Regional Rarities / Streeksrariteite

• Pink-backed Pelican.  Kleinpelikaan : a solitary bird at Rooiwal was a surprise find, 22 Apr 09 (DSo,LvD,RCo). Previously bred in the Pretoria area about 25-30 years ago and now very much a vagrant to the region.
• European Honey-Buzzard.  Wespedief : one bird was observed flying over the Kgomo-Kgomo floodplain whilst being harrassed by lapwings, 10 Apr 09 (A&AH).
• Black Harrier.  Witkruisvleivalk : a sighting of one bird was enjoyed in the grasslands in south-eastern Gauteng in pentads 2625_2845 and 2625_2850, 24 Jun 09 (LvD,RCo); with another bird sighted in this area, 02 Jul 09 (EM,PP).
• Bush Blackcap.  Rooibektiptol : a fascinating report of one bird came from a garden in Heidelberg, where the bird stayed for at least three weeks happily feeding on fruit put out for it, 24 Jun 09 (WW). There have been 3 or 4 previous records for Gauteng, and it is just possible that individuals (maybe young birds) may wander during winter in search of food.

• Yellow-bellied Greenbul.  Geelborswillie : a pair of birds was found near Rust de Winter township in an area where reports are becoming more regular, and confirming this species' spread southwards into Gauteng, 14 Jun 09 (PT,RF).
• Sickle-winged Chat.  Vlaktespekvreter : one very out of range bird was seen in pentad 2630_2840, 13 Jun 09 (NP); with another bird (the same one?) found in pentad 2630_2850, 02 Jul 09 (EM,PP). It is possible that is also a species that undertakes movements in winter into more favourable where food may be more readily available.

• Orange River White-eye.  Gariepglasogie : a couple of birds identified as this species on photographic evidence were seen in the same garden as the Bush Blackcap in Heidelberg, 02 Jul 09 (EM et al). The range of this species is only becoming known as more records come to light and it is quite likely that it occurs in much of southern Gauteng.

Other Interesting Observations / Ander Interessante Waarnemings

• South African Shelduck.  Kopereend : a group of 5 birds were at Rietvlei NR, a locality where this species is seldom observed, 08 Jul 09 (AW).
• Long-crested Eagle.  Langkuifarend : one bird was in the Branbach Conservancy area in pentad 2535_2835, 28 May 09 (AW); with another sighting of this species in the same pentad, 09 Jul 09 (PT,RF).
• Peregrine Falcon.  Swerfvalk : a sighting of an adult bird flying over Delta Park, Johannesburg, is an irregular occurrence at that locality, 29 Mar 09 (GLd).
• Kurrichane Buttonquail.  Bosveldkwarteltjie : one bird landed on the third floor balcony of a home in Groenkloof, Pretoria, after which it was given water and released in the nearby nature reserve the next morning, 22 Apr 09 (MKr).
• Blue Crane.  Bloukraanvoël : 2 birds were present in grassland adjacent to the Rhino & Lion Reserve in pentad 2555_2745, 01 May 09 (AM, JB); large flocks of Blue Cranes continue to be found in the grasslands near Devon in south-eastern Gauteng, with 142 birds in a single flock, 30 May 09 (CK,GH,PP); two birds were found in the Branbach Conservancy area, east of Pretoria, where they have reportedly bred this past summer, 05 Jul 09 (PT,RF). This species is uncommon outside of the regional stronghold in south-eastern Gauteng.
• African Finfoot.  Watertrapper : one bird was a surprise find at one of the dams at Northern Farm, 04 Jul 09 (GO et al).
• Blue Korhaan.  Bloukorhaan : at least one and possibly two different birds were heard at Bronkhorstspruit Dam NR, where this species has been recorded as a winter visitor, 17 May 09 (PT,RF).
• Jacobin Cuckoo.  Bontnuwejaarsvoël : an immature bird in Fourways Gardens, northern Johannesburg, was an unexpected garden visitor, 27 Apr 09 (AM).
• Freckled Nightjar.  Donkernaguil : the call of this species was heard in suburban Groenkloof in the early evening, 09 Apr 09 (MKr).
• Pink-billed Lark.  Pienkbeklewerik : large numbers were observed feeding in a burnt field in grasslands in the Devon area, 09 Jul 09 (EM,PP).
• Chestnut-vented Tit-Babbler.  Bosveldtjeriktik : a solitary bird was seen in Delta Park during the course of a few weeks, an uncommon bird for suburban Johannesburg, 30 Jun 09 (GLd).
• Dark-capped Yellow Warbler.  Geelsanger : this species was seen in riverside vegetation along the Osspruit near Welbekend in pentad 2555_2830, 08 Mar 09 (PT,RF); at least one bird was present at Rietvlei NR during the SABAP2 gathering there when it was reported by a number of people, 03 May 09 (SABAP2); one bird was in pentad 2535_2835, east of Pretoria, this being another new locailty for this species, 05 Jul 09 (PT,RF).  A species that has seemingly extended its range into parts of Gauteng since the data collection period of the last atlas project, nearly 20 years ago.
• Wattled Starling.  Lelspreeu : a male bird was recorded for the first time in a Waverley, Pretoria, garden, 27 Apr 09 (ER).
• Cut-throat Finch.  Bandkeelvink : 6 birds were observed in pentad 2555_2835, further south than usual for this species, 12 May 09 (PT,RF).

Observers / Waarnemers:

Adrian & Amanda Haagner (A&AH)

Amanda Walden (AW)

André Marx (AM)

Clive Kaplan (CK)

Dave Sole (DSo)

Ernst Retief (ER)

Etienne Marais (EM)

Gareth Hazell (GH)

Geoff Lockwood (GLd)

Gisela Ortner (GO)

John Bannon (JB)

Lisl van Deventer (LvD)

Margarita Krusche (MKr)

Niall Perrins (NP)

Pat Tattersal (PT)

Phil Penlington (PP)

Roger Fieldwick (RF)

Rynetta Coetzee (RCo)

SABAP2 participants (SABAP2)

Wollie Wolmarans (WW)

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 space availability and 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