On arrival, the bush telegraph spread news that Mabua Site 04 was now occupied. Parched and eager for moisture and the possibility of food scraps, our presence proved popular. A pair of African ground squirrels offered the first welcome, closely followed by more squirrels, a group of yellow-billed hornbills, yellow mongoose (plural) and native bees. A large of group of guinea fowl raced in shortly after, milling around in a somewhat miffed state that they were a little late to the party. Clearly accustomed to humans in their territory, this menagerie of camp residents were ready for any offerings. As the set up tasks included a rinse of the dusty solar panels, the squirrels and mongoose were quick to suck at the small droplets of moisture before they evaporated from the panels. Steps into the camper proved irresistible for the lone red-billed spurfowl, and banana skins seemed to simultaneously attract and spook the guinea fowl. In the end it was the omnivorous squirrels that proved the most adaptable to our offerings. Happily disposing of small pieces of overripe avocado and making the most of the fried onion and garlic that was spilt from a small cooking disaster. When we have moved on, I’m sure the clean up crew will rapidly erase all evidence of our presence, tidying up their backyard before the next humans roll in.