SA Rare Bird News Report - 15 September 2016

[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, 15 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
It's been a fairly quiet last few days with not too many new reports coming through...   Starting in the Western Cape, the RUFOUS-TAILED SCRUB ROBIN remains on around the picnic areas on the eastern shore of Zeekoevlei and was still showing well today. Now in its 61st day on site, it has entertained at least 1228 birders who have made the effort to go and look for it. Elsewhere in the province, I have received a delayed record dating back to 31 August of our roaming WHITE-BACKED VULTURE which was seen on that day along the R364 about 6km west of Graafwater between Clanwilliam and Lambert's Bay, so this bird has obviously been moving around quite a bit.   Also of interest, at least 2 AUSTRALIAN GANNETS were still present on Malgas Island in Saldahna Bay yesterday while the RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was still on view today at Kliphoek Salt Pans in Velddrif and a LESSER SAND PLOVER was located on the salt pan to the south of Geelbek Manor House in the West Coast National Park earlier today as well.
Australian Gannet on Malgas Island © Robin Gray		White-backed Vulture west of Graafwater © Heide Wetmore
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin at Zeekoevlei © Anton Pearson
Red-necked Phalarope at Velddrif © Michael Mandy		Lesser Sand Plover at Geelbek © Michael Mandy
In the Eastern Cape, the SOOTY TERN was, once again, on show yesterday at Cape Recife in Port Elizabeth while the AFRICAN CUCKOO HAWK was also still present yesterday close to Nahoon Estuary Nature Reserve in East London where it was seen at Blue Waters Place opposite 1 Collingham. Also still attracting local attention, at least 9 YELLOW-BILLED STORKS remained on at Diaz Dam this morning as well.   And finally, although not way out of range, an interesting record nonetheless comes from Gauteng where a juvenile MARTIAL EAGLE spent some time in a garden in Die Wilgers in Pretoria East this morning. What an awesome bird to have on your garden list!!
Sooty Tern at Cape Recife © Neil Ebedes		Yellow-billed Storks at Diaz Dam © Hugh Retief
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 -------------------------------------------------------------