1 1 2 ~ Rare Birds in South Africa 1993–1995 ~ ~ Rare Birds in South Africa 1993–1995 ~ 2 3 3 Ninth Report of the BirdLife South Africa Rarities Committee 4 1995 (M.W. & E. Fraser and many South Africa (January–April) and 4 5 P.A.R. Hockey and the Rarities Committee other observers). This individual both are from the north-eastern 5 6 provided spectacular close-up views parts of the country. The date and 6 7 The operations of the Rarities Committee are sponsored by Syfrets. Their support has ensured the as it cruised only a few metres away location of the present record sug- 7 8 Committee’s smooth running and we are very grateful for their interest in its activities. from viewing points. It is probably gest a case of reversed migration. 8 9 also the only rarity in South Africa 222 White-winged Flufftail 9 10 uring this review period, Jouanin’s Petrel was recorded for waters are fair game and, as increasing numbers of birders that has ever had a price tag put on Sarothrura ayresi. Two birds heard 10 11 Dthe first time in southern Africa. The review period also saw the pass the magical 800 mark, offshore waters are becoming visited it (see Birding SA 47: 92–93)! and seen at Coleford Nature 11 12 first South African records of Rock Pratincole, Collared Palm Thrush more often as a way of adding new species to saturated lists! 052 Brown Booby Sula Reserve, Underberg (Natal) on 27 12 13 and Blue-throated Sunbird. Other species that have been recorded Although we can make reasonable predictions as to what species are leucogaster. One flying along the and 28 Decem­ber 1984 (W. Howe). 13 14 fewer than five times previously include Brown Booby, Lesser likely to occur close to the 200-mile limit, in many cases beach at Port Shepstone (Natal) on 243 European Oyster­catcher 14 15 Frigatebird, Slaty Egret, Eleonora’s Falcon, Buff-breasted Sandpiper we have little idea as to whether they will be regular or sufficiently 6 January 1994 Haematopus ostralegus. One bird 15 16 and European Reed Warbler. rare to warrant retaining on the rarities list. These species (M. Neeth­ling). The last record of with a group of 20 African Black 16 17 this species in South Africa was at Oystercatchers Haema­topus 17 The Committee during the review period comprised Digby Cyrus, include Dark-mantled Sooty Albatross, Audubon’s, Flesh-footed and Greater Frigatebird (immature), Nature’s valley J.l. Du plessis 18 Richard Grant (Secretary), Phil Hockey (Chairman), Wedge-tailed shearwaters, White-bellied Storm Petrel, Sod­wana Bay (Natal) moquini 20 km east of the Sun­days 18 19 in March 1988. River estuary (E. Cape) on 26 19 Clive Hopcroft, John Isom, Mostert Kriek, Peter Ryan, Ian Sinclair and Greater Frigatebird, Sooty Tern and Red-tailed Tropicbird. Africa, the first being of a single 20 054 Australian Gannet Morus January 1995 (J.J. Watson). 20 Tony Tree. We are grateful to the many people who have Already, there is probably sufficient evidence to drop the latter three male east of Inham­bane, 21 serrator. One adult in the Cape Mozambique, in 1990. 253a American Golden 21 provided expert ‘outside opinion’: Jim Enticott deserves special men- from the list – all can be seen fairly easily off the coast 22 Gannet M. capensis colony 070 Slaty Egret Egretta Plover Pluvialis dominica. One 22 tion for his regular screening of seabird records. of Mozambique. 23 at Bird Island, Algoa Bay vinaceigula. One bird at Vaal­kop juvenile at Wadrif Salt Pan (W. 23 As South African birders are starting to spread their wings However, until we have sufficient information about their 24 (E. Cape) from 9–11 November 1994 Dam (N. Tvl) on 15 Jan­uary 1994 (C. Cape) from 6–20 March 1994 24 further and further seawards, a new potential problem looms on the abundances, these species will remain on the list and all sightings 25 (N.J. Adams, N. Klages). There are & G.H. Pat­ten) was seen again on (J. Ros­souw and many other 25 26 metaphorical horizon that coincides closely with the outermost limits should be submitted. Other seabirds have ‘fallen off’ the list in three Cape Gannet colonies in 30 January 1994 (K. Logan, observ­ers). One juvenile at Dyer 26 27 of territorial waters (200 nautical miles offshore). In terms the past and more may do so in future, but it is your observations that South Africa, and Australian R. Searle, D. Hare­bottle). The type Island (W. Cape) on 27 28 of adding species to your South/southern African list, these help the Committee make these decisions. Gannets have been reported from specimen of Slaty Egret was col- 17 March 1995 (P. Whitting­ton). A 28 Slaty Egret, Vaalkop dam W. bell 29 all of them in recent years. Most lected at Potchefstroom in 1895. post-breeding adult bird was pres- 29 30 records are from Malgas Island, The next South African record was 1994 (G. Brönn). ent at the southern end of 30 31 systematic list of accepted records Saldanha Bay (W. Cape). of a bird on the Nyl River flood- 130 Honey Buzzard Pernis Langebaan Lagoon (W. Cape) on 12 31 32 061 Greater Frigatebird plain from April to September­ apivorus. One adult at Grey­ling­stad September 1993 (J. Ros­souw, T.M. 32 33 Note: The atlas region for each well-developed brood patches and Puffinus lherminieri. Two birds 190 exhausted adult was found alive on Fregata minor. One immature 1989. The Vaal­kop Dam record is (S. Tvl) on 22 January 1994 (J.M. Boucher). However, it could not be 33 34 record is included in parentheses. it is possible that there is a small, nautical miles east of Ponto do Oro, a road at Cape Recife (E. Cape) on ashore at Nature’s Valley thus the second sighting of Slaty Kriek). determined whether this 34 35 The atlas regions are based on previously undetected (and unsus- Mozambique, on 22 May 1984 (A. 10 April 1994. The bird was taken (E. Cape) on 26 December 1994 (J.L. Egret in South Africa this century. 177 Eleonora’s Falcon Falco latter bird was an American 35 36 the old provincial boundaries. pected!), breeding population of Marchant). into captivity and nursed back to du Plessis). 120 Egyptian Vulture eleonorae. One pale phase bird or Pacific Golden Plover and the 36 37 It is anticipated that the this species in South Africa. 041 Wedge-tailed health. It was ringed 922 Lesser Frigatebird Neophron percnopterus. One adult hunting at the southern end of record is accepted only 37 38 Southern African Bird Atlas will XXX Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria Shearwater Puffinus pacificus. on 25 May (ring number 662994) Fregata ariel. Four birds in Vilan­ at Kumana Dam, near Satara, Langebaan Lagoon (W. Cape) on as a ‘Lesser Golden Plover’ 38 39 be published before the next fallax. One 180 km east of One found alive on the beach and released eight km east of culos Bay, Mozambique, on 28 Kruger National Park (Lowveld) on 11 March 1995 (P.G. Ryan). The sensu lato. 39 40 Rarities Committee report; future Inhambane, Mozam­bique, on 31 between Riet River and Black Rock, Durban on 23 July, at which point it March 1994 in the 29 April 1994 main non-breeding grounds of 253b Pacific Golden Plover 40 41 reports will no longer contain December 1991 (J.C. Sinclair). This near Port Alfred (E. Cape) on flew off strongly in a north-easterly wake of Cyclone ‘Nadia’ (A. & N. Routledge). One subadult Eleonora’s Falcon are in Pluvialis fulva. One juvenile at 41 42 details of atlas regions. is the first record of this species in 30 December 1993 (S. Macleod, A.P. direction (B. Würsten). This is the second 10 km east of Steenbokpan on the Madagascar, but most remain on Redhouse Salt Pan in the Zwart­kops 42 43 southern African waters. A second Martin). The bird subsequently (A.P. Martin). One five km inland at record of this species in southern road to Ellisras (N. Tvl) on 29 July the island until mid-April before Nature Reserve (E. Cape) from 9–22 43 44 013 Kerguelen Petrel bird was seen 90 km east of Xai-Xai, died and the specimen is in the Mondplaas Dam, near Hankey (E. Australian Gannet, bird island, algoa bay N.J. Adams departing north, suggesting that January 1994 (A.P. Mar­tin, A.E. 44 45 Pterodroma brevirostris. One Mozambique, on Albany Museum. Cape) on 5 December 1994 (A. this bird had spent the non-breed- Bateman and many other observ- 45 46 exhausted, beached bird found 19 December 1993 (J.C. Sinclair).­ Two birds 100 km east of Inham­ Bateman). One at King’s Beach, Port ing season in mainland Africa. On ers). One adult at Wadrif Salt Pan 46 47 near Port Elizabeth (E. Cape) on 4 The range of this bane, Mozambique, on Elizabeth (E. Cape) on 16 Oct­ober­ Madagascar they are frequently (W. Cape) from 5–17 March 1994 47 48 August 1994 died subsequently little-known seabird is thought to 18 December 1992, and a 1994 (M. van der Bijl). Two birds 100 associated with wetlands: the (concurrently with an American 48 49 (A.P. Martin). The specimen is in the be restricted to the tropical western single bird in the same area two km east of Inhambane, Mozam­ Langebaan record is more than 1 Golden Plover!) (J. Ros­­souw, S. 49 50 Albany Museum. This is the first Indian Ocean, although it has been days later (A. Marchant, J.C. bique, on 18 December 1992, and a 500 km south-west of any other Cooper, C. Cohen, M. Fair). One juve- 50 51 record of Kerguelen Petrel in South recorded as a vagrant in both Italy Sinclair). single bird at the same locality two sighting of Eleonora’s Falcon in nile at Ultra salt pans, near Pater­ 51 52 Africa since August 1985. and the Hawaiian Islands! Its breed- 047 Red-tailed Tropicbird days later (A. Marchant). One 140 km Africa. noster (W. Cape) on 27 March 1994 52 53 039 Leach’s Storm Petrel ing grounds are unknown, but Phaethon rubricauda. One seen east of Maputo, Mozambique, on 14 216 Striped Crake (J. Rossouw, J. Graham, C. Cohen, S. 53 54 Oceanodroma leucorhoa. One probably are on islands off the from Robberg Nature Reserve, and 16 January 1993 (A. Marchant). Aenigmatolimnas marginalis. One Cooper). 54 55 40 km south-east of Durban (Natal) south coast of the Arabian Plettenberg Bay (E. Cape) on One 120 km east of Maputo on 15 male at Umhlanga (Natal) from 23 268 Common Redshank 55 56 on 26 March 1995 Peninsula, possibly on Kuria Muria 15 March 1993 (A.P. Martin). Two February 1993 and two birds 50 km June to 1 July 1993 (E.P. Smith). This Tringa totanus. One at the southern­ 56 57 (A. Marchant, P. Dawson). In the Island. After breeding, the birds birds 100 nautical miles east of south of there on the same day (A. is a very unex­pected date as end of Langebaan Lagoon (W. 57 58 summer of 1995/96, several birds move south. These two records sug- Maputo, Mozambique, on 19 Marchant). Striped Crakes are thought to be Cape) on 11 September­ 1993 (A.P. 58 59 were ashore and calling at an island gest that some birds move as far December 1993 and another two Prize for the ‘tropicbird of the review only (rare) summer visitors to Martin and many other observers). 59 60 off the south-western Cape. A cap- south as the Tropic of Capricorn. birds at the same locality on 20 period’ must go to an adult bird southern Africa. There are only two Another sighting at the same locali- 60 61 tured bird had 040 Audubon’s Shearwater December 1993 (J.C. Sinclair). An at Cape Point from 18–27 May  other records of Striped Crake in ty on 13 February 1994 probably  61 62 62 63 63 64 Syfrets are proud to support the operations of BirdLife South Africa’s Rarities Committee Syfrets are proud to support the operations of BirdLife South Africa’s Rarities Committee 64 65 65

64 africa – birds & bir ding august/september 1996 rarities committee report 1993–1995 65 

 1 1 2 ~ Rare Birds in South Africa 1993–1995 ~ ~ Rare Birds in South Africa 1993–1995 ~ 2 3 3 4 refers to the same bird (J. Rossouw,­ Limicola falcinellus. One adult at (A.C. Sutherland, D.C. Weaver, S. November 1994 was forced to the together at the Babalala picnic site, (T. Hardaker, E. Smith and many 4 5 J. Graham, T. Boucher). One at the the Swartkops estuary, Port Eliza­­­ Hughes, V. Hugo). From a previous ground by Yellow-billed Kites about 40 km south of Punda Maria, other observers). The bird showed 5 6 Berg River estuary (W. Cape) from beth (E. Cape) on 24 Jan­uary 1994 review period, a record was accept- Milvus parasitus (N.J. Adams, J.J. Kruger National Park (N.E. Tvl) on no physical 6 7 9–17 April 1993 (J. Rossouw,­ T. (A.P. Martin). Singles at the south- ed of two adults at the Mhlabane Wat­son). The bird was in extremely 29 January 1995 (D.W. Spencer). signs of having been kept in cap- 7 8 Boucher, C. Cohen). Another sight- ern end of Langebaan Lagoon (W. River mouth (about 28 km north of poor condition and 794 Blue-throated Sunbird tivity, nor was it in any way habitu- 8 9 ing from the Berg River estuary on 2 Cape) on 13 February 1994 (J. Ros­ Richards Bay, Natal) on 9 December subsequently died. Anthreptes reichenowi. One male ated to people. 9 10 November 1993 (E.P. Smith) may souw, T. Boucher, S. Cooper, 1990 (D., J. & C. Harris). 333 Bridled Tern Sterna near the Punda Maria Camp, The dates and plumage are consis- 10 11 have been the same as the previous J. Graham) and 11 February 1995 306 Rock Pratincole Glareola anaethetus. One adult at the Kruger National Park (N.E. Tvl) on tent with the bird 11 12 bird: Common Redshanks have pre- (P.G. Ryan). nuchalis. A single adult at the Umgeni River mouth (Natal) on 4 22 June 1993 being a reverse migrant but, 12 13 viously overwintered at this site. 287 Black-tailed Godwit Kanniedood Dam, near Shingwedzi February 1995 (S. Davis, R. Cowgill). (S. Chown, S. Jackson). This is the because the bird was so far outside 13 14 279 Pectoral Sandpiper Limosa limosa. One at the southern in the Kruger National Park (N.E. 340 Common Noddy Anous first South African record of Blue- the species’ normal range, the pos- 14 15 Calidris melanotos. An adult female end of Langebaan Lagoon (W. Tvl) on stolidus. One was present at the St throated Sunbird to have been sibility of 15 16 at Ghio Pan, Bathurst (E. Cape) on 9 Cape) on 30 Jan­uary 1994 (J. 6 November 1994 constitutes the Lucia estuary mouth (Natal) on 29 accepted by the Rarities an escape cannot be 16 17 and 10 February 1994 (A.J. Tree). Rossouw, T. Boucher). Another first record of this species and 30 December 1992 (P.J. Committee since its establishment ruled out. 17 18 An adult and a juvenile were seen sighting, probably of the same in South Africa (B. Gould). Several Funston). A single adult was pres- in 1981. Lacking concrete evidence XXX Ferruginous Duck 18 19 at the same site on 14 December bird, was made on 3 April 1994 (T. observers also reported a Rock ent at the same site on 22 January of earlier records, it should be Aythya nyroca. One adult in 19 Common Noddy, cape vidal J.N. Sharpe 20 1994 (A.J. Tree, P. Cripps). One bird, Bou­cher). A single bird was present Pratincole at Sabie (Low­veld) 1994 treated as the first national record the company of Southern Pochards 20 21 thought to be a subadult female, at the same locality on 11 and 12 between 20 November and 4 (T. M. Boucher). On 11 June 1994, Park was not accepted by the (S. McCart­ney, S. Bristow). of Netta erythrophthalma at 21 22 was at Wadrif Salt Pan (W. Cape) August 1995 (E. Smith). December 1994. These sites are one was seen slightly to the north, Rarities Com­mittee, and these One at the Harold Porter Botanical this species. Diepsloot Sewage Works, near 22 23 from 6–20 March 1994 (J. Rossouw, 296 Crab Plover Dromas 240 km apart, but, because of the at Cape Vidal (J.N. Sharpe). The last sightings thus constitute the first Gardens, Betty’s 833 Golden-backed Pytilia Verwoerdburg (N. Tvl) 23 24 S. Cooper, C. Cohen, M. Fair). One at ardeola. A record of a flock of 19 coincidence in dates, it is possible Rarities Committee report (Birding record of this species in South Bay (W. Cape) on 20 January 1995: Pytilia afra. Two males and on 20 November 1994 24 25 Woodbourne Pan, Knysna (E. Cape) Crab Plovers on a remote stretch of that both records refer to the same SA 47: 16) included a sighting of Africa. this bird remained in one female/juvenile at Masobe (N. (R. Searle). This species’ normal 25 26 from 28 January to at least 17 beach near Hawston (W. Cape) on bird. The nearest breeding popula- a Common Noddy at Richards Bay 626 Olive-tree Warbler the area for approximately two Tvl) on 19 December 1993 (P.R. non-breeding range in Africa does 26 27 February 1995 (A.P. Martin, J. von 8 March 1993 is totally without tion of this species to South Africa (also Natal) in January 1993. There Hippolais olivetorum. One at Mkuze weeks (M. & D. Fleming). One on Bailey, L. Niss, B. Wicken). not extend south 27 28 Korff, J.P. van der Merwe). precedent is on the Save River have been no other records of Game Reserve (Natal) on 22 the Liesbeeck River in Ronde­bosch, 863 Broad-tailed Paradise of the Sudan, although it has occa- 28 29 282 Buff-breasted Sandpiper (B. Swart). It seems unbelievable in Mozambique. Common Noddy in South Africa February 1993 (D.W. Spen­cer) and Cape Town Whydah Vidua obtusa. One adult sionally been reported from Kenya. 29 30 Tryngites subruficollis. One at the that a flock this large could make 311 South Polar Skua since 1977 and it cannot be ruled one at Schuinsdraai­ Nature Reserve (W. Cape) from 21–23 May 1995 (L. male near Punda Maria Camp, XXX Violet Turaco 30 31 Berg River estuary (W. Cape) on 10 its way around almost the entire Catharacta maccormicki. One bird out that all the above records refer (Lowveld) on Shannon, P. Whit­tington, T. Kruger National Park (N.E. Tvl) on Musophaga violacea. Two adults 31 32 September 1993 (S. de Beer, A. & S. South African coast without being 60 km west of Kommetjie (W. to a single individual. 26 February 1994 (S. Ter­blanche). Hardaker). It is interesting to note 29 January 1995 (D.W. Spencer). were seen in Bryanston (S. Tvl) on 3 32 33 Smit, C. Badenhorst,­ J.W. Pretorius- detected – and then apparently Cape) on 9 August 1994 (T. 912 Greater Sheathbill There have been several records of that, of the six post-1982 records of Records accepted as September 1994, 33 34 Heuchert). This is the first record of disappear into thin air! Crab Boucher). Chionis alba. Two adults at Partridge this species at the former site in Grey Wagtail from the Cape coastal escaped birds remaining for about two weeks. In 34 35 this species from the west coast of Plovers have never been recorded 317 Franklin’s Gull Larus pip- Point, south of Simonstown­ (W. recent years. region, four of them have May 1995, three adults were pres- 35 36 South Africa: there have been west of Humansdorp (E. Cape), and ixcan. One adult in almost full Cape) on 630 European Reed Warbler been from the winter months 110 Garganey Anas querq- ent, along 36 37 records from the Namibian coast. It most South African records are of breeding plumage at Strandfontein 8 and 9 August 1995 (E. Smith). Acrocephalus scirpaceus. One was (May–­July), suggest­ing reversed uedula. A male in full breeding with one juvenile: the birds were still 37 38 is also an unexpectedly early date solitary, juvenile or subadult birds. Sewage Works (W. Cape) on 11 585 European Wheatear caught and ringed at the Joggie migration. plumage was present at in the area at the time 38 39 for this bird to be so far south. One Apart from records in Mozam­ November 1995 (E. Smith). This Oenanthe oenanthe. Two birds Peters Bird Sanctuary, 766 Lesser Blue-eared Strandfontein Sewage Works (W. the report was submitted in 39 40 at the Umvoti River mouth (Natal) bique, where the species is bird remained in the area for about were seen about 10 km apart at Vanderbijlpark, (S. Tvl) on Starling Lamprotornis chloropter- Cape) from 18 June 1995 to at least September 1995 (R.J. Tancock). This 40 41 on 12 March 1995 (N.F. Robson, D.P. regular, the only other record dur- two weeks and was seen by many Gaza, Mozambique, on 5 March 1994 (J.M.H. Raijmak­ ­ers). us. Two adults and a juvenile 2 July 1995 species is a resident of gallery  41 42 Cyrus). These records constitute the ing the review period was of a sin- observers. 11 and 12 December 1994 This is only the second record of Collared Palm Thrush, Shingwedzi, kruger national park A. & W. froneman 42 43 third and fourth sightings of this gle subadult at Richards Bay har- 321 Gull-billed Tern (V. Parker). One was in non-breed- European Reed Warbler in South 43 44 species in South Africa. bour (Natal) from 14–22 January Gelochelidon nilotica. Two at Lake ing plumage, while the other, Africa: the first (also captured) was 44 45 283 Broad-billed Sandpiper 1995 Chuali, Mozambique, unexpectedly at this time of year, in 45 46 Pectoral Sandpiper (with ruff in background), knysna A.P. Martin on 8 June 1995, and one at was a male in the southern Transvaal in December 46 47 Manjacaze, Mozambique, on 24 full breeding plumage. 1974. This species 47 48 August 1995 (both 603 Collared Palm Thrush is only likely to be reliably identi- 48 49 V. Parker). The status of this species Cichladusa arquata. One pair was fied in the hand. 49 50 in Mozambique is not well known, first reported at Shingwedzi­ Camp, 715 Grey Wagtail 50 51 but in view of Kruger National Park (N.E. Tvl), on Motacilla cinerea. One at Settler’s 51 52 its abundance on the African coast 16 January 1995 (A. & W. Park, Port Elizabeth 52 53 to the north, it is likely Froneman). They were reported (E. Cape) from 20 June to 53 54 to be more frequent than records again between 19 and 21 January 14 July 1993 (A.P. Martin, D.M.V. 54 55 suggest. 1995 Brown). One at Cowles Dam, near 55 56 332 Sooty Tern Sterna (T.R. Pole). Subsequent to this, the Springs (S. Tvl) from 3–5 No­­vem­ber 56 57 fuscata. One found dead on birds apparently bred 1994 57 58 Mtunzini beach near the Mlalazi within the camp site and remained (P. Hofmeyr, S. Madden). 58 59 River mouth (Natal) on 12 in the area until at least March. A One at the Mac-Mac Falls (Lowveld) 59 60 December 1992 (D., J. & C. Harris). previous sight record of this species from 10 December 1994 to 11 Feb­ 60 61 One immature at Mtunzini on 19 at Letaba in the Kruger National  ruary 1995 61 62 62 63 63 64 Syfrets are proud to support the operations of BirdLife South Africa’s Rarities Committee Syfrets are proud to support the operations of BirdLife South Africa’s Rarities Committee 64 65 65

66 africa – birds & birding august/september 1996 Rarities committee report 1993–1995 67  1 1 2 ~ Rare Birds in South Africa 1993–1995 ~ 2 3 3 4 and riverine forests in West Africa Honey Buzzard Kirstenbosch Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo 4 5 from Senegambia east to northern Botanical Gardens (W. Cape), 5 Pafuri, Kruger National Park (N.E. 5 6 Cameroon. March 1995. Tvl), 5 November 1994. 6 7 XXX Emerald Starling European Marsh Harrier Eastern Honeyguide Pafuri, 7 8 Coccycolius iris. A flock of at least Mkuze Game Reserve (Natal), 1 Kruger National Park (N.E. Tvl), 15 8 9 seven birds, including one imma- February 1994. November 1993. 9 10 ture, were first seen on 20 June Green Sandpiper Pafuri, Kruger Whinchat Two, Umlalazi Nature 10 11 1993 at Barbeque, Midrand (N. Tvl). National Park Reserve (Natal), 11 12 The flock was present in the same (N.E. Tvl), 6 February 1993. 10 March 1994; two, Cathedral 12 13 area in July and August, and, in Common Redshank Breede Peak (Natal), 5 December 1994. 13 14 November 1993, an adult was seen River estuary (W. Cape), December European Blackcap 14 15 feeding a juvenile, 1991; Langebaan Lagoon (W. Weltevreden Park (S. Tvl), 15 16 indicating that at least one pair Cape), 6 March 1994. 2–27 August 1995. 16 17 had bred successfully in the wild. Lesser Yellowlegs Big Bend, Olive-tree Warbler Between 17 18 These birds are imported into Swaziland, 24 April 1993; Knysna Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie, 18 19 South Africa (E. Cape), 20 June 1993; Nwanedzi, Kruger National Park (Lowveld), 19 19 20 for the cagebird trade, being native Kruger National Park (Lowveld), December 1993; Ditholo (N. Tvl), 18 20 21 to West African savannas from 26 and 27 March 1994. February 1995. 21 22 Guinea east to the Ivory Coast. It is Red-necked Stint Lower Sabie, Livingstone’s Flycatcher Two, 22 23 almost certain that these individu- Kruger National Park (Lowveld), 20 Olifants Camp, Kruger National 23 24 als escaped in transit: their high October 1993. Park (N.E. Tvl), 24 25 selling price makes it unlikely that Broad-billed Sandpiper 18 November 1993. 25 26 they would have been delib­erately Berg River salt pans (W. Cape), 2 Sousa’s Shrike Die Eiland, 26 27 released. Although November 1993. Upington (N. Cape), 1 April 1994. 27 28 they have never become Lesser Black-backed Gull, 28 29 successful colonizers outside their Beaufort West Sewage Works (W. Records pending adjudi- 29 30 native range, the situation in the Cape), 6 November 1993 to 20 cation 30 Midrand area should be moni- 31 February 1994. The following records pertain to 31 32 tored. Franklin’s Gull Three, St the review period (or previously) 32 33 Lucia estuary mouth (Natal), 23 and are still under consideration 33 34 Records not accepted and 24 December 1982. by the Committee. 34 35 Black-headed Gull Umgeni 35 36 Royal Albatross Off Cape Point River mouth (Natal), 8 October Rüppell’s Vulture Potberg (W. 36 37 (W. Cape), 20 October 1991. 1995. Cape), 25 August 1989 to 12 March 37 38 Grey-headed Albatross 50 km Sooty Tern Two flocks 1991. 38 39 west of Hout Bay 50 miles east of Kosi Bay, in Long-legged Buzzard 39 40 (W. Cape), 20 September 1992; Mozambican waters, Borakalalo Game Reserve 40 41 two, 60 km west of Cape Point (W. 18 December 1993; Umvoti River (N. Tvl), 16 January 1994. 41 42 Cape), 11 July 1994; mouth (Natal), Sooty Tern Strandfontein 42 43 80 km south-west of Saldanha 14 January 1995. Sewage Works (W. Cape), 43 44 (W. Cape), 12 July 1994. Ross’s Lourie Sandton 11 June 1995. 44 45 Yelkouan Shearwater (S. Tvl), 19 March 1995. 45 46 Between Dassen and Vondeling Violet Turaco, sandton R.J. Tancock 46 47 Islands (W. Cape), March 1991. 47 48 Salvin’s Albatross At sea off 48 49 Cape Columbine (W. Cape), 49 50 21 September 1994. 50 51 Slender-billed Prion 70 km 51 52 west of Cape Point (W. Cape), 8 July 52 53 1994. 53 54 Greater Frigatebird 1 km off 54 55 the Kei River mouth (E. Cape), 30 55 56 December 1994. 56 57 Garganey Augrabies Falls 57 58 National Park, 28 and 58 59 29 January 1995. 59 60 Marbled Duck Umgeni River 60 61 estuary (Natal), 9 October 1994.  61 62 62 63 63 64 Syfrets are proud to support the operations of BirdLife South Africa’s Rarities Committee 64 65 65

68 africa – birds & birding august/september 1996 rare birds of south africa 1 

