SA Rare Bird News Report - 17th December 2012
Robert Wienand
This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 22h13 on Monday, 17th December 2012. Information has been gleaned from various websites, email groups as well as observers who have passed on their sightings. This report cannot be taken as being totally comprehensive as it is based only on information made available at the time of writing. All bird sightings reported here are reported in good faith based on information as provided by the observers. Any inaccuracies are totally unintentional and the writer cannot be held liable for these. For those who may have only joined the group recently and are interested in finding out what has been seen in the past, previous reports can be viewed at http://groups.google.co.za/group/sa-rarebirdnews
I would like to apologise for the delay in getting this report out. Getting the necessary information together and looking orderly in a mail took longer than expected.
Mpumalanga has probably produced the most interesting sightings over the past few days. A EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD was seen on Saturday at Amanzintaba and Mabusa, while a PECTORAL SANDPIPER was reported from Mkhombo Dam also on Saturday. Staying at Mkhombo Dam, an AFRICAN SKIMMER was seen flying along the shore this morning and other goodies reported from the dam included the PECTORAL SANDPIPER, WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAILS, a WESTERN OSPREY, CORNCRAKE and RIVER WARBLER. There have been several requests for directions to get to Mkhombo Dam.
The following information has been taken from Etienne Marais and Faansie Peacock’s book “Birding Gauteng”.
From Pretoria and the N1-N4 junction travel north on the N1 and take the Zambezi off-ramp. Turn right into Zambezi Drive (R513) and proceed for just over 1km to the R573 (Moloto/KwaMhlanga road). Turn left, follow the R573 for 57km, and turn left into the R568 towards Libangeni. After 36km you reach a four-way stop. Turn left and travel 7km to the village of Libangeni. Turn right at the Total filling station, and continue straight to the end of the village. At this point bear right and immediately left around the rubbish dump.
This dirt track will take you to the shoreline. Heading west along the shore will take you to Geddes Bay. It is along this stretch where the majority of the birds reported for Mkhombo Dam are seen. Please note that it is best to have a 4x4 or high clearance vehicle at Mkhombo and that it is important to stay as much as possible on the tracks next to the dam to avoid hidden stumps and other obstacles in the long grass. It is also an area surrounded by a poor community and it is necessary to be vigilant at all times.
The search continues for the Madagascar Cuckoo in the Kruger Park which was heard on Sunday but to my knowledge not seen. The last area it was confirmed to be in was along the S114 about 3km south of the junction with the S26.
African Skimmer at Mkhombo Dam
© Jerome Ainsley
In Limpopo Province a STRIPED CRAKE was seen scurrying across the road at Rust de Winter town on Saturday.
In North West Province the Kgomo Kgomo floodplain seems to be hotting up with the PECTORAL SANDPIPER still being on view at the same place to the left of the road just after passing the last houses along the dirt road before getting onto the Zaagkuil Road. A couple of WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAILS and a group of CASPIAN PLOVERS are also still around and yesterday both STRIPED and BAILLON’S CRAKES were heard calling from the same area.
Pectoral Sandpiper at Kgomo Kgomo
© Rolf Wiesler
In Kwazulu Natal the SOOTY TERN remains on view at the St Lucia Estuary while a LESSER SAND PLOVER was recorded today from the same area. Also an uncommon sighting for the area was a BLACK HERON reported from the Umgeni River Mouth yesterday.
Finally in the Western Cape the GARDEN WARBLERS that were reported from the Karoo National Park on Thursday were still present on Saturday at the Doornhoek Picnic site, while in Plettenberg Bay a LONG-CRESTED EAGLE was seen in the Piesang’s River Valley earlier today.
Long-crested Eagle in Plettenberg Bay
© Bruce Ward-Smith
Please remember that while Trevor is away, André Marx and myself will be handling all rarity reports. Please feel free to contact us.
André Marx:
083 411 7674
Robert Wienand
083 299 2484
Thank you to all observers who have contributed their records. Please continue to send through any reports of odd birds as well as continued updates on the presence of rarities already previously reported, no matter how mundane you think they may be. Even if you think someone else has probably sent in a report, rather send the report yourself as well. The only way to improve this service and to make it as useful as possible to everyone is if it can be as comprehensive as possible.
Kind regards
Robert & André