Compiled by André Marx

The summer started off with a bang when a few really good rarities popped up in the region, with probably the biggest being the remarkable find of a Collared Flycatcher in a suburban garden in Randburg; this is probably the biggest twitch in Gauteng for a number of years with a few hundred birders from all over the country managing to see and photograph it. Other excellent local rarities included Black-tailed Godwit at Marievale and African Skimmer at Mkhombo Dam.

National Rarities / Nationalerariteite

• Black-tailed Godwit. Swartstertgriet: one bird located at Marievale on 23 Dec 2012 remained at the locality for a few weeks when many birders managed to see it (SR).
• Pectoral Sandpiper. Geelpootstrandloper: up to 3 birds were present at various times at Mkhombo Dam from 30 Sep to the time of this report at end Dec 2012 (Gbird); at various times from 23 Nov 2012 at least two birds were at Kgomo-Kgomo when a number of birders reported this species (Gbird).
• Green Sandpiper. Witgatruiter: a single bird was seen along the Jukskei River in Waterfall Estate, Midrand, where it was present for several weeks, 3 Nov 2012 (RS); one bird was at Northern Farm once again, 11 Nov 2012 (DV).