This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h00 on
Monday, 16 July 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>
http://groups.google.co.za/group/sa-rarebirdnews
Starting in the Western Cape, it seems that the GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO near
Klipheuwel has finally packed its bags and headed off to more summery
conditions somewhere. It was still present on Friday, but intensive
searching on Saturday did not relocate it at all and it has not been
reported since then again.
There is no doubt that the recent spate of bad weather probably had
something to do with this, but on the upside, it did provide a group of
observers on board the “new” Agulhas some excellent sightings last week on
their way down to Antarctica. A message received from the ship indicated
that, on Tuesday, when they were sitting on station about 192 nautical miles
due west of Cape Point, they had a number of excellent birds, the best of
which included 3 SOOTY ALBATROSSES, an ATLANTIC PETREL and a WHITE-HEADED
PETREL. Isn’t technology also amazing that I could be sent this information,
along with the photo included here, from a ship in the middle of the
ocean…?!
Elsewhere in the province, the MARABOU STORK was once again reported from
Knysna this morning, this time in the graveyard adjacent to the industrial
area whilst the GROUNDSCRAPER THRUSH was relocated in Bredasdorp again over
the weekend, this time in a different part of the town, roughly at S 34º 31'
19.86" and E 20º 2' 48.21".
In the Northern Cape, a SHORT-TOED ROCK THRUSH was reported from the
Lijersdraai area in the northern Nossob in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
late last week (apparently a very unusual record for the area according to
locals) whilst, 3 TEMMINCK’S COURSERS were reported about 40km south of
Pofadder last week as well.
Moving into Kwazulu Natal, the WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATERS reported last week
near Winterton sparked some interest and a small group of these was reported
from Tokoziza, about 10km from Winterton, on Saturday. Perhaps there is
actually a small resident population in the area that is not really
indicated on any current distribution maps? There have also been a couple of
GREATER FLAMINGO records from the province with a single bird still present
in Durban Bay on the weekend whilst a group of at least 8 birds have turned
up at a farm dam near Bergville.
Atlantic Petrel west of Cape Point
© Barrie Rose
Groundscraper Thrush in Bredasdorp
© Sharon Brink
White-fronted Bee-eaters at Tokoziza
© David Weaver
Greater Flamingo in Durban Bay
© Bruce Black
Greater Flamingos near Bergville
© Liz Jackson
Staying in Kwazulu Natal, the most exciting record is also perhaps the most
frustrating. What appears to be an immature RUPPELL’S VULTURE has been
sighted at a Cape Vulture colony in the southern Drakensberg area on a
private farm. It was first reported last week and was seen again on the
weekend. At this point in time from the photos I have seen, I cannot be
absolutely sure whether it is just a moulting immature bird or possibly a
hybrid, but it is certainly showing a number of features consistent with
Ruppell’s Vulture. Unfortunately, the owner of the property is not prepared
to grant access to birders at the moment, although talks are ongoing.
Hopefully, we’ll be able to come up with a suggestion that works for
everybody and we can get people on to the property to see the bird in an
organized manner. I also don’t have exact details of the site as yet just to
pre-empt the hundreds of emails I am probably about to receive…J I am also
withholding the names of the 2 photographers who sent me the images below so
that they also don’t get bombarded with requests for now. As soon as I know
anything more, I will certainly post the news here.
Lastly, in Limpopo Province, a single GREATER FLAMINGO was reported from the
Engelhardt Dam north of Letaba in the Kruger National Park on Saturday.
Suspected Ruppell’s Vulture in southern Drakensberg
© Photographers name withheld
Suspected Ruppell’s Vulture in southern Drakensberg
© Photographers name withheld
Please remember to send through your details to be included on the various
listing clubs that are hosted at <http://www.zestforbirds.co.za/>
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.
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
Trevor
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TREVOR HARDAKER
Cape Town, South Africa
Follow our local exploits in the field at:
<http://hardakerwildlife.wordpress.com/>
http://hardakerwildlife.wordpress.com/
See our photos and trip reports at:
<http://www.hardaker.co.za/> www.hardaker.co.za
ZEST for BIRDS
Pelagics, rarity photos, listing clubs and more:
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SA RARE BIRD NEWS
Get the latest rarity news by joining at:
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SOUTHERN AFRICAN RARITIES
Online database of all SA rarities
<http://www.rarities.co.za> www.rarities.co.za
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