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).

• Pink-backed Pelican.  Kleinpelikaan: two birds were at Elandsvlei, near Bapsfontein, an uncommon bird for Gauteng, 27 Oct 10 (PC).
• Southern Bald Ibis.  Kalkoenibis: this species was confirmed to be breeding at Rhenosterpoort Private Reserve which is adjacent to Ezemvelo NR in eastern Gauteng, when at least 6 nest sites were found, 16 Nov 10 (EM).
• African Pygmy-Goose.  Dwerggans: one bird was found at Mkhombo Dam, approx 100km north-east of Pretoria in Mpumalanga, 20 Nov 10 (NJ).
• European Honey-Buzzard.  Wespedief: one bird was present in the Kyalami area, 10 Nov 10 (RS); this species was present at Roodeplaat NR in pentad 2535_2820, 13 Dec 10 (MT).
• Black Harrier.  Witkruisvleivalk: one bird was observed in pentad 2620_2850 in the Eendrag area  on the eastern edge of Gauteng, 03 Aug 10 (CG).
  Corn Crake.  Kwartelkoning: one bird was flushed at Bullfrog Pan, Benoni, 24 Nov 10 (GLd).
• Spotted Crake.  Gevlekte Riethaan: this species was located at Mkhombo Dam, north-east of Pretoria, and was seen by several people during the course of the next 2 weeks, 02 Dec 10 (BLNG).
• Ruddy Turnstone.  Steenloper: a single bird was at Mkhombo Dam, an uncommon bird in the greater Gauteng region, 27 Nov 10 (BLNG).
• Double-banded Courser.  Dubbelbanddrawwertjie: an interesting record is of one bird in a field near Carletonville just beyond the western boundary of Gauteng in pentad 2615_2710, 31 Jul 10 (BP).

• Namaqua Sandgrouse.  Kelkiewyn: a group of birds - at times numbering over 10 - was observed over a period of a couple of weeks in the vicinity of pentad 2605_2720 which lies on the very western boundary of Gauteng near Carletonville, 11 Jul 10 (BP). In the ensuing weks up to 50 birds were seen in the same area by other birders.

• Broad-billed Roller.  Geelbektroupant: this species was a surprise find at Mutango Lodge just north of Roodeplaat Dam, 22 Nov 10 (MT).

• Sickle-winged Chat.  Vlaktespekvreter: a bird observed in pentad 2615_2710 on the western edge of Gauteng is most unusual as this is an arid country species normally associated with areas further west, 07 Aug 10 (EM).
  
  

• Black Stork.  Grootswartooievaar: a single bird was seen in area of highveld grassland east of Pretoria in pentad 2600_2840, 13 Dec 10 (PT,RF).
• African Cuckoo Hawk.  Koekoekvalk: this bird was found in the Vlaklaagte area east of Pretoria in pentad 2520_2850, 11 Sep 10 (PT,RF).
• Booted Eagle.  Dwergarend: one bird was seen soaring above Arcadia, Pretoria, and is an uncommon sighting for the city, 11 Nov 10 (RGy).
• Long-crested Eagle.  Langkuifarend: one bird was seen just south of Rayton, eastern Gauteng, 21 Nov 10 (LvD).
• Martial Eagle.  Breëkoparend: a juvenile bird was photographed at Rietvlei NR, 12 Sep 10 (CK).
• Black-chested Snake-Eagle.  Swartborsslangarend: a sighting of one bird in the grasslands north of Devon, east of Gauteng, is somewhat unusual, 18 Jul 10 (CG); with another record from this area of an immature bird in pentad 2625_2835 on the R550 between Nigel and Devon, 20 Nov 10 (CG).
• Pallid Harrier.  Witborsvleivalk: a male bird was observed in an area of grassland in pentad 2515_2850 on the north-eastern edge of Gauteng, 21 Nov 10 (PT,RF).
• Common Quail.  Afrikaanse Kwartel: a surprise sighting of an adult and juvenile bird in a garden in Clubview, Centurion, was made, 06 Oct 10 (TWe).
• Yellow-throated Sandgrouse.  Geelkeelsandpatrys: an interesting observation is of two adult birds with two chicks right next to the N4 in the vicinity of the turn off to Sun City, 19 Sep 10 (P&MC).
• Purple-crested Turaco.  Bloukuifloerie: another report of this species has been received from the Pretoria North area, this time of a successful breeding event , 01 Aug 10 (JHe).
• African Grass-Owl.  Grasuil: one bird was well seen at Elandsvlei in the Bapsfontein area, 03 Sep 10 (G&EC).
• Southern White-faced Scops-Owl.  Witwanguil: one bird was at a homestead at Elandsvlei, near Bapsfontein, an unusual locality for this species, 03 Sep 10 (G&EC).
• Verreaux's Eagle-Owl.  Reuse-ooruil: great views were had of a bird on a nest at Buffelsdrift in the Rust De Winter area, 31 Jul 10 (BLNG).

• Brown-hooded Kingfisher.  Bruinkopvisvanger: one bird in the Henley-on-Klip area of southern Gauteng is unusual for this species as it is not known from this region, 15 Aug 10 (LRo).
• Brown-backed Honeybird.  Skerpbekheuningvoël: during a bird walk at Faerie Glen NR in Pretoria this bird was a welcome find, 14 Aug 10 (BLNG).

• Banded Martin.  Gebande Oewerswael: a record of this species at Delta Park, Johannesburg, is most unusual and a first for SABAP2 in pentad 2605_2800, 28 Oct 10 (GLd); 2 birds recorded at Leeukop Prison, northern Johannesburg in pentad 2600_2800, is a first record for the area and somewhat out of range for the species, 27 Nov 10 (AM,RS).
• Dark-capped Yellow Warbler.  Geelsanger: one bird was ringed on a farm approximately 25km north of Pretoria and represents another new locality for this species, 27 Nov 10 (MK).
• Cuckoo Finch.  Koekoekvink: at least 7 birds, 3 males and 4 females, were observed feeding on the ground at Holhoek picnic site at Suikerbosrand NR, 11 Nov 10 (AM).
• Yellow Canary.  Geelkanarie: several birds seen in pentad 2515_2815 in the Hammanskraal area north of Pretoria represents another of several records of this species in the region, and appears to be showing a sustained eastern expansion of this species range, 24 Oct 10 (ST).