Compiled by André Marx

National Rarities / Nasionale Rariteite 

• Lesser Black-backed Gull.  Kleinswartrugmeeu: a lone bird was spotted about 8-10km north-east of Kriel, Mpumalanga, next to a small wetland, 31 Jul 09 (AH).

Regional Rarities / Streeksrariteite

• Wire-tailed Swallow.  Draadstertswael: 2 birds were in pentad 2510_2920 just south of Groblersdal, 29 Jul 09 (RGy). SABAP2 atalsing records have shown that this species occurs further west than previously known, and while this locality does not quite fall within the 100km radius to qualify as a regional rarity, it is a bird to look out for locally.

Other Interesting Observations / Ander Interessante Waarnemings

• Black-necked Grebe.  Swartnekdobbertjie: a sighting of this species at Vaalkop Dam, North West Province, is very unusual, 15 Aug 09 (F&RP).
• White Stork.  Witooievaar: a sighting of 28 birds in a burnt field just south of Bapsfontein on the R51 is unusual for the time of year, 07 Aug 09 (AH).
• South African Shelduck.  Kopereend: a male bird was present for a while at Centurion Lake, an unusual occurrence, 08 Aug 09 (MG).
• White-backed Vulture.  Witrugaasvoël: one bird was spotted in the Pilanesberg near the Tlou and Thutlwa Rivers, apparently after a long period of absence, 23 Aug 09 (TW). Thea reports that one thought regarding this species' rarity in the Pilanesberg is that as a result of the topography, thermals used by the vultures to take off are absent or not strong enough; others say that it's due to the farming practices in the surrounding area.
• Yellow-billed Kite.  Geelbekwou: a bird at Suikerbosrand on this day is an early record, 16 Aug 09 (PT,RF).
• Lizard Buzzard.  Akkedisvalk: a single bird was in pentad 2515_2825 on the Uitvlugt road, near Rust De Winter, 02 Aug 09 (PT,RF).
• Ovambo Sparrowhawk.  Ovambosperwer: one bird was at Derdepoort Recreation Centre, Pretoria, 20 Jul 09 (ER).
• Black Sparrowhawk.  Swartsperwer: one bird was observed in the vicinity of the St. George's Hotel, Centurion, when it was seen flying over the R21 freeway, 26 May 09 (PW); a breeding pair of birds were first observed at Cumberland Bird Sanctuary in Bryanston, Joburg, 01 Aug 09 (AM,ED,JB).

• African Harrier-Hawk.  Kaalwangvalk: one bird was present in a Wierda Park garden and was seen again a few days later, 01 Jul 09 (PW); one bird was a first sighting for pentad 2605_2805 in the Edenvale area, 22 Jul 09 (BG); a bird flying leisurely at tree height in an Eldoraigne garden near the R101/Saxby intersection was observed , 23 Aug 09 (CV); with another sighting in the same area being reported, of possibly the same bird, 23 Aug 09 (JP); a breeding pair were at Cumberland Bird Sanctuary, Bryanston, 2 Sep 09 (AM, SO). More suburban records of this species, which has become established in parts of Gauteng.
• Peregrine Falcon.  Swerfvalk: one bird was observed circling over a house in Moreleta Park, Pretoria, 21 Jun 09 (FP).
• Blue Crane.  Bloukraanvoël: two birds were a surprise find in pentad 2550_2755 in the Rhenosterspruit Conservancy, south-west of Pretoria, 13 Aug 09 (JB).
• White-bellied Korhaan.  Witpenskorhaan: three birds were at Rietvlei NR, where this species is occasionally still found, 17 Jul 09 (NJ).
• Blue Korhaan.  Bloukorhaan: two birds were heard calling from separate locations in pentad 2600_2840 south of Waaikraal, which lies to the east of Pretoria, 30 Aug 09 (PT,RF).
• African Green-Pigeon.  Papegaaiduif: a group of birds was observed in a Riviera, Pretoria, garden, 29 Aug 09 (E&MdV).
• Rose-ringed Parakeet.  Ringnekparkiet: a pair of birds was a first record at a garden feeder in Valhalla, Centurion, 25 Aug 09 (LK).
• Klaas's Cuckoo.  Meitjie: a bird heard and seen at Roodeplaat Dam NR is an early migrant record, 17 Jul 09 (ER).
• Giant Kingfisher.  Reusevisvanger: one bird was a surprise sighting on a balcony of a home in Midstream Estate, Centurion, 25 Aug 09 (DvR).
• Brown-backed Honeybird.  Skerpbekheuningvoël: one bird was in pentad 2555_2835 west of Bronkhorstspruit Dam, an area where it is seldom observed, 23 Aug 09 (PT,RF); a good sighting of one bird was had at Random Harvest Nursery, Muldersdrift, during the club outing there, 05 Sep 09 (BLNG).
• Fork-tailed Drongo.  Mikstertbyvanger: one bird was a first visitor to a garden in Queenswood, Pretoria, with two birds being observed just a few days later, 23 Jul 09 (TB).
• Short-toed Rock-Thrush.  Korttoonkliplyster: one bird of the race pretoriae was in pentad 2550_2750 in the Kalkheuwel area, west of Pretoria, 04 Aug 09 (JB).
• Common Fiscal.  Fiskaallaksman: a bird of the race subcoronatus showing a white supercilium was seen at Northern Farm, south-west of Pretoria, 10 Aug 09 (BG).
• Red-billed Oxpecker.  Rooibekrenostervoël: 4 birds were observed on some horses in pentad 2515_2825 on the Uitvlugt loop road, near Rust De Winter, 02 Aug 09 (PT,RF).
• Yellow-throated Petronia.  Geelvlekmossie: one bird was observed as a first time visitor to a garden in Pretoria North, 13 Sep 09 (N&IR).
• African Firefinch.  Kaapse Vuurvinkie: a pair of birds was seen east of Welbekend at the Osspruit in pentad 2550_2830, rather far south for this species, 10 Aug 09 (PT,RF).

Observers / Waarnemers:

Adrian Haagner (AH)

André Marx (AM)

BirdLife Northern Gauteng members (BLNG)

Bryan Groom (BG)

Carel Viljoen (CV)

Drinie van Rensburg (DvR)

Eran Dvir (ED)

Erik & Mieke de Villiers (E&MdV)

Ernst Retief (ER)

Faansie & Ronel Peacock (F&RP)

Faansie Peacock (FP)

Jaco Pretorius (JP)

John Bannon (JB)

Leon Kay (LK)

Michal Groenewald (MG)

Neels & Ingrid Roos (N&IR)

Neels Jackson (NJ)

Pat Tattersal (PT)

Peter Wilgenbus (PW)

Rihann Geyser (RGy)

Roger Fieldwick (RF)

Sue Oertli (SO)

Thalia Barnes (TB)

Thea Wooding (TW)

This column is mainly concerned with observations of rarities and interesting sightings made within a 100km radius of Pretoria, however observations made further afield are also welcome. While the majority of reports are included it is sometimes necessary to exclude some depending on whether the subject matter has already been well reported. Occasionally records are sourced from the Internet. All are encouraged to complete rarities documentation for regional and national rarities. Members are invited to submit details of sightings to Pauline Leinberger at 012 807-6898, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or to André Marx at 083 411 7674, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it