Southern African Rare Bird News Thursday 28 July 2022

[Garret Skead]

Dear SARBN subscribers

Today we start with Namibia for a change, where there have been some exciting records in recent days. Firstly, the long-staying mega ROSS'S TURACO is still hanging around at Taranga Lodge, where it was seen again on Tuesday. Another surprise at Taranga lodge was a THICK-BILLED CUCKOO, for which there is only one other record for Namibia on SABAP2, and seems to be a very rare bird for the country, and an unusual time of year for it. Another interesting record was that of a pair of BLACK-EARED SEEDEATERS seen about 79km west of Divundu, at -18.061, 20.806. This may represent a first record of this species for the country. See photo attached (c) Justin Nicolau. And finally, a retraction on my report from last Monday. Apparently there was only one Egyptian Vulture seen at Etosha. I haven't seen the photos but I have been informed that the identification of the claimed juvenile bird has been revised and corrected.

In the Eastern Cape, the SNOWY SHEATHBILL was still present at St Croix Island in Algoa Bay on Tuesday.

In Limpopo, after an absence of two days, the WOOD WARBLER was seen again this morning at Sefapane lodge. I have been sent this description, which may assist birders: "the bird has been in the fever trees closest to the pond which is next to the main road running past the lodge. Just across the first bridge from the parking area. This is also the bridge closest to the main road". Thank you to Quentin Green for this description. I've also received an update now at 5pm, that the bird is still present, at -23.952, 31.151.

In Mpumalanga, two AFRICAN SKIMMERS were seen at Mjejane dam yesterday, and three eggs were observed. A CAPE ROBIN-CHAT was seen from the Lower Sabie deck in Kruger on Wednesday.

In the Free State, at least two SWALLOW-TAILED BEE-EATERS were seen close to Vereeniging yesterday, at -26.776, 27.969.

In Gauteng, an AYRES' HAWK EAGLE was seen over the University of Pretoria campus on Tuesday morning.

In Kwazulu-Natal, a RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON was seen on the Pan Loop, St Lucia, yesterday.

In the Northern Cape, a somewhat out of range ORANGE RIVER FRANCOLIN was seen yesterday near Hanover, at -31.082, 24.353.

And finally, in the Western Cape, a NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS and SPECTACLED PETREL were seen on a pelagic trip from Simon's Town on Tuesday. See photos attached (c) Gerald Wingate and Vanessa Stephen. In Mossel Bay, one DARK-CAPPED BULBUL was still present yesterday, at -34.154, 22.103, and two AFRICAN RED-EYED BULBULS were seen on a private farm near Op die Berg last Friday, and a SQUACCO HERON was seen yesterday morning on the western side of Rondevlei, on the Garden Route. FULVOUS WHISTLING DUCKS remain bountiful.

Kind regards

Garret