SA Rare Bird News Report - 22 October 2015

[Trevor Hardaker]

 

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This is the Southern African Rare Bird News Report issued at 20h00 on Thursday, 22 October 2015. 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
Starting in the Western Cape, the PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET was still present in Beaufort West yesterday hanging around in the trees near the NG Church and SAPS station whilst a colony of SOUTH AFRICAN CLIFF SWALLOWS was also discovered yesterday near Three Sisters just inside the province. This latter record is a bit of a provincial mega considering there are only probably a handful of previous records ever for the province.   Up in Kwazulu Natal, a GREEN SANDPIPER was located at Darvill Bird Sanctuary in Pietermaritzburg yesterday along the river below the outlet whilst, also yesterday, a DARK CHANTING GOSHAWK was located in Mkhuze Game Reserve and a RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER was reported from Pongola Nature Reserve.   Over in Mpumalanga, both the LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL and a single CASPIAN PLOVER were still present at Mkhombo Dam earlier today whilst the BLACK-TAILED GODWIT remained there until at least Tuesday.   In the North-west Province, a PENNANT-WINGED NIGHTJAR was reported just west of Tau Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve on Monday.   Up in Limpopo Province, the RUPPELL'S VULTURE was also still present at the nest site in Blouberg Nature Reserve on Tuesday. According to locals, the chicks are quite large now and are expected to fledge within the next couple of weeks, so if you are still thinking about trying for this bird, you would be wise to do it sooner, rather than later.   And finally, in Namibia, a male PENNANT-WINGED NIGHTJAR was seen around at the lights at Hobatere Lodge late on Tuesday night, well out of range for this species.
Dark Chanting Goshawk at Mkhuze Game Reserve © Dominic Rollinson
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 -----------------------------------------------------------------------   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: www.hardaker.co.za     ZEST for BIRDS Pelagics, rarity photos, listing clubs and more: www.zestforbirds.co.za     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 www.rarities.co.za -------------------------------------------------------------