For some years now, coinciding with the arrival of peak season in November, Lonno Lodge has been visited by a large group of weaver birds (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ploceidae); some are yellow with a red head, others are yellow with a sort of black mask over their eyes.
These incredible “craftsmen” quickly begin to weave long “casuarina” needles, creating a fixing point, which will then be completed with threads made from palm leaves and grass. The nest has two compartments, and is cleverly woven together with the effortless use of their tiny beaks.
An old tree that vaguely resembles a fir tree, located between the hotel and the pool, is filled with twittering and round nests which we like to think of as beautiful ornaments for a Christmas tree.
In this short film, we have also immortalized a male red-headed weaver. This species only flaunts gaudy plumage during the reproductive period. They build a nest, and then sing at its entrance to court the female. After mating, the female lines the inside of the nest with soft material, then lays eggs which she will sit on until they hatch.
We are particularly proud that even these small, seasonal tourists have chosen Lonno Lodge for their “holiday”. Evidently our efforts to respect the environment, the silence, and the dense vegetation which surround Lonno Lodge are to their liking.