SA Rare Bird News Report - 19 April 2018

[Trevor Hardaker]

 

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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h00 on Thursday, 19 April 2018. 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 single scarcity report received over the last few days...   EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD:   ·         One over Raceview, Alberton (Gauteng) this morning.
European Honey Buzzard in Alberton © Warren Mckay
On to the rest of the news and, starting in the Western Cape, the RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was still on Pan P5 at Strandfontein Sewage Works late yesterday afternoon while a GOLIATH HERON was seen in front of the Wheeler hide at Rondevlei Nature Reserve on Tuesday. The AFRICAN HAWK EAGLE on Knorhoek farm near Sir Lowry's Pass Village also made another appearance yesterday afternoon in the trees in front of the Manor House there (not seen today unfortunately). Up on the west coast, the RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was still at Kliphoek Salt Pans in Velddrif on Tuesday while a single GOLIATH HERON was also found along Berg River next to Kliphoek Salt Pans on Tuesday as well.
Goliath Heron at Rondevlei Nature Reserve © Daud Sheard		Goliath Heron in Velddrif © Linda du Plessis
In the Eastern Cape, the very popular CITRINE WAGTAIL and the supporting cast of a WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (with 2 individuals seen on Tuesday) continue their stay moving between the Cape Recife Water Works and the pan immediately adjacent to the works and were both still on view there today. Please also note that, unfortunately, the Water Works themselves will not be open to the public on the weekend. The adjacent pan and hide will be accessible and one can also view the birds from outside through the fence at the Water Works, but the views will be a little more distant (and not great photographic opportunities!) if this is the case.   The only other news comes from Gauteng where an AFRICAN GOSHAWK was seen over Fairland in Johannesburg yesterday again.
Citrine Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Matthijs Ravensberg		Citrine Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Lynette Rudman
Citrine Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Jorrie Jordaan		Citrine Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Jo Balmer
Citrine Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Bernard Heritage		Citrine Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Keith Joubert
Citrine Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Wilma Meiring		Citrine Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Andre Strydom
Citrine Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Colin Urquhart		Citrine Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Oswald Dittrich
Western Yellow Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Matthijs Ravensberg		Western Yellow Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Jorrie Jordaan
Western Yellow Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Rod Green		Western Yellow Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Jo Balmer
Western Yellow Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Bernard Heritage		Western Yellow Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Keith Joubert
Western Yellow Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Wilma Meiring		Western Yellow Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Andre Strydom
Western Yellow Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Colin Urquhart		Western Yellow Wagtail at Cape Recife Water Works © Oswald Dittrich
Wagtail twitchers at Cape Recife Water Works © Andre Strydom
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   -------------------------------------------------------------