SA Rare Bird News Report - 07 April 2014

[Trevor Hardaker]

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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h00 on Monday, 07 April 2014. 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
Only a couple of EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD records to report on in the last few days.   1 bird reported at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens on Saturday (Gauteng) 1 bird seen at Lake Eland Game Reserve earlier today (KZN)
European Honey Buzzard at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens © Ernest Porter
On to the other news and, starting in the Western Cape, there was big excitement when the BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER was relocated at Geelbek in the West Coast National Park on Saturday after a long period of no-shows. The bird, once again, attracted quite a bit of attention and was still showing well to excited twitchers just a few hours ago. For those who got bored with it, they could also turn their attention to up to 3 COMMON REDSHANKS with at least one of them still present today. Also of interest in the park, a single LARK-LIKE BUNTING was reported from Geelbek on Saturday as well.   Elsewhere in the province, the SOOTY FALCON, now visiting for its 3rd season, was still showing well earlier today at Emily Moon Resort in Plettenberg Bay whilst observers aboard the SA Agulhas heading out on a voyage managed to get a message through to me that they picked up a WHITE-HEADED PETREL and a SOOTY ALBATROSS off the southern tip of the Agulhas Bank on Thursday afternoon whilst there were also several WANDERING ALBATROSSES around as added distractions. Also on Thursday, a single GOLIATH HERON was reported from Verlorenvlei in Eland’s Bay.
Broad-billed Sandpiper at Geelbek © Mike Buckham			Broad-billed Sandpiper at Geelbek © Freddie Strauss
Broad-billed Sandpiper at Geelbek © Cliff Dorse
Common Redshanks at Geelbek © Anton Putter			Common Redshank at Geelbek © Freddie Strauss
Sooty Falcon in Plettenberg Bay © Bruce Ward-Smith
In Kwazulu Natal, a VERREAUX’S EAGLE OWL was reported in the vicinity of The Country Nursery/Tranquili-tea in Greytown yesterday, certainly an interesting record for the KZN Midlands.   Then up into Mpumalanga where a single WATTLED CRANE was located associating with a flock of 13 Blue Cranes south of Devon yesterday (exact site of sighting was at -26.498661, 28.795498).   In Gauteng, there was some interest at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens on Saturday when both a WAHLBERG'S EAGLE and a SHIKRA were reported from there, both quite unusual species this far south in the province.   And finally, in Limpopo, there were a couple of reports of RIVER WARBLERS in the Kruger National Park on the weekend, one near Mopani Rest Camp and another along the Shingwedzi River near Red Rocks. The northern Kruger also delivered some other good birds, not least of which was 2 STRIPED CRAKES at Palm Vlei in the Makuleke Concession whilst the Concession also held WHITE-BACKED DUCK, SOUTHERN POCHARD and ALLEN’S GALLINULE at Banyini Pan.
Shikra at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens © Ernest Porter			Wahlberg’s Eagle at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens © Ernest Porter
Wattled Crane south of Devon © Dylan Vasapolli
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 -----------------------------------------------------------------------   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: www.hardaker.co.za     ZEST for BIRDS Pelagics, rarity photos, listing clubs and more: www.zestforbirds.co.za     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 www.rarities.co.za -------------------------------------------------------------