SA Rare Bird Report - 31 May 2024
Justin Rhys Nicolau
Good morning,
Thanks again to all of those who have sent through any reports or updates over the last few weeks. Trevor is now back home and reporting will continue as usual from today onwards, so please forward any further news and updates to him directly.
MOZAMBIQUE
A single African (Black) Oystercatcher, was reported from Dunes de Dovela between Inhambane and Inharrime on the 29th of May.
WESTERN CAPE
A Dusky Sunbird was reported from the Milnerton Race Course section of the Table Bay Nature Reserve on the 23rd of May and was still present on the 25th of May. On the same day, a Franklin’s Gull was photographed at dam next to the R304 near the Cape Winelands Airport but was never relocated and the Eurasian Oystercatcher was again photographed at the Keurboomsriver. On the 26th of May, two White-fronted Bee-eaters were seen at the Bontebok National Park rest camp. A single immature African Jacanawas found near the Riverside Campsite, near Kleinbrak (-34.057 22.121) on the 27th of May, and although probably the best general area in the province for the species, an African Cuckoo Hawk was reported from near the Groot and Kleinbrak Rivers at -33.947 22.108. On the 28th of May, a single Squacco Heron was located on the Steenberg Golf Course and more recently, a Marsh Owl was showing well on Wednesday at Rietvlei once again. Perhaps the least exciting news was that of a Common Myna which was photographed at Seapoint, at -33.906 18.399 yesterday. I see no prior records on SABAP2 for this species within the province.
GAUTENG
A rather interesting record yesterday of a single Orange River White-eye from Kloofendal Nature Reserve at -26.136 27.882, a species which is usually present in the southern reaches of the province.
NORTH-WEST
A pair of Southern Bald Ibis were located on the 19th of May at -26.938 26.731 in Orkney, a rather tough bird for the province, and it appears not to be the first pair to have been present in this town during the winter months.
FREE STATE
A Southern White-faced Owl was located in Reitz on the 21st of May, and according to SABAP2, appears to have very few records in the surrounding area. On the 24th of May, a pair of Red-billed Oxpeckers were reported from Rus-my-Siel (-28.114 26.701), just outside of Welkom, a species with a seemingly limited distribution in the province. They had apparently been present for at least 2 weeks prior.
MPUMALANGA
Two Fairy Flycatchers were present on the private access Likweti Bushveld Farm Estate in White River on the 25th of May. On the 29th of May, at least three Chestnut-banded Plovers were still present at Leeupan.
EASTERN CAPE
The Common Redshank was still present in Coega, outside of Port Elizabeth, on the 20th of May. No subsequent reports have come through recently, positive or negative.
KWAZULU-NATAL
A single Eurasian Oystercatcher was reported from Jabula beach, St Lucia on Sunday and another from the general St Lucia area on the 28th of May, which is likely of the same individual.
