SA Rare Bird News Report - 11 October 2012
Trevor Hardaker
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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h00 on Thursday, 11 October 2012. 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 in finding out what has been seen in the past, previous reports can be viewed at http://groups.google.co.za/group/sa-rarebirdnews | ||
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Starting in Namibia, the BLACK SKIMMER remained the main attraction right up until Tuesday evening still showing well to all those who chased it, but at first light on Wednesday morning, it was nowhere to be found and has not been reported since. However, Walvis Bay still had a few other attractions which have remained on view like the AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER at the lagoon and several RED-NECKED and a single RED PHALAROPE out at the salt works. Just a little way to the north, Mile 4 Salt Works near Swakopmund still has its famous partially leucistic COMMON REDSHANK as well. | ||
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Black Skimmer at Walvis Bay © Niall Perrins | ||
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American Golden Plover at Walvis Bay © Niall Perrins | Black Skimmer at Walvis Bay © John Paterson | |
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Red-necked Phalarope (rear) and Red Phalarope (front) at Walvis Bay © Niall Perrins | Common Redshank at Mile 4 Salt Works © Niall Perrins | |
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In the Western Cape, the ABDIM’S STORK was still showing well near Arniston on Tuesday.
The Eastern Cape’s best offer came in the form of a BROWN SNAKE EAGLE which was reported flying over the Lawrence de Lange Nature Reserve just north of Queenstown on Tuesday.
Moving into Kwazulu Natal, the most interesting record is of 2 inland BAR-TAILED GODWITS at Midmar Dam near Howick during this week. They are apparently in the Thurlow Game Park section of Midmar (Entrance on the Underberg Rd.) in an inlet past the second causeway.
And finally, in Mpumalanga, a GREEN SANDPIPER was located on a sandback opposite Skukuza in the Kruger National Park earlier today whilst, also in the park, the SOUTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVERS have been found again at Crocodile Bridge. The 2 BAR-TAILED GODWITS reported from Mkhombo Dam recently were also still present today. | ||
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Brown Snake Eagle near Queenstown © Tertius Gous | Bar-tailed Godwits at Midmar Dam © Karin Nelson | |
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Southern Brown-throated Weaver at Crocodile Bridge © Victor Soares | Bar-tailed Godwits at Mkhombo Dam © Jason Boyce | |
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Please remember to send through your details to be included on the various listing clubs that are hosted at www.zestforbirds.co.za. This website also has an extensive rarities gallery that has many additional photos of a number of rarities that are mentioned in these reports. | ||
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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. | ||
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Kind regards Trevor | ||
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TREVOR HARDAKER Cape Town, South Africa
Follow our local exploits in the field at: http://hardakerwildlife.wordpress.com/
See our photos and trip reports at:
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SA RARE BIRD NEWS Get the latest rarity news by joining at: http://groups.google.co.za/group/sa-rarebirdnews
SOUTHERN AFRICAN RARITIES Online database of all SA rarities ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | ||
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