SA Rare Bird News Report - 23 February 2012
Trevor Hardaker
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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 21h00 on Thursday, 23 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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A rather short report tonight and starting in the Western Cape, a slightly delayed report has been received of a COMMON REDSHANK at De Hoop Vlei on 1 February. Also of interest on Tuesday was a pair of PALM-NUT VULTURES along the Froggie Hollow road near Wilderness as well as a count of up to 50 AMUR FALCONS in the same area.
In the Eastern Cape, the 2 COMMON CUCKOOS are still present on the farm near East London whilst, down at Cape Recife, the GOLDEN PLOVER species, now thought to more likely be an American Golden Plover, was still on view earlier today as well.
In Gauteng, there is at least still one EURASIAN HONEY BUZZARD doing the rounds in the general Randburg area whilst I received a rather bizarre, and unconfirmed, record of a MALAGASY POND HERON at the Duiker hide at Marievale Bird Sanctuary yesterday! Ordinarily, I would’ve just assumed that this was a misidentified Squacco Heron, but the observer claims that this bird is in full breeding plumage i.e. a whitish bird with a large bluish base to the bill. I’m just putting this out there in case any of you are in the area and can keep your eyes open…
And, lastly, some updates from the Kruger National Park all from the weekend. The ALLEN’S GALLINULE was still at Leeupan along with a pair of AFRICAN PYGMY GEESE. At least one WHISKERED TERN remained at Mazithi Dam whilst 3 RED-KNOBBED COOTS were located at Rhidonda Pan. | ||
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Common Redshank at De Hoop Vlei © Gary Waddington | Eurasian Honey Buzzard in Randburg © Christine Read | |
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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/
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SOUTHERN AFRICAN RARITIES Online database of all SA rarities ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
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