SARBN Monday 14 July 2025

[Garret Skead]

Dear SARBN subscribers

Just a quick reminder to please send all updates and rarity reports to me (Garret), from now until next week Thursday while Trevor is away. My contact details: 0716126370 and garret...@hotmail.com.

Herewith a short summary of the rare birds seen in the subregion in the last few days.

In the Western Cape, two NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSSES, a SOUTHERN FULMAR and a SPECTACLED PETREL were seen on a pelagic trip out of Hout Bay on Sunday (photographs attached - Southern Fulmar (c) Jody de Bruyn, Spectacled Petrel (c) Etienne Hinrichsen). The GOLIATH HERON was still present at the confluence of the Black and Liesbeek Rivers on Saturday, and a SQUACCO HERON was seen along the Onrus River at -34.415, 19.176 on Sunday, and still present today. An AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL was found today at the Potsdam WWT, but please note that this site is not accessible to the public.

 

In the Eastern Cape, a HOODED VULTURE was seen on Saturday, reported to be between Port Alfred and East London, near the Calumna turn-off. This is reported to be the third documented record of this species in the province.

 

In Kwazulu Natal, the PALE CHANTING GOSHAWK was still present along Mpofana Road near Kamberg Nature Reserve at -29.385, 29.72 on Sunday, and after a no-show this morning, an individual was seen near Estcourt on the N3 highway today at -29.017, 29.819 (possibly representing the same individual). Staying in the province, a BURCHELL’S COURSER was seen at Galway farm in Normandien, reported on Saturday (note - restricted access, by permission only). A single RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON was seen at the Eastern Shores of iSimangaliso Wetland Park at -28.315, 32.437 on Friday.

 

In Mpumalanga, two AFRICAN SKIMMERS still at Malelane gate in the Kruger National Park on Friday, and still present today. The SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO was still present near Satara as previously reported, on Sunday.

 

In Mozambique, a RED KNOT in breeding plumage was seen at The Sanctuary on the San Sebastian Peninsula at -22.092, 35.516 on Thursday.

And finally, in Namibia, the juvenile LITTLE HERON (Striated) was seen at the Swakop river mouth on Sunday. 

 

Kind regards

Garret