Compiled by André Marx

The heavy rains during late December and January resulted in a change in conditions in many wetlands throughout the region, with reports of flooding in many areas, and the consequent increase in reports of rain migrants. It has been a good summer for migrant species generally, with a spate of very interesting national and regional rarities occurring in the region, as highlighted in this report. Please continue to send any records, and if you are unsure about its 'rarity status' just ask and I will send you the list of regional rarities for the greater Gauteng region.

National Rarities / Nationale Rariteite

• Eurasian Bittern. Grootrietreier : the booming call of this species was heard at Marievale during the CWAC count there and is a significant observation as it confirms the continued presence of this bird at this site, 30 Jan 2011 (BPR).
• Western Marsh-Harrier. Europese Vleivalk : one bird was at Marievale, a regular locality for this species, 15 Jan 2011 (NP); a female bird was present at the Kgomo-Kgomo floodplain, 13 Mar 2011 (NP).

Compiled by André Marx

This summer has started off with a spate of rarity records in the region with excellent reports coming in from interesting localities like Mkhombo Dam.  Several regional rarities have been recorded during SABAP2 atlassing efforts, an indication of how going deep in a pentad can turn up some special birds.

• Pectoral Sandpiper.  Geelpootstrandloper: at first one and then a second bird was present at Mkhombo Dam, north-east of Pretoria, 27 Nov 10 (MG and others).