Regional Rarities / Streeksrariteite

Other Interesting Observations / Ander Interessante Waarnemings

• Dwarf Bittern. Dwergrietreier: one bird was found on a small pan within the town of Masobe near Pienaarsrivier, in pentad 2505_2825, 10 Apr 10 (ER,ST).
• South African Shelduck. Kopereend: a female bird in the company of a group of White-faced Ducks was in pentad 2555_2820 in the Bashewa area near Bapsfontein, 05 Jun 10 (ST).
• Ayres's Hawk-Eagle. Kleinjagarend: an immature bird of what was most likely this species was photographed in Parys, Free State, 25 May 10 (DdP).

• Long-crested Eagle. Langkuifarend: one bird was seen flying over the Klipriviersberg to the south of Johannesburg, a new locality, 07 Mar 10 (LRo); two birds were observed soaring in pentad 2600_2800 in the Kyalami area, 03 Apr 10 (RS); whilst driving west along Johan Rissik Drive, Pretoria, this bird was observed overhead, 13 Apr 10 (IvH).
• Southern Pale Chanting Goshawk. Bleeksingvalk: a bird seen in pentad 2502_2820 whilst atlasing north of Pienaarsrivier is an unusual bird for the area, 30 Jul 10 (ER,ST).
• African Harrier-Hawk. Kaalwangvalk: two birds, an adult and a juvenile, were present at Delta Park, Johannesburg over a period of a few weeks, 07 Jul 10 (GLd); an adult bird was seen in the vicinity of the Pick 'n Pay in Faerie Glen, Pretoria, 22 Jul 10 (EH); one bird was photographed whilst flying overhead in the area of the Hennops River near the Ben Schoeman freeway in Centurion, 25 Jul 10 (RH).

• African Finfoot. Watertrapper: one bird was a welcome sighting on the Hartbeesspruit north of Cullinan, 08 Jun 10 (RdM).
• Burchell's Courser. Bloukopdrawwertjie: several birds were in a peanut field 35km south-west of Delareyville, 19 Jun 10 (CK,DD).
• Caspian Tern. Reusesterretjie: two birds were at Rust De Winter Dam, where they are seldom observed, 16 Jul 10 (EM).
• African Green-Pigeon. Papegaaiduif: two birds seen in Monument Park, Pretoria, is a first sighting there in 22 years, 21 May 10 (F&AvV).
• Purple-crested Turaco. Bloukuifloerie: an interesting sighting is of one bird in a well-treed Faerie Glen, Pretoria, garden, 16 May 10 (EH,HN). There are occasional records in the Pretoria area, usually of solitary birds, and while it cannot be ruled out that they are wanderers from the Lowveld, they are more likely to be escaped birds from collections.

• Fiery-necked Nightjar. Afrikaanse Naguil: The call of this species was heard at dusk in the Kyalami area, 03 Apr 10 (RS).
• Striped Kingfisher. Gestreepte Visvanger: this species was heard from a stand of wattle trees on the northern side of Bronkhortspruit Dam and is unusual for the area, 28 Mar 10 (PLe).
• Brown-backed Honeybird. Skerpbekheuningvoël: a record of this species in their garden in Monument Park, Pretoria, is a first , 20 May 10 (F&AvV).
• Short-clawed Lark. Kortkloulewerik: this species was present in Faan Meintjies NR, near Klerksdorp, NW Province, a new locality for it, 19 Jun 10 (CK,DD).
• Olive-tree Warbler. Olyfboomsanger: one bird responded to a tape recording of its call in the Klipriviersberg NR, south of Johannesburg, very far south for this species, 28 Feb 10 (LRo).
• Crimson-breasted Shrike. Rooiborslaksman: a fair number of these birds appear to be resident in the well preserved bush at Leeukop Prison in the northern edge of Joburg with birds being found again here, 30 Jun 10 (AM,RS).
• Grey-headed Bush-Shrike. Spookvoël: a record of this species in pentad 2555_2820 in the Bashewa area near Bapsfontein is unusual, 05 Jun 10 (ST).
• Red-billed Oxpecker. Rooibekrenostervoël: a very unusual garden bird comes in the form of at least 5 birds seen over two days flying overhead in a garden in Fourways, Johannesburg, 31 Mar 10 (M&HR).

Observers / Waarnemers:

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 André Marx at 083 411 7674, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it