SA Rare Bird News Report - 22 September 2016

[Trevor Hardaker]

 

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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h00 on Thursday, 22 September 2016. 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
As usual, the mid-week birding has been a little quieter with only a few recent reports coming through...   Starting in the Western Cape, the star bird of the last couple of months, the RUFOUS-TAILED SCRUB ROBIN that has been entertaining twitchers around the picnic sites on the eastern shore of Zeekoevlei has remained on this week and was still on view until at least late yesterday. Now in its 68th day on site, it has attracted at least 1265 birders to come and look for it so far and the numbers continue to grow daily. Also still attracting attention, the RED-NECKED PHALAROPE at Kliphoek Salt Pans in Velddrif (entry through Kuifkopvisvanger farm - www.kuifkop.co.za) was still a nailed on fixture there earlier today while a GREATER SAND PLOVER was seen earlier today at Seeberg in the West Coast National Park.   In the Eastern Cape, there were still at least 10 YELLOW-BILLED STORKS present at Diaz Dam yesterday while there have also apparently been a couple present regularly on the Kleinemonde East River east of Port Alfred for the last little while.
Red-necked Phalarope at Velddrif © Linda du Plessis		Yellow-billed Storks at Diaz Dam © Lester van Groeningen
Greater Sand Plover at Seeberg © Heide Wetmore
Over in Gauteng, the SOUTHERN WHITE-FACED OWL was still causing some local excitement at the Field and Study Centre in Sandton and was still on view there today.   Up in Limpopo Province, the RUPPELL'S VULTURE was also still present at the nest site in Blouberg Nature Reserve near Vivo until at least Tuesday.   And finally, in Namibia, the other 2016 subregion first, the YELLOW-THROATED LEAFLOVES in the gardens of Caprivi Houseboat Safari Lodge in Katima Mulilo, were still on view until at least yesterday while at least one RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was also still present today along the Paaltjies Road in Walvis Bay as well.
Southern White-faced Owl in Sandton © Melissa Whitecross		Yellow-throated Leaflove in Katima Mulilo © Corne Rautenbach
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 -------------------------------------------------------------