SA Rare Bird News Report - 05 November 2015

[Trevor Hardaker]

 

SA Rare Bird News is proud to be associated with the following brands:
This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h00 on Thursday, 05 November 2015. 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
Starting in the Western Cape, the AFRICAN JACANA was still present at Strandfontein Sewage Works at the pans near the entrance boom until at least Tuesday whilst the PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET was still hanging around in trees outside the SARS building in Church Street in Beaufort West yesterday. Both RED-NECKED PHALAROPES were also still present earlier today at Kliphoek Salt Pans in Velddrif (enter through Kuifkopvisvanger farm - www.kuifkop.co.za).   In the Northern Cape, a slightly delayed report has been received of a WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL seen at 13th waterhole in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on 20 October.
Red-necked Phalarope at Velddrif © Linda du Plessis		Western Yellow Wagtail at 13th waterhole © Ed Alexander
In Gauteng, the AYRES' HAWK EAGLE near Weskoppies Hospital in Pretoria was still showing well yesterday (details of where to view from were given in the previous report) whilst a EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD was seen at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens yesterday and another was reported from Irene Country Club on Sunday.   Over in Mpumalanga, the action continues at Mkhombo Dam with the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, BLACK-TAILED GODWIT and several CASPIAN PLOVERS all still showing well there yesterday.
European Honey Buzzard at Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens © Shane Wilken		Lesser Black-backed Gull at Mkhombo Dam © Dominic Rollinson
Caspian Plover at Mkhombo Dam © Dominic Rollinson		Caspian Plover at Mkhombo Dam © Johan Taljaard
In the North-west Province, an immature male PALLID HARRIER was reported about 8km north of Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve near Klerksdorp on Tuesday. It's not really out of range in this area, but still a rather good bird to see in the region.   Limpopo Province chimed in with a single male RED-FOOTED FALCON near the Rust de Winter crossroads on Tuesday, one of the first to be reported for the season.
Pallid Harrier near Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve © Tony Archer		Red-footed Falcon near Rust de Winter © Etienne Marais
And finally, in Namibia, the satellite tagged female EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD that spent the last summer season around Reitz in the Free State has arrived back in the subregion and was in the Caprivi Strip on Monday. See the map below to follow her route.
Latest known position of satellite tagged European Honey Buzzard
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 -------------------------------------------------------------