Exploring Pigeon Valley: The alate emergences

This is the 42nd in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article will be on the alate emergences.

Saturday, 2 November started with an air of expectation around Pigeon Valley. As the strong sun began to heat up the damp soil, I could see the ants scurrying around, opening up pathways from below the ground by removing the wet earth. Birds were perched on the sides of the clearings, watching the holes that appeared. It was as if a major contest had been scheduled and the pitch was ready.

Finally, around 11am, the contest did start. Before long it became clear that this was to be a one-sided affair. While the alates (known popularly as flying ants, the winged form of the termites or white ants that chew through dead wood) struggled out of the ground and launched themselves forwards, the birds swooped relentlessly. Spectacled Weaver was highly successful on the wing. “Thick” Bill Weaver, whose appearance alone could strike terror, with jaws built to crush the hardest nuts, instead tackled the alates in the air.

The Bulbul family, represented by Dark-capped, Sombre and Terrestrial, were ruthless in attack. Even Red-backed Mannikin, the most diminutive member of the team, designed for catching seeds, was able to turn the alates over, while Grey Sunbird charged through the ruck, though at one point it ended off to the side. Red-capped Robin-Chat, which had intercepted on various occasions, eventually began to relax as it swelled with pride and a gut full of alates.

ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Scaly-throated Honeyguide 

The defence was impenetrable. A few alates swerved to the side but paid the penalty nonetheless. Those that got the furthest were blocked by Little Swift and Palm Swift overhead, while, high above, Yellow-billed Kite did not miss a trick. To cap it all, Green Malkoha, resplendent in yellow (its bill) and green made a dazzling appearance.

In the end, a glorious and memorable victory. Of course, a few did sneak through, and no victory is totally complete. Each year in late spring or early summer, the alates emerge, hoping that some at least will make it and ensuring that the contest never ends.

Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerts management to any problems.

The Friends have a monthly walk at 7.30am on the second Saturday of each month. Email: friendsofpigeonvalley1@gmail.com.

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