Mark Anderson, of Birdlife SA, writes by email:
Both the Lesser and Greater Flamingo are very nomadic, moving around southern Africa in response to rainfall and the inundation of ephemeral wetlands.
The Lesser Flamingo feeds on blue green algae (also called cyanobacteria), while the Greater Flamingo feeds on crustaceans (such as fairy shrimps).
During periods of low rainfall, ie when the ephemeral wetlands are not inundated, both species of flamingos are dependent on perennial wetlands (such as Kamfers Dam, estuaries, and pans and lakes on the Highveld).
They disperse widely after the rains.
Lesser Flamingos currently breed at only two localities in southern Africa, namely Sua Pan in Botswana and Etosha Pan in Namibia (they have previously bred on an artificially constructed island at Kamfers Dam near Kimberley).
Greater Flamingos breed at both Sua Pan and Etosha Pan and a number of wetlands in South Africa.
The young flamingos disperse from these natal sites, and can be observed at very remote localities.
During recent months, Greater Flamingos (and to a limited extent Lesser Flamingos) have turned up at remote wetlands across South Africa.
There have also been regular sightings at wetlands on the Highveld.
This may be due to low rainfall during the past summer in many parts of southern Africa, and the flamingos’ dependence on permanent wetlands.