SA Rare Bird News Report - 29 September 2008

[Trevor Hardaker]

S O U T H E R N   A F R I C A N   R A R E   B I R D   N E W S   R E P O R T
This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 21h00 on Monday, 29 September 2008. 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, previous reports can be viewed at http://groups.google.co.za/group/sa-rarebirdnews
Top bird (or birds) of the last few days goes to a slightly belated report of 3 GREAT KNOTS photographed at White Sands on the Barra Peninsula near Inhambane in Mozambique on 20 September 2008. The birds were apparently seen near the boat launch area adjacent to some reed huts.   This constitutes the 3rd record of this species for the Southern African subregion. This species was first identified in the subreigon in March 2002 at Seeberg in the West Coast National Park. Subsequent investigation revealed that it had in fact been visiting this site from late 2000. It returned to the same location for several seasons and was last reported in late 2003. The second record was in December 2004 when it was also located on the Barra Peninsula near Inhambane in Mozambique.   Compared with the more regular Red Knots that visit Southern Africa annually, the Great Knot is a larger bird with a longer bill. The bill is also proportionately thicker at the base narrowing to a finer tip and shows a dull greenish colour at the base. Typically, these birds show wings projecting beyond the tail (as opposed to ending in line with the tail in Red Knot) and have a streaked crown, nape and mantle compared with the “smoother” unstreaked appearance of Red Knot. In flight, the upperwings show a less obvious wingbar than in Red Knot.   One of three Great Knots at Ponta da Barra © Maans Booysen
In the Western Cape, there was some excitement for local birders in the form of a GREEN-BACKED HERON located on a farm dam near Riviersonderend on Thursday. Intensive searching at Geelbek over the last few days has still not delivered the Dunlin again, but the COMMON REDSHANK has been showing well most days and was still present yesterday.   Common Redshank at Geelbek © Freddie Strauss
Of unknown origin, and presumed to probably be escapees, a male RED-CRESTED POCHARD has been reported from Bonaeropark Pan near Blauuwpan in Gauteng whilst a single ROSY-FACED LOVEBIRD has been reported from the Sandton area.   Red-crested Pochard at Bonaeropark Pan © Johann du Preez
Additional photos of a number of rarities can be viewed in the rarities gallery on www.zestforbirds.co.za   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 To see some of my photos of birds, mammals, reptiles, frogs and dragon- and damselflies, visit www.hardaker.co.za -------------------------------------------------------- Trevor Hardaker and John Graham ZEST for BIRDS Cape Town, South Africa Website: www.zestforbirds.co.za --------------------------------------------------------