SA Rare Bird News Report - 13 December 2012
Trevor Hardaker
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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h15 on Thursday, 13 December 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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Well, here you have it… my very last formal SARBN report for 2012. I will be keeping tabs on the rarities goings on and will post any worthwhile updates over the weekend, but as from Monday, you will all be in the capable hands of Robert and Andre who will be “spreading the word”. I would, once again, just like to express my thanks to both of them for agreeing to take on this task while I am away as I know just how much work it can be. Robert and Andre, please could you both also just send a test message to SARBN, so that we can ensure that your posting rights have been set up correctly. And for the rest of you, just in case you have deleted all the previous emails, here are their contact details again for you to send your rarity news to over the course of the next few weeks while I spend some time soaking up all that Colombia has to offer.
Robert Wienand: 083 299 2484
Andre Marx: 083 411 7674
It also just remains for me to wish all of the subscribers to SARBN a fantastic festive season and a healthy and prosporous New Year and, for those of you that are on holiday, a relaxing and hopefully, bird-filled break. May 2013 be the best year we have ever experienced for rarities in Southern Africa…J
On to what little news there is…
There seems to be an increase in the number of EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD reports at the moment with one reported just north of the Helipad in Newlands Forest on Tuesday (Western Cape), another on the Old Brits Pretoria Rd near NG Kerk Wesmoot yesterday (Gauteng) and, yet another individual reported from a residential estate near to Roodeplaat Dam earlier today (also Gauteng).
In the Western Cape, 2 GARDEN WARBLERS were reported earlier today at the Doornhoek picnic site in the Karoo National Park.
In the Eastern Cape, a YELLOW-BILLED STORK was reported on Saturday at a pan on the coastal road between Zuney wetland and Springmount about 10 km west of Alexandria, a rather unusual species for the province.
Kwazulu Natal still had a SOOTY TERN on show yesterday at the St Lucia estuary.
Moving into Limpopo Province, a THREE-BANDED COURSER was reported yesterday at the Greater Makalali Game Reserve near Gravelotte.
And finally, in Namibia, the highlight of recent days was the discovery of a GULL-BILLED TERN in Etosha National Park yesterday.
And for those of you that are waiting for more news, I have not received any further reports, either positive or negative, of the MADAGASCAR CUCKOO since the weekend… | ||
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Yellow-billed Stork near Alexandria © Laurie Wood | ||
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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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