SA Rare Bird News Report - 20 July 2017
Trevor Hardaker
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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h00 on Thursday, 20 July 2017. 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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The week has been a little quiet so far in terms of the number of reports coming through, but there have still been a few real goodies around to keep everyone entertained…
Starting in the Western Cape, the hot action remained around the suburban garden in Vierlanden in Durbanville where the male EURASIAN BLACKCAP has performed for fairly large crowds gathered in the garden this week and was still present there earlier today and has also been seen feeding in a neighbouring garden as well. Elsewhere in the province, at least one RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was present again at Kliphoek Salt Pans in Velddrif earlier today while the wide ranging immature WHITE-BACKED VULTURE was also seen again this morning on pylons along the road between Vredenburg and Saldahna Bay, but then flew off in the direction of Langebaan Lagoon eventually. | |||
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Eurasian Blackcap in Vierlanden © Alf Taylor | Eurasian Blackcap in Vierlanden © Brian du Preez | ||
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Eurasian Blackcap in Vierlanden © Peter Hills | Eurasian Blackcap in Vierlanden © Bryn de Kocks | ||
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Eurasian Blackcap in Vierlanden © Karen Powell | Eurasian Blackcap in Vierlanden © Wilna Steenkamp | ||
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Eurasian Blackcap in Vierlanden © Adam Buckham | |||
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Eurasian Blackcap twitchers in Vierlanden © Sam de Beer | |||
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In the Eastern Cape, a KNOB-BILLED DUCK was found this afternoon at Kruisriver in Uitenhage at -33.752, 25.343, a very uncommon species in the province.
Moving up the coast into Kwazulu Natal, the MALAGSY POND HERON was still thrilling twitchers this afternoon at the dam at Mziki while a single KNOB-BILLED DUCK was still present at the Sappi wetlands in Stanger on Tuesday as well. | |||
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Knob-billed Duck at Uitenhage © Keith Joubert | Knob-billed Duck at Sappi wetlands © Inben Naidoo | ||
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Happy Malagasy Pond Heron twitchers this afternoon at Mziki © Ryan Tyrer | |||
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Over in the North-west Province, there was some surprize when 2 WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAILS were located at Vaalkop Dam, first found on Tuesday and still present there yesterday. While generally they would not be considered out of range here, the time of the year is rather odd for this species to be there.
And finally, in Limpopo Province, the immature EGYPTIAN VULTURE was still hanging around the Olifants high water bridge in the Kruger National Park until late on Tuesday afternoon. Several subsequent claims have been reported since then, but I have not seen any photos produced of the bird in the last 2 days, so cannot confirm this one way or the other. It would appear that the carcass that was keeping all of the vultures in the area is reaching its end now and many of the vultures seem to have moved off now in search of another food source. Also still attracting attention though, the breeding pair of AFRICAN SKIMMERS were still in place at Engelhardt Dam near Letaba this afternoon as well. | |||
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Western Yellow Wagtail at Vaalkop Dam © Sarel van der Westhuizen | Egyptian Vulture at the Olifants high water bridge © Danie Knipe | ||
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Egyptian Vulture twitchers at the Olifants high water bridge © Alf Taylor | |||
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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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