Western hide with Catherine, the journalist. She however had to leave early as she and the others were on the early flight to Lusaka leaving at 7.30am. The other couple were off to Livingstone while she was off to stay and write about Latitude - a new hotel that we are staying in next time we visit - so her article will be interesting.
Back to the bats -as we arrived there was lots of noise and activity from returning bats; the Western hide is lower - about 12 metres -so you get a sense of being in amongst the bats as you are level with the tree tops.
As I climbed the ladder and emerged onto the top of the platform there was an almighty crash; once I realised it wasn't the hide I saw a tree top bouncing and presumed a branch, under the weight of hundreds of bats, had fallen to the ground - no doubt the casualties would make easy meals for the waiting scavengers - there were always at least two hopeful vultures waiting in the tree tops. We also spied a Marshall eagle waiting patiently in a tree.
We noted that the bats roosted in the bare trees first, preened themselves and then made their way to a position under the canopy, if they could find one, as everywhere was full some did end up in the sun and blended well with the dead leaves at the top of the canopy vegetation.
The bats did not seem as active as yesterday but they frequently looked settled then something would happen and the sky would fill and be black with bats, they would then settle again....... but what caused the upwelling was not easy to identify - one bat scratching perhaps!
We heard the first plane leave, but not until 0750, at the time we were heading back through the forest trying to avoid the only real hazard- tetse flies! We did however see two common duiker on a mound, a bush buck and finally we had some really good close ups of a kinder baboon troop as they ran along the road in front and to the side of us.
We had a leisurely breakfast and shower before finishing packing, then coffee watching the wildlife on the lake and a light lunch before our flight back to Lusaka. Our new plane arrived at 2pm to collect Regula and us - it arrived with much needed fresh provisions for the lodge and a rather ruffled new English pilot who is just about to move to Zambia permanently with his new contract.
We all sat in the plane but it would not start - after phoning the technicians from the lodge, as there was no signal on the field, and leaving it for 45 minutes the pilot started it perfectly, it probably needed a rest!
We had a good flight back dodging a few thunderstorms and arrived with plenty of time to kill before our late evening Emirates flight.
Our time was filled with contemplation reflection, ice-cream and coffee before setting off on our trek home via Dubai.
Overall it was a great experience and I am really glad we have seen the largest mammalian migration in the world. We would like to return to see the Benguela swamps when they are filled with water and the shoebills are easier to see and joined by other birds and wildlife.
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