SA Rare Bird News Report - 30 October 2025
Trevor Hardaker
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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 | |||||||||
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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 18h00 on Thursday, 30 October 2025.
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.
None of the records included in this report have undergone any adjudication process with any of the subregion’s Rarities Committees, so inclusion in this report does not constitute any official confirmation of the particular record. Observers are still encouraged to make the necessary submissions accordingly.
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 https://groups.google.com/g/sa-rarebirdnews |
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Starting in the Western Cape, it was all about lingerers with the EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHER still at Seeberg in the West Coast National Park this morning, at least one RED-NECKED PHALAROPE still at Kliphoek Salt Pans in Velddrif yesterday, the BAILLON’S CRAKE still at Paardevlei at -34.089, 18.814 on Tuesday, the 2 KNOB-BILLED DUCKS still at the Champagne Street Dams in Wellington at -33.646, 18.973 on Tuesday and at least one GREATER SAND PLOVER still at the Keurbooms River estuary in Plettenberg Bay earlier today.
In the Eastern Cape, there was some local surprize when a SQUACCO HERON was found in Camdeboo National Park at -32.196, 24.503 yesterday while the widely-wandering HOODED VULTURE was also reported again yesterday near the second turn-off to Kirkwood on the R75. | |||||||||
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Greater Sand Plover at the Keurbooms River estuary © Pieter Schoeman | Squacco Heron in Camdeboo National Park © Gigi Laidler | ||||||||
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Over in Kwazulu Natal, there were 7 juvenile GREATER FLAMINGOS on Southbroom beach on Tuesday afternoon.
Gauteng held on to the SLATY EGRET which was still at Gnu Valley farm this morning. | |||||||||
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Greater Flamingos at Southbroom beach © Kate Clarence | Slaty Egret at Gnu Valley farm © Danny Hitge | ||||||||
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Slaty Egret at Gnu Valley farm © Pieter Heslinga | |||||||||
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Into Mpumalanga where the action was centred in the Kruger National Park with at least one PINK-BACKED PELICAN still at Mlondozi Dam yesterday and the GREEN SANDPIPER still along the S3 at -24.989, 31.467 earlier today. | |||||||||
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Green Sandpiper along the S3 road © Carel van Heerden | Green Sandpiper along the S3 road © Mario Paul | ||||||||
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Up in Namibia, at least 7 PALE-THROATED GREENBULS (aka YELLOW-THROATED LEAFLOVES) were present in the gardens of Caprivi River Lodge in Katima Mulilo yesterday afternoon with at least 3 individuals still there this morning.
And finally, in Mozambique, there was some excitement when a mega MADAGASCAR CUCKOO was found about 10km west of Mabote at -22.076, 34.074 on Tuesday, probably only the 28th record for Southern Africa, while, close by, a GULL-BILLED TERN was found at Lake Banamana, about 20km west of Mabote, on Tuesday as well. Also of interest, no fewer than 7 EURASIAN OYSTERCATCHERS were present on Benguerra Island this morning. | |||||||||
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Madagascar Cuckoo west of Mabote © Darren Pietersen | Eurasian Oystercatchers on Benguerra Island © Alistair Kilpin | ||||||||
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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 | |||||||||
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TREVOR HARDAKER Cape Town, South Africa |
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