SARBN Thursday 16 October 2025

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Garret Skead

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Oct 16, 2025, 11:27:22 AM (13 days ago) Oct 16

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Dear SARBN subscribers

Herewith a summary of the rare birds seen in the subregion over the last few days.

In the Western Cape, the BLACK TERN was still on P7 at Strandfontein sewage works on Wednesday (last reported at 15:50). The SQUACCO HERON was still present near the Old Friends Hide at Rietvlei Wetland Reserve yesterday. The GULL-BILLED TERN was seen at Kliphoek Resort again on Tuesday (no subsequent confirmed reports). The roaming WHITE-HEADED VULTURE (presumably the same well-known individual) was seen soaring over Geelbek at the West Coast National Park on Monday, at -33.200, 18.135. A single LESSER STRIPED SWALLOW was seen on the Darling Hills Rd at -33.482, 18.345 on Tuesday. At least one AUSTRALASIAN GANNET was present at Bird Island, Lambert's Bay on Tuesday, and the RED KNOT was still at Hartenbos River estuary in Mossel Bay on Tuesday. A WHITE-FRONTED BEE-EATER was seen on a private farm (Klipbanksfontein) near the Gamka River, SW of Beaufort West on Tuesday.

Moving up to Kwazulu-Natal, the province delivered the fantastic record of a WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD on Tuesday. The bird was seen and videoed off Rocky Bay on the south coast from a fishing boat, and it doesn't seem as if any birders ever connected with the bird. Elsewhere in the province, the GREATER SAND PLOVER was still present at the St Lucia estuary mudflats today, and an identified Frigatebird sp. was reported from the area this afternoon. RUFOUS-BELLIED HERONS were also reported from Umbogavango Reserve on Wednesday, and at the Amazibu Hide at iSimangaliso Wetland Park yesterday. The GREEN SANDPIPER was also still in situ at Luleka Dan, Manyoni PGR today, and an AYRE'S HAWK EAGLE was seen flying over Mtubatuba this morning.

In Namibia, the NORTHERN CARMINE BEE-EATER was still present earlier today, as per my previous email. The long-staying ROSS'S TURACO was still present at Taranga Lodge yesterday.

And finally, in Zimbabwe, there were three CASPIAN PLOVERS at Bumi Harbour at Lake Kariba on Tuesday, and a SPUR-WINGED LAPWING was found at the Marimba Inlet, Lake Chivero Zvimba yesterday morning, at -17.915, 30.842.