SA Rare Bird News Report - 09 July 2015

[Trevor Hardaker]

 

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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h20 on Thursday, 09 July 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
Trying to catch up on a week's worth of news (even although there was not that much to report on) so, starting in the Western Cape, a pelagic trip out of Simon's Town on Saturday delivered at least 2 NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSSES whilst the HALF-COLLARED KINGFISHER reported on a farm outside Robertson at the beginning of last week was still present there until at least Sunday but as not been seen since then despite constant checking of the area. Up the west coast at Seeberg in the West Coast National Park, the single LESSER SAND PLOVER remained on view until at least the weekend as well whilst, over on the eastern side of the province, a GOLIATH HERON was located on the Bitou wetlands in Plettenberg Bay last Thursday and remained in the area until at least Monday.
Goliath Heron at Bitou wetlands © Mike Bridgeford		Northern Royal Albatross on pelagic trip © Geoff Finney
Northern Royal Albatrosses (extreme left and right birds) on pelagic trip © Trevor Hardaker
Up the coast into Kwazulu Natal where the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL was still present on a sand bank opposite Wilson's Wharf in Durban harbour until at least Sunday whilst a FRANKLIN'S GULL in full breeding plumage at the St Lucia estuary was attracting a fair bit of attention and was still showing well yesterday. Also of interest were 3 AFRICAN GREY HORNBILLS reported from the Zululand Rhino Reserve near Mkhuze on Tuesday whilst the LESSER MOORHEN was still showing at Darvill Bird Sanctuary in Pietermaritzburg until at least Saturday.   Up in Limpopo Province, a group of 8 SWALLOW-TAILED BEE-EATERS were reported at Stofberg on Monday, right at the southern tip of the province.   And finally, in Mozambique, a GREATER FRIGATEBIRD was reported near the lighthouse at Ponta da Barra on Monday.
Lesser Black-backed Gull at Durban harbour © James Harvey		Franklin’s Gull at St Lucia © Stacey Farrell
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 -------------------------------------------------------------