SA Rare Bird News - 20 February 2012
Trevor Hardaker
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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 21h00 on Monday, 20 February 2012. Information has been gleaned from various websites, email groups as well as from individual 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 | ||
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Starting in the Western Cape, the only record of any sort received in the last few days concerns a FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER reported from one of the regular pelagic trips earlier today.
In the Northern Cape, a HOODED VULTURE was reported from just south of Dikbaardskolk picnic site in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on Wednesday while, on the following day, another report (possibly the same individual?) was received from Marie se gat. This latter site also delivered a PURPLE HERON on Wednesday, both species well out of range in this area.
In Kwazulu Natal, it was also confirmed that the long-staying GREAT CRESTED GREBE on a pan about 30km from Vryheid was still present on Friday.
Moving into Mpumalanga, the Wakkerstroom area has produced some interesting birds over the last few days with a LESSER MOORHEN at a roadside pan on the southern side of the road about 16km from town on the way to Dirkiesdorp yesterday and a WESTERN MARSH HARRIER reported from the vicinity of the Amersfoort road bridge earlier today. The ALLEN’S GALLINULE reported from Leeupan in the Kruger National Park earlier last week was still present yesterday as well and there are now in fact 2 individuals there. And at least one PECTORAL SANDPIPER was still present at Mkhombo Dam yesterday as well together with a single WHITE-FRONTED PLOVER.
In the North-west Province, an AFRICAN HAWK EAGLE was located yesterday just outside Klerksdorp on the road to Faan Meintjies.
Finally, in Namibia, there have been several independent reports of VILLAGE INDIGOBIRDS in the Windoek area over the last few days. | ||
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Allen’s Gallinule at Leeupan © Johan Nell | Pectoral Sandpiper at Mkhombo Dam © Dylan Vasapolli | |
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Pectoral Sandpiper at Mkhombo Dam © Linda Vasapolli | Pectoral Sandpiper at Mkhombo Dam © Ray Lissack | |
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White-fronted Plover at Mkhombo Dam © Dylan Vasapolli | African Hawk Eagle near Klerksdorp © Tony Archer | |
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Please remember to send through your details to be included on the various listing clubs that are hosted at www.zestforbirds.co.za. This website also has an extensive rarities gallery that has many additional photos of a number of rarities that are mentioned in these reports. | ||
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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. | ||
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Kind regards Trevor | ||
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TREVOR HARDAKER Cape Town, South Africa
Follow our local exploits in the field at: http://hardakerwildlife.wordpress.com/
See our photos and trip reports at:
ZEST for BIRDS Pelagics, rarity photos, listing clubs and more:
SA RARE BIRD NEWS Get the latest rarity news by joining at: http://groups.google.co.za/group/sa-rarebirdnews
SOUTHERN AFRICAN RARITIES Online database of all SA rarities ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
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