SA Rare Bird News Report - 29 October 2015

[Trevor Hardaker]

 

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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h00 on Thursday, 29 October 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, both AFRICAN PALM SWIFTS were still in Plattekloof at 9 Fynbos Close until at least Tuesday whilst the RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was also still present at Kliphoek Salt Pans in Velddrif (access through Kuifkopvisvanger farm - www.kuifkop.co.za) throughout the week and, for the first time earlier today, a second individual has now joined it. Further north, there was some surprise when at least 8 RED-BILLED QUELEAS were found feeding in a garden in Vanryhnsdorp on Tuesday reinforcing the data that shows the continuous spread of this species across the country. Over on the Garden Route, the PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER at Gouritzmond was also still on view until late yesterday.
Pacific Golden Plover at Gouritzmond © Johan Muller		Red-billed Queleas (with Southern Red Bishops) in Vanrhynsdorp © Salome Willemse
Red-necked Phalaropes in Velddrif © Linda du Plessis
Moving into the Northern Cape, there was some excitement in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park last Wednesday when an AFRICAN PYGMY KINGFISHER was located at 13th waterhole, well out of range for this species whilst, yesterday, a single CASPIAN PLOVER was located on a farm about 80km north-west of Loeriesfontein.   Over in the Eastern Cape, a COMMON SCIMITARBILL was reported this morning along the N6 between East London and Stutterheim just before the Kei Road bridge, quite far south-east for this species and well out of range.   Up the coast into Kwazulu Natal, 2 CASPIAN PLOVERS were discovered late on Monday in the far northern grasslands of Phinda Private Game Reserve.   And finally, in Namibia, a single EURASIAN CURLEW was located yesterday morning at a spring about 15km north of the King Nehele gate of Etosha National Park.
African Pygmy Kingfisher in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park © Graeme Coburn		Caspian Plover north-west of Loeriesfontein © Japie Claassen
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 -------------------------------------------------------------