SARBN Monday 21 July 2025

[Garret Skead]

Dear SARBN subscribers

Starting in the Western Cape, an immature WANDERING ALBATROSS was seen on a pelagic trip from Simon's Town yesterday, along with a SPECTACLED PETREL. At Kliphoek salt pans, the RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was seen on Friday (presumably the long-staying individual; see photograph attached (c) Oliver Main). On the Garden Route, a SQUACCO HERON was seen at Piesang river estuary on Sunday, and two COMMON SCIMITARBILLS were reported from a site near Uniondale, at -33.541, 23.002.

In the Eastern Cape, a WHITE-BELLIED SUNBIRD was seen at the East London industrial zone on Friday (note - no public access), and an immature PALM-NUT VULTURE was seen this morning at Kragga Kamma Game Park.

In Kwazulu-Natal, a PURPLE ROLLER was seen at Manyoni Private Game Reserve on Friday. RUFOUS-BELLIED HERONS were seen over the weekend at the Amazibu hide (iSimangaliso), and also at Umbogavango reserve near Amanzimtoti. In St Lucia, a CHESTNUT-BANDED PLOVER was seen yesterday at the estuary mouth.

In Mpumalanga, the SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO remained happily on view for Kruger listers on Saturday, at Satara, and the AFRICAN SKIMMERS were still present at Malelane bridge today.

And finally, in Mozambique, the biggest rarity news of all comes from the fabled location of The Sanctuary, where an astonishing variety of rare species were seen in the last few days. Headlining the act are the following: a GREAT KNOT was found at Bird Island on Friday (see photograph attached (c) Albert McLean). I don't have access to the historical records but I am told this is the 10th record for the subregion. The bird wasn't found again during the weekend. However, compensation came in the form of a BROWN NODDY discovered at Rattray Point on Sunday. This is an incredibly rare species anywhere in the subregion and greatly desired by many! And in a similar trend, the bird has not yet been seen again since the initial sighting, but it should be noted that access to these sites is challenging, being highly dependent on weather and tides. Also present at the site were a supporting cast of 42 ROSEATE TERNS, 3 SAUNDERS'S TERNS (see photograph attached (c) Diane McLean), 30 DAMARA TERNS and 3 EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHERS.

Kind regards

Garret

[Garret Skead]

Dear SARBN subscribers

I've had an number of people letting me know that they did not receive the report this evening. I can't explain the technical gremlin, and if you already got it, kindly ignore and delete. Just trying again for those who didn't receive it.