SA Rare Bird News Report - 17th June 2013
Robert Wienand
This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 21h45 on Monday, 17th June 2013. Information has been gleaned from various websites, email groups as well as 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
Tonight’s report starts with Gauteng and the YELLOW-BREASTED PIPITS that have been seen at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve over the past couple of weeks. At least 3 individuals were still present this morning.
In Mpumalanga, several people made the journey to Mkhombo Dam to see the CHESTNUT-BANDED POVER that was first reported from there last weekend. The bird appears to still be showing well to all interested birders, and remains a good species for the province with the only other record coming from the Chrissiesmeer area North-east of Ermelo. It was still present today.
Chestnut-banded Plover at Mkhombo Dam
© Michal Groenewald
Chestnut-banded Plover at Mkhombo Dam
© Mark Tittley
Moving further east into the Kruger National Park a report yesterday confirmed that there are now three GREATER FLAMINGO’S at the main Ngotso Dam between Satara and Olifants Camps. Another interesting and worthwhile sighting, although not a rarity for the Kruger Park, an AFRICAN CROWNED EAGLE was seen flying from the Skukuza Golf Course towards the nursery earlier today. This species is not often recorded in the southern Kruger.
In the Limpopo Province there was a report received on Friday of a BLACK HARRIER that was seen at Vogelfontein at Nylsvley. This is far out of range for this species and not its preferred habitat. Unfortunately no photos were received to substantiate the sighting.
In the Northern Cape a regional rarity in the form of a BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE was reported from a garden in Kimberley yesterday morning. According to SABAP2 there are no other records for this species in the Northern Cape, so it is indeed a great species for the province.
Black-headed Oriole at Kimberley
© Kate Armstrong
Last and certainly not least from the Western Cape a report has come through of an immature BLACK-HEADED GULL that was seen at Strand yesterday afternoon. The description received of the bird seems accurate, and I am waiting to receive more specific detail on where exactly at Strand the bird was seen.
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
Robert & André
André Marx
083 411 7674
Robert Wienand
083 299 2484