SA Rare Bird News Report - 18 January 2018
Trevor Hardaker
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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h00 on Thursday, 18 January 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 | |||
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As usual, let's get the scarcities out of the way first...
EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD:
· One over Klein Windhoek (Namibia) yesterday. · One in George (Western Cape) at -33.976, 22.499 on Tuesday. · One at Urban Camp in Klein Windhoek (Namibia) on Tuesday. · One at Finkenstein Estate a few km east of Windhoek (Namibia) on Tuesday. · One flying over garden in Napier (Western Cape) on Monday. | |||
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European Honey Buzzard in Napier © Steve Peck | European Honey Buzzard in Klein Windhoek © Stephen Salt | ||
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On to the rest of the news and, starting in the Western Cape, the GREY-HEADED BUSH SHRIKE was still in Plettenberg Bay yesterday.
In the Eastern Cape, a NORTHERN ROCKHOPPER PENGUIN came ashore at Port Alfred yesterday and, due to it not being in good health, it was taken into care and is now being rehabilitated at SANCCOB in Port Elizabeth. Also of local interest, a female MONTAGU'S HARRIER was reported earlier today along the road between Barkly East and Rhodes.
Moving up the coast into Kwazulu Natal, the sad news is that there have been no further sightings of the LESSER FRIGATEBIRD in Richard's Bay since Monday, but the ALLEN'S GALLINULE was still present at the Lake Mzingazi weir there yesterday.
Elsewhere, as many as 4 SOOTY FALCONS were present yesterday at the first traffic circle as one enters Mbazwana while several MONOTONOUS LARKS were reported around the Head Office at Manyoni Private Game Reserve yesterday as well.
In the Free State, a single MARABOU STORK was found at a farm dam next to the road between Reitz and Petrus Steyn at 27.75275° S 28.25511° E yesterday.
Across in Gauteng, at least one PECTORAL SANDPIPER was still present today at the farm dam at Grassland Instant Lawn farm on the R50 just outside Bapsfontein at -25.973, 28.393 while the AFRICAN PYGMY GOOSE was also still present yesterday on the farm dam adjacent to Bronkhortspruit Nature Reserve at -25.964, 28.659.
Also of local interest, a single LESSER MOORHEN was encountered along the Eendracht Road near Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve on Sunday at -26.443 , 28.293 while a SLATY EGRET was reported near the Otter hide at Marievale Bird Sanctuary yesterday. |
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Northern Rockhopper Penguin found in Port Alfred © Stacey Webb | |||
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Monotonous Lark at Manyoni Private Game Reserve © Megan Lategan | Lesser Moorhen along the Eendracht Road © John Human | ||
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Pectoral Sandpiper near Bapsfontein © Norman Lock | Pectoral Sandpiper near Bapsfontein © Sheleph Burger | ||
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African Pygmy Goose near Bronkhorstspruit Nature Reserve © Norman Lok | African Pygmy Goose near Bronkhorstspruit Nature Reserve © Andrew Buitendach | ||
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Neighbouring Mpumalanga also delivered a local surprize yesterday when a SOOTY FALCON was found about 10km north of Malelane gate on H3 in the Kruger National Park.
In the North-west Province, both AFRICAN SKIMMERS remained in place earlier today at Vaalkop Dam.
Up in Limpopo, a male HARLEQUIN QUAIL was reported from Lapalala Wilderness on Tuesday, an unusual record for the area. | |||
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African Skimmers at Vaalkop Dam © Michael Nyenes | Harlequin Quail at Lapalala Wilderness © Hermann Müller | ||
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And finally, in Namibia, the action remained hot with the GREAT KNOT still in Walvis Bay yesterday (but sadly not seen at all today), the FRANKLIN'S GULL still at Mile 4 Salt Works in Swakopmund yesterday, a EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER and at least 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVERS present at Pelican Point in Walvis Bay on Tuesday, another AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER found this morning at the Great Knot site and a single COMMON REDSHANK found at the Walvis Bay Lagoon this morning as well while a single CASPIAN PLOVER was found at Isabis farm about 120km south-west of Windhoek on Tuesday as well. | |||
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Great Knot in Walvis Bay © Dayne Braine | Great Knot in Walvis Bay © Peter Rosewarne | ||
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Great Knot in Walvis Bay © Niall Perrins | |||
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American Golden Plover in Walvis Bay © Dayne Braine | American Golden Plover in Walvis Bay © Peter Rosewarne | ||
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American Golden Plover in Walvis Bay © Michael Mandy | Eurasian Oystercatcher in Walvis Bay © Dayne Braine | ||
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Eurasian Oystercatcher in Walvis Bay © Peter Rosewarne | |||
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Franklin’s Gull at Mile 4 Salt Works © Niall Perrins | Franklin’s Gull at Mile 4 Salt Works © Peter Rosewarne | ||
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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
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