Bokmakierie-237-August-20131.Pdf

Indian Pitta

TOUR TO SRI LANKA 10th – 23rd FEBRUARY 2014

PRICE BASED ON 6-8 PEOPLE $ 3,800

OPTIONAL ADD-ON TIGER EXTENSION TO INDIA

Blue Magpie

P O Box 641 WITWATERSRAND Cresta, 2118

Tel: 011 782 7267 BIRD CLUB Fax: 086 512 7696 Email: [email protected] ISSUE NO 237 AUGUST 2013 Web: www.witsbirdclub.org.za

Inside this issue: 37 Rarities and Unusual Sightings Report: April 2013 by André Marx 4 Letter from the Chair 42 BirdLife Matters 5 A Brand New CAR by Barbi Forsyth 2013 Committee: 7 Sondela Bush Camp - also known as the Tambuki 4x4 camp by Honorary President Murrie Slotar Ginny Mes Chairman Andy Featherstone 8 Goodbye to Roy Altman by Lauraine Leigh Vice-Chairman Lance Robinson th 9 Vaalkop Dam CWAC 20 Treasurer Sandy Goodall Anniversary Koos van Dÿk remi- Leanne Webster nisces Courses Murrie Slotar 12 Dial in to PHOWN! by H Dieter Oschadleus Conservation Barbi Forsyth

14 Pelagic Birding out of Simon’s Evening Meetings Lia Steen Town by Patrick Cardwell Website Andrew de Klerk 22 Stevan Segang by Barbi Forsyth and Murrie Slotar Youth Matthew Axelrod 24 Members’ Interesting Sightings Club Secretary Lauraine Leigh 25 Book Review by Lesley Cornish DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER 2013 26 BirdLife South Africa Secretary- ISSUE - 1st NOVEMBER 2013 bird Project – April 2013 report by Ernst Retief Contributions, addressed to the Edi- tor, can be: 30 Figures in South African Ornithol- ogy: Francois Le Vaillant by Peter E-mailed to: [email protected] Greaves Posted to: The Editor, Witwatersrand 32 WBC goes to Ecuador, December Bird Club, P O Box 641, Cresta, 2118 2012 by Lesley Cornish - Part 2 Delivered to: Delta Environmental Centre, Road No 3, Victory Park

Cover Photo: Sentinel Rock Thrush by Lance Robinson Cover Design: Philip Tarboton

3 Sadly at the end of the this Commit- tee’s term of office Lance Robinson Letter will be standing down as Vice Chair- man and Programme Planner. Lance From has been on the Committee in various The roles for ten years now and feels that it is time for a break. I for one will miss Chair his guiding presence on the Commit- tee and I am sure my fellow Commit- tee Members feel the same way. Dear Members, Many bird clubs are feeling the knock Spring is just around the corner and on effects of the continuing economic the avian activity in my garden has slump with members having less dis- certainly increased with the dawn cho- posable income and the rising costs of rus gaining in strength daily. We have fuel and daily necessities. WBC is no certainly been fortunate this year to exception and we really do appreciate have had such a mild winter. Hope- your continued support. To ensure our fully members will also match the ris- sustainability please keep your mem- ing tempo and attend our evening bership current to both BirdLife and meetings and outings with equal en- ourselves, your financial support is vi- thusiasm. tal to the upkeep of both organisa-

tions. There have been a few minor For those of you that may not know, problems with the membership sys- Lauraine recently underwent two hip tem at BirdLife which recoups our operations. Thankfully she is now membership subscriptions so if you back on her feet and recovering have not received a renewal notice or nicely. I am sure that she would like have any other membership problem me to thank all of you who sent her please let Lauraine or myself know. best wishes on her behalf. Please also encourage family and

friends to consider joining and becom- One of the first events of the new sea- ing part of the wonderful world of bird- son is the annual Arbor Day at Delta ing. Park. Barbi Forsyth is busy planning the day which will be on Saturday 7th Lastly as a Committee we are aware September. If you would like to plant a of the shortcomings of holding meet- tree to commemorate a special event, ings at Delta Park. We are looking at or in memory of a loved one, then various options and will hope to have please let Lauraine at the office know. something new and exciting to offer all

members soon. I am relieved to announce that we have managed to find a replacement Enjoy the new season and we hope to for Sandy Goodall as club treasurer. see you at an outing or evening meet- Over the next couple of months ing soon. Leanne Webster will gradually take over Sandy’s role, much to her relief. Andy Featherstone Thank you Sandy for all your hard work and dedication!

fire on Friday evening. The fact that A Brand New CAR we were close to the N2 didn’t seem to matter as laughter and chatter By Barbi Forsyth drowned out the traffic noise. The fact that my very clean bedroom got turned into a soup kitchen also didn’t seem to matter and everyone took it into their stride.

Saturday dawned nice and clear, but a sneaky cold wind had arrived by the time we set off for our routes. This made finding the birds an extra challenge and most of the routes came “The only thing constant in life is home with disappointing results, but I change” and that is good. It keeps think everyone had enjoyed their day me on my toes and stops me from be- out in the beautiful, but dry country- coming complacent. The fact that it side. I laughed until my tummy ached adds a few grey hairs doesn’t really when Joan Strugnell presented me matter in the greater scheme of with both her CAR list plus what she things. had called “The Craneless Wattles” –

It was with lots of trepidation that I headed off to Ermelo for our bi-annual CAR Count in the Chrissiesmeer Pre- cinct. I hoped I had remembered everything and that our accommodation would be clean and acceptable. The only things that hadn’t changed were the maps and the ADU pamphlet to hand out to farmers. Absolutely everything else was different.

With less than 2 weeks to go our accommodation had to be moved to Er- melo, all the Route Descriptions had to be altered, the ADU had added 6 raptors and 3 corvids to our usual list of birds to count and so our pink Infor- mation Sheets were also different.

I needn’t have worried. My volunteers were still the greatest and the count itself seemed to go off without a hitch thanks to their help and dedication. The old sense of camaraderie was Joan Strugnell’s Craneless Wattles List still there as we gathered around a

5 a meticulous list of all the wattles birds to add to our list. After our walk which she and Kevin & Rose Fowler we gathered together again for had found on their route. Joan is a brunch before leaving one “big wonderful scribe and has a great smoke” for another. sense of humour. We still got to sit around our braai on the Saturday eve- My thanks go to all my volunteers for ning and we still got to hear news their tremendous support. Without from Ursula Franke, the Senior Field them none of these valuable conser- Officer for the Highveld Crane Con- vation projects would be possible. servation Project at the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

On Sunday morning some of the volunteers went atlassing while the rest took a leisurely stroll down to a small dam close to our accommodation. We picked up an interesting variety of

From L to R – Carol Purchase, Phil & Lynn Silcock, Mike Witcomb, Joan Strugnell, Alan Forsyth, Verna Engelbrecht, Anthony & Angela Bennett, Alison Hanson and Janice Isom. Kevin & Rose Fowler and Felicity Kanichowsky & Lester Niss are absent from the photograph.

directions doing their own thing most Sondela Bush Camp of the time, but evenings around the - also known as the fire and braaiing together was very pleasant and, of course, ended with Tambuki 4 x 4 camp. us trying to outdo one another on what birds we had come across dur- th th ing our forays to the different water 5 to the 7 of July holes. Just going up the rocky outcrop 2013 in the middle of the camp proved to be worthwhile. Of course Letitia and

Trina and I felt we had been the most Text and Photos by Ginny Mes rewarded with an unexpected viewing

of a pair of Secretary Birds. The Violet

-eared Waxbills were to be seen as

well as the Black-cheeked and Blue

waxbills, along with their typical

friends, the Scaly-feathered Finches,

Cut-throat Finches and Jameson’s This camp proved to be everything we Firefinch. Had really good sightings, had hoped for! We arrived early Fri- of the Orange-breasted Bush Shrike, day morning in time to assist those and in fact, shrikes in general. All in without suitable vehicles getting to the all, whilst not seeing the African Hoo- camp as it is supposedly 4x4 only. I poe (our target bird) we were de- have to say that the Sondela manage- lighted to see the very rare, at least ment were absolutely fabulous. We for this part of the world, Yellow- quickly set up camp and immediately bellied Greenbul when packing up on started birding while still sorting out Sunday. He /she kind of owned the the fire (under the donkey) so that camp I think. We saw close to 100 showering, when needed, would not birds altogether which, if I am not mis- be without hot water. Unfortunately taken, is pretty good for this time of we realised only when it was too late the year, even when visiting Sondela that we had not made enough of a fire Nature Reserve. The group of camp- for the boiler to heat up properly. ers were a really super bunch of peo- Once we rectified the situation there ple, so well done to all of you and was plenty of hot water for all, and thank-you for making it such a happy plenty of wood was made available to weekend. us. The ablutions, whilst rustic, were clean and adequate. The Boma very useful with sufficient wash-up and working areas. The beauty of this camp was that, although it was school holidays and the general camp was full to capacity, we were totally un- aware of them because we were situated in the far east side of Sondela.

Birding was good considering the time of year. Everyone went off in different

were about 13 of us altogether. We had Goodbye to Roy a good party on the Saturday evening at Roy Altman the campsite which overlooked a water- hole that always had something or other 22.8.1941 - 22.5.2013 to watch. The best of course was when we were joined by 8 White Rhino, who By Lauraine Leigh casually came onto the site as there is no fence around the campsite. They stayed for a long time, every now and then one or sometimes two of them would lie down for a quick kip almost as if they were quite bored with the whole procedure. The most memorable of birds were the Lilac-breasted Rollers rolling and the Groundscraper Thrushes all over.

Roy was a very keen and excellent birder and his favourite place to go to was the Kruger Park where he went many, many times over the years. I for one will always remember Roy and Steffie at our End-of-Year braais in the 1990s that were held at Delta when we would all sit in a big circle in front of the Delta Envi- ronmental Centre building. This was one of our favourite social gatherings of the Roy and his wife Steffie were amongst year, not to be missed. the group of members who took Rob and myself under their wings when we joined Roy was on the Committee with us and the club in 1991. They always made helped organise the then SAOS AGM, sure that we had seen whatever bird the held at Badplaas in the year 1997, when leader had pointed out and would get ex- Rob was Chairman and the SAOS cited with us when we got a lifer – which changed its name to BirdLife with Aldo was often in those days. Berutti taking over the helm.

Roy was also one of the Rebel Campers Roy Altman passed away on Wednesday in more recent years and we have many 22nd May 2013. Roy, rest in peace, we fond memories of him over the years at miss you. these camps. He was always the first one up in the morning and by the time the rest of us surfaced he had already seen so many birds and always greeted us with a beer in his hand, which might not have been his first! In spite of that, I never once saw him inebriated in the slightest! One of our last camps with Roy was to celebrate his 70th birthday at Marakele National Park in Thabazimbi in August 2011. He came with his two mates, Danny and Bernie, and there

count on Saturday, one could also Vaalkop Dam CWAC have a regular Wits Bird Club outing th 20 Anniversary on the Sunday morning.

Koos van Dÿk Reminisces The summer count of 2005 was rained out completely. The rain started coming down heavily in the very early hours of Saturday morning, continuing until about 10h30. Bo van der Lecq travelled all the way from Jo’burg to join in the count, only to find a bunch of drenched birders creeping out of their tents, longing for some hot steaming coffee and sun- shine.

Hennie Bornman joined us for the first time at a Vaalkop CWAC in January Vaalkop Pontoon count winter 2004 – Max 2006. Since Nick Bezuidenhout ar- Kaiser with Nick & Amy Bezuidenhout ranged for us to camp at the so-called ‘bush camp’, we pitched our tents in- . side the lapa to ‘hide-away’ from any When I started ‘CWACing’, Bo van possible rain. Hennie arrived and der Lecq was still the coordinator. On pitched his little one man tent some numerous occasions just the two of thirty metres away in the open. That us would leave the West Rand very night we had an electric storm like early on a Sunday morning to be at none I have ever experienced. I hon- Vaalkop around 07h00. Those days estly thought I was going to have to the count was only done by road, and drag a dead man from his tent the we did both the Hex River and the next morning. It was with almost dis- Elands River sides of the dam - the belief, but with utmost relief, when I one side before, and the other after lunch. The Hex River side has now been closed and has not been accessible for CWAC since January 2007. With just the two of us, it took us the best part of a day to finish the count, mostly only finishing off around 17h00 before heading back home – strenuous indeed!

Sometime after I started coordinating, I suggested that we rather do the count on a Saturday. It then became a weekend camp with people arriving Vaalkop Rained out summer 2005 - Bo van der on Friday afternoon. This had the Lecq, Max Kaiser, Nick Bezuidenhout, Graham Allin, Joan Faiola, Joan Raubenheimer, Amy added benefit that after the CWAC Bezuidenhout & Lia Steen

 Nick and Amy Bezuidenhout, the fantastic couple who always went out of their way to ensure access and the best means to help us do our ‘job’.

 The most incredible sunsets and moon rises that I have ever experienced. Many a time as the sun set in the west, we had the full moon rise in the east - what an experi- Vaalkop’s First ever Pontoon count summer 2004 - Murrie Slotar, Graham Allin & Nick & ence! Amy Bezuidenhout on board  Sun downers on the dam wall after saw him crawl out of his tent that a full day of ‘CWACing’. morning. He had slept soundly through the storm without realising the commotion around him.

Water levels were very low during the summer count of 2007. Around mid- day, counting nearby the reed beds near the inflow of the Elands River, I walked briskly in one of the animal paths, trying to stop someone who was walking ahead of me as I was afraid that he was going to chase up the birds before we could count Sun downers on the dam wall after a full day of them. In the process I neglected my CWACing - Koos van Dÿk, Hennie Bornman, normal vigilance of looking for snakes Graham Allin & Alison Hansen while walking. At a point Graham Al- lin, who was walking just behind me, shouted: “Koos, you nearly stepped  Glühwein in winter (of which I was on a Puff Adder!” Sure enough, as I clueless until Alison Hanson turned around, there it was, as ‘puffy’ ‘introduced’ me to it). as can be, I had missed stepping on it by about two centimetres. This was  Late night strolls in the bush to do my closest encounter (at least that I some star gazing and spider hunt- know of) of nearly stepping on a ven- ing. omous snake. I ran back to the vehicles, got my camera and still have the  Amazing evenings around the photographs to prove it. camp fire with equally the most amazing people. Thoughts that will always stay with me when I think and talk so fondly of My most disappointing experience Vaalkop... was in the Summer of 2007 when

Below is a paragraph that I took from my ‘Conclusion’ when I finished up as CWAC Coordinator of the Wits Bird Club. I think it says it all:

“If one looks past the statistical side of Waterbird Counts, one finds that it is actually a good opportunity to learn about birds, meet people, make friends and just plainly have fun. In essence, that is what CWACing is about. I therefore urge members to Vaalkop sunset share in this experience and at the same time make a valuable contribu- North West Parks Boards told us after tion to conservation.” the count that we only had permission to stay in the campsite for the previ- ous night and that we had to pack up and leave. Other points of interest:

Summer of 2004 saw the first CWAC count from a motorised pontoon, organised by Nick Bezuiden- hout.

Summer of 2008 saw the first SA- BAP2 count ably led by Lance Rob- inson on the Sunday morning after Vaalkop sunset the CWAC.

NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS

Bokmakierie is published three times annually. Contributions may be in Afrikaans or English. English names of birds should be those used in Roberts VII. Views ex- pressed are not necessarily those of the Editor, Club, the Committee, Members or those of BirdLife South Africa. The Editors reserve the right to edit articles as necessary.

This issue of Bokmakierie has been produced and edited by Andy Featherstone and Lance Robinson.

low-legged Weaver) and two weavers Dial in to PHOWN ! had their nests described in 2013 for the first time (Black-chinned Weaver Text and Photos by H Dieter and Clarke's Weaver). Now citizen Oschadleus scientists can contribute to the knowledge of weavers in an easy, fun way, namely by taking photos of weaver colonies. PHOWN (PHOtos of Weaver Nests, pronounced to rhyme with ‘own’) is one of 11 Virtual Mu- seum (VM) projects at the Animal De- mography Unit (ADU).

In Gauteng, many gardens have a resident Southern Masked Weaver. Weavers are a fascinating bird family, Simply by counting nests and submit- and their engineering skills in building ting regular photos of a Southern nests are admired by many people, Masked Weaver colony near you, we although some gardeners disapprove can learn more about how the colony of the leaves they strip. There are 117 size of an individual male changes weaver species, mostly in Africa, with through the breeding season. You some species in southern Asia and can submit records for a colony daily, the Indian Ocean islands. The weaver weekly, monthly or at any other regu- family includes the true weavers (this lar or irregular interval. includes widows, bishops and queleas) as well as sparrow weavers, An important aspect of PHOWN is to buffalo weavers, social weavers and study the variation in colony sizes in others. different weaver species. Information on colony sizes in weavers is very fragmentary, and PHOWN is providing new data. A recent analysis of the data for species with many records showed the following. Chestnut Weavers, Lesser Masked Weavers and Village Weavers have large colonies (average of >30 nests). Eastern Golden Weavers (Yellow Weavers) and Cape Weavers have medium sized colonies on average (about 20 nests per colony). The Southern

Masked Weaver mostly has small sin- Many weavers are common and easy gle-male colonies of 5-6 nests, but oc- to study and yet very little is known casionally colonies are larger with about many aspects of their lives. several males in a colony. Other as- There are three weavers for which the pects that can be studied in PHOWN nest is not known at all (Bates's are breeding distribution, nest site se- Weaver, Golden-naped Weaver, Yel- lection and breeding seasonality.

Like all the VM projects, taking part is holiday. Records from anywhere are very easy. If you are already regis- welcome! tered for any ADU project, you can use the same login details (email and You can view records on the VM site, password) to upload photos at the VM but at http://weavers.adu.org.za/ site (http://vmus.adu.org.za). If you phown.php you can view many more have weavers breeding in your gar- summaries and also news items den, start monitoring them and sub- about weavers and the project. mitting records. You can also record nests when atlassing, birding, or on

Map of PHOWN records in Gauteng to date

WITWATERSRAND BIRD FOLLOWER OF ? CLUB HAS ITS OWN FACEBOOK PAGE!

In many respects a pelagic trip off Pelagic Birding out Cape Point is the marine equivalent of of Simon’s Town the classic African ‘safari’ game drive. You have some idea of where you are going for the day, and what you are Text and Photos by Patrick most likely to see, but in reality you Cardwell are open to the forces of nature, along with a generous dose of ‘good luck’.

This is the exciting adrenaline appeal bit that drip feeds the desire to return over and over again to the trawling For me it was the publication in 1984 grounds for another seasonal sift of Peter Harrison’s ground-breaking through the thousands of seabirds or- identification guide to ‘Seabirds’ that biting in tireless flight, in the hope of opened up the off-shore world of pe- seeing something new for one’s list. lagic birding right on Cape Town’s doorstep. This desire also triggered my decision to move to Simon’s Town, a charming I remember way back in that same old naval base with a coastal village year commissioning the services of atmosphere, some 45 minutes from an active sport fishing boat to head the centre of Cape Town, to be right out into the ‘deep’, 30 miles beyond on the doorstep of the main pelagic the lighthouse at Cape Point itself, in departure point in False Bay. Here search of a working trawler, in the one is close to the scenically impres- hope of adding a suite of pelagic sive Cape of Good Hope National sightings to my expanding ‘life list’ of Park as well as the Boulder’s Coastal Southern African birds. Park, home to hundreds of breeding but now critically endangered African It was a Benguela Nino year, and pe- Penguins. lagic seabirds were in super- abundance in the south eastern Atlan- tic, with the total of species by variety and number exceeding all expecta- tions for the birders on the inaugural trip as we pitched and wallowed about in the rolling swells on our way out to the trawling grounds.

To this day, the anticipation of a weather-dependent sea birding trip still holds great appeal for me, and with it the hope of sighting something new and exciting as the ‘mega-tick’ of African Penguin braying the day.

Aside from the diversity of birdlife and

14 resident mammals of the Cape Penin- tively small minority of the resident sula, the bay itself supports thou- population take the time and trouble sands of Cape Fur Seals, a healthy to fly so far out to sea on the off- population of Great White Sharks, chance of securing a scrap within the several species of dolphin and whale, melee of squabbling seabirds, when as well as countless thousands of the vast majority of Kelp Gulls loaf seabirds attracted by shoals of bait about the local landfill sites in keeping fish within this marine protected area. with their kind all over the world… A typical pelagic trip with one of the registered pelagic charter operators After the mandatory safety stop inside starts with a sunrise safety and orien- of Cape Point, to radio through our tation briefing on the jetty, followed by intended course for the day and ap- a short scenic cruise to Cape Point, proximate return time, we round the with stops en route to view rafts of Af- precipitous headland to take in the im- rican Penguins heading out to sea, pressive and steadily unfolding view and various terns and cormorants of the rugged south western tip of the roosting on the offshore granite boul- African continent in the early morning ders along the rugged shoreline. light.

It is indeed an awesome and wonder- fully spectacular sight, so aptly described by Sir Francis Drake on his epic voyage in 1580, as by far the ’Fairest Cape in all the World’.

Soon we are well on our way to the south west with the trawling grounds and, hopefully, an active stern trawler or pole fishing boat in mind, as the peninsula landscape steadily recedes Kelp Gull and eventually fades from view below the distant horizon. Here and there the occasional Cape Gannet can be seen plunge-diving in Around this time the first of many pe- the distance, while Kelp Gulls in loose lagic seabird sightings for the day groups fly past on their way out to the arcs into view, usually in the form of a trawling grounds. In fact, it is a source White-chinned Petrel as it careens of fascination to me as to why a rela- across the bow, followed by intermit-

15 tent sightings of Sooty Shearwater, usually a Shy Albatross as sweeps in flap-gliding on silvery-white wings low slow and graceful flight over the wake across the wave crests, often in asso- before veering away on motionless ciation with wavering flight lines of wings giving all the opportunity to see black and white Cape Gannets and the characteristic axillary ‘thumb-print’ hundreds of low flying Cape Cormo- on the mainly white underwing. rants, heading steadily northwards along the outer reefs of the Atlantic coastline.

Shy Albatross

This is always an encouraging sign and marks the start of a steady uplift in seabird sightings as an increasing number of albatross across the age class spectrum wheel around us in White-chinned Petrel seemingly effortless flight, along with a steadily expanding entourage of This inshore marine environment is petrels and shearwaters as we make rich in anchovy and sardine during the our way up the wake of the first of warm summer months, making it an several trawler options available to us ideal fishing ground for Swift Tern and on a good birding day. Sandwich Tern operating on a solitary basis, while loose flocks of Common Dominant in number, on almost a Tern flutter and swoop over shoals of year round basis, are the ubiquitous bait fish forced to the surface by White-chinned Petrels, with the possi- predatory game fish. Such activity bility of a much sought after Specta- hardly goes unnoticed by piratical and cled Petrel (conspicillata), endemic to falcon-like Parasitic Jaegers and the Tristan da Cunha, loafing within the larger, more thickset and not as com- roosting rafts of gregarious seabirds, mon Pomarine Jaegers, readily on the affording all on board close up sight- lookout for a kleptoparasitic feeding ing and photographic opportunities of opportunity along the outermost reefs. this striking seabird.

Soon afterwards a confident shout By now the first Indian Yellow-nosed from one of the highly experienced Albatross, with its distinctive white seabird guides heralds the sighting of head and neck, has usually been the first albatross of the day. This is ‘ticked’ off as it sailed past on well

Pintado Petrel Spectacled Petrel the skipper does his best to keep up arched wings, followed by several with the trawler and position the boat sightings of immature and adult Black with good viewing and photographic -browed Albatross and Atlantic Yellow light always in mind as he works up -nosed Albatross weaving and flap- and down the wake in search of new ping their way through the feeding sightings. frenzy of seabirds strung out along the wake in mind-numbing numbers.

Black-browed Albatross

Here and there boldly patterned Pin- Great Shearwater tado Petrels in their highly distinctive black and white chequered plumage Yet it is the retrieval of the net that weave and glide by on stiff set wings, triggers the greatest seabird response interspersed with brisk bursts of shal- as, almost on cue, the otter doors low wing beats, as they veer away clang on the gantry signalling the next from us, while intermittent Great retrieve, and with it the birds converge Shearwaters, with their distinctive on the bulging net as it breaks surface dark caps and conspicuous white sub surrounded by porpoising Cape Fur -terminal tail bands, glide by to vanish Seals and plunge-diving Cape Gan- beyond the next wave crest. nets taking immediate advantage of whatever spillage occurs. By now the action around us is usually frenetic with hundreds, if not thou- This is the best time for close-up pho- sands of pelagic seabirds in view, as tography, so engrossed are the

tered around the surfacing net.

Here and there during the summer months tern-like Sabine’s Gulls join in to plunge and dip delicately after scraps and every so often the occasional Arctic Tern puts in a transient appearance before veering away from the madding crowd...

Pelagic Scene off Cape Point: Trawl being retrieved squabbling birds with their feeding pri- orities as they slow their pace to alight on the surface as scraps and by-catch drifts back along the wake triggering a competitive feeding frenzy.

Sabine’s Gull

Further back along the more open and less crowded sections of the wake, loose flocks of Wilson’s and European Storm Petrels patter across the surface and flutter about in zig- zagging flight as they pick up minute Subantarctic Skua food items streaming back along the slick line adding their presence to the Close by, opportunistic Subantarctic regular crowd of habitual trawler fol- Skuas in klepto-parasitic mode snatch lowers. titbits away, while both the larger more bull-necked Northern and Other summer specials occasionally Southern Giant Petrels muscle their encountered are Manx Shearwaters way through the foraging crowd clus- cutting across the line of travel along with the far more numerous and gregarious Cory’s Shearwaters, and, in- frequently, a Flesh-footed Shear- water for the more astute observer ‘sifting’ through the mass of seabirds orbiting the boat.

But it is the winter months that bring out the best when stormy seas and gusting south westerly winds usher in Southern Giant Petrel and Pintado Petrels careening Pterodroma gadfly-petrels

Sooty Shearwater Cory’s Shearwater of year. with Soft-plumaged Petrels and Great -winged Petrels soaring and towering Seabirding is not without its identifica- high above the wind-swept wave tion challenges even with good photo- crests in fast and dynamic flight. graphic images for later reference Such conditions at this time of year purposes, with the Prions proving the could also usher in the chance ap- most difficult to identify at sea. Gener- pearance of a majestic white-backed ally, it is the Antarctic Prion (desolata) Northern or Southern Royal Albatross that occurs sporadically off Cape and, for the very lucky, a Wandering Point in the winter months, although Albatross as the ultimate mega- other species of Prion have also been sighting of the day… reported from time to time. Also present in good El Nino years are the occasional and much sought after Blue Petrel with its distinctive black sub- terminal tail band with white trailing edge, a unique diagnostic feature amongst petrels.

Wandering Albatross

Yet it is not all about the larger birds as an occasional gull-like Antarctic (Southern) Fulmar may well come gliding past on stiffly set wings or even a far more exciting Grey Petrel wheeling through the thick of the Wilson’s Storm Petrel feeding flock or roosting unobtrusively on the surface in the company of Within the storm petrel collective, White-chinned Petrels and Sooty Black-bellied Storm Petrel migrate Shearwaters at this very special time northwards through the trawling

19 grounds during the September to Oc- Heading back to Simon’s Town, usu- tober period. Larger than the Wilson’s ally with a following sea making for a Storm Petrel, as the dominant storm comfortable return run to Cape Point, petrel species throughout the year, is not without interest as the boat the Black-bellied Storm Petrel’s draws in close to Partridge Point for bounding and distinctive contour hug- sightings of the endemic Bank Cor- ging flight pattern makes it relatively morant with adjacent Cape Cormo- easy to identify as it zigzags its way rants for comparison purposes. up the wake before vanishing in a flash behind a windswept wave. Closer to harbour returning ‘rafts’ of African Penguin can be seen making As with any ‘game drive’ a trip to the their way back to Boulder’s Beach for ‘deep’ is not without other surprises the night while African Black Oyster- such as the occasional sighting of an catchers, White-breasted Cormorants enormous sunfish basking on the sur- and Hartlaub’s Gulls, along with a face, or a breaching thresher shark few solitary Crowned Cormorants can with its long whip-like tail or a massive be found loitering around the mooring loggerhead turtle loafing contentedly buoys near the town jetty. in calm sea conditions, or an exuber- ant school of Dusky or Common Dol- phin sporting about the boat.

Add to this regular sightings of Hump- back and Southern Right Whale, inside and outside the bay, as well as year round sightings of Bryde’s Whale and occasional autumn reports of Orca in pursuit of dolphin in False Bay, and you have some idea as to what to expect in the way of the ‘unexpected’. African Black Oystercatchers

All in all, a pelagic trip out of Simon’s Town is a memorable and unforgetta- ble experience, certainly a ‘must do’ for any dedicated birder visiting South Africa.

Aside from sea birding the Cape Pen- insula and indigenous ‘fynbos’ habitat of this smallest of all the floral king- doms in the world is rich in Cape en- demics, such as Cape Sugarbird and Orange-breasted Sunbird in reserve, along with a number of other special sightings should the pelagic trip be Bank and Cape Cormorants cancelled due to adverse weather or

20 unsuitable sea conditions at the time.

Cape Sugarbird

For more on pelagic birding, details relat- ing to pelagic charter operators and accommodation options in Simon’s Town, and general birding information in Cape Orange-breasted Sunbird Town and beyond, contact Patrick or Marie-Louise Cardwell at Avian Leisure [email protected] or check out the Editor’s Note: Having experienced the website www.avianleisure.com hospitality of Marie-Louise and Patrick, and having had the privilege of Patrick as a bird guide, I can thoroughly recom- mend them both!

Table Mountain at dusk

BEWARE! ERRATUM BOKMAKIERIE No 236 Please pay your account by Electronic Transfer, or at the local branch of your Page 22 - WBC email address should bank, as posted cheques are being in- have read [email protected] tercepted in the post and used for Cheque Fraud. If this happens to you Page 39 - Caption for bottom right your membership payment is lost! photo should have read Caspian Plover

could at least identify some bird spe- Stevan Segang cies. He says he couldn’t even identify a sparrow. He had always done Text and Photos by Barbi well at school and was determined to Forsyth and Murrie Slotar “make it through, no matter what”. He finished the course and was awarded his certificate, but from that moment on, he never passed a bird without wanting to know what it was. His challenge had begun!

He was introduced to the Endangered Wildlife Trust in 2003 by Sampie van der Merwe who was the Park Man- ager at Barberspan Bird Sanctuary. Sampie was assisting the Blue Crane programme in the North West Prov- ince to try and understand the popula- rd tion size, habitat requirements and Saturday 23 February had been dia- movements of the birds. rised as our next bird training in Chris- siesmeer. There were 17 learners Steven officially joined EWT in 2004 from the Secondary School who, under the Conservation Leadership amongst others, had come to attend. Programme to assist with school and Once the theory part of the training community projects. The programme was done, we ventured down to the was not focused on any specific spe- shore of Lake Chrissie. It was freez- cies, but rather on general environ- ing cold, but I got to meet the most mental issues. Cranes were high- amazing young man – 11 years after lighted as they occurred in his area. his journey began.

Steven says that being based at Bar- Steven grew up on a farm in the San- berspan was an advantage as he par- nieshof area in the North West Prov- ticipated in ringing, both for universi- ince. He matriculated in 1999, but ties and individuals at the research there were limited opportunities for station. He is currently a C permit jobs. Although his initial interest was ringer. He has also participated in in engineering, he was offered a place CAR, CWAC and atlassing. on a Bird ID course in Wakkerstroom in 2002. He was doubtful at the start In 2009 Steven was awarded the op- because birding did not offer a career portunity to go to the International opportunity in many black communi- Crane Foundation at Baraboo, Wis- ties. At the time he also had no idea consin, USA as part of the EWT/ICF or knowledge about birds and the en- learning and skills exchange pro- vironment. gramme for a period of 6 months.

What made it worse was that, at the He was both excited and scared. He training centre, he met people who had never travelled on an aeroplane,

22 let alone visited another country! He It is wonderful to know that 11 years made the most of it, working with after his first introduction to birds he is school groups and adults and then still active in the community and in went to represent ICF at the Upper conserving our birds. Midwest Regional Audubon Confer- ence where he shared his experi- ences of working with cranes.

Steven moved from the North West to the Mpumalanga Highveld where he is currently working for EWT in the Af- rican Crane Conservation Pro- gramme. His area of work covers Sheepmoor, Steenkampsberg and Chrissiesmeer which is where our paths crossed. His work involves monitoring cranes as well as schools and community awareness projects.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION Lesley Cornish Mike Fullerton Gisela Ortner Koos van Dÿk Jean Wilson

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR WEBSITE ADDRESS IS:

www.witsbirdclub.org.za

AND THE EMAIL ADDRESS IS:

[email protected]

house is a large willow tree with three Members’ other Hamerkop nests in it. Interesting Sightings Not sure if the present home owners Lance Robinson has sent in the fol- will be happy with their new lowing observations from where he “neighbours” on the roof as the nest currently lives in Northcliff: will certainly pose a water problem when the rains arrive.” 1. African Grey Hornbills were heard calling in the Northcliff area on Saturday 3 Au- gust. There have been a number of repeated sightings and reports of breeding from the Olivedale / Douglasdale area in all seasons and perhaps this is an indication of their continued expansion into the suburbs of Johannesburg. 2. African Green Pigeon heard calling through the winter, normally just after sunrise, from neighbouring gardens in Northcliff, with a confirmed sighting on Tuesday 6 August.

Marco Josi submitted the following from the Vorna Valley area:

“On my way to work in Halfway House this morning I was travelling along Le Roux road in Vorna Valley when a Hamerkop flew across my path with nesting material in its beak. It flew on Editors Note: Not sure if they are actually to the roof of the house which borders trying to build a nest which would be very the road I was travelling along where insecure or if they are using the area as it has started building a nest – see the a “builder’s yard” to collect and store nest attached photos. Next door to this building material. Either way I am sure the home owner would not be happy! Tribute to ADU Staff It was with sadness that Wits Bird Club received the news that the ADU is to be restructured and that various members of staff are to be retrenched.

We would like to give special thanks to Donella Young and Doug Harebottle for all the hard work and assistance that they have given to Wits Bird Club in recent years and to wish them all the best for the future.

“Field Guide to Shorebirds of Book Review South Africa” by Roy Cowgill and Stephan Davis. This is a photo- By Lesley Cornish graphic guide to the waders of South Africa. “Shorebird” is American for “Parrots of Africa, Madagascar and “wader”..... Waders are often found the Mascarene Islands – Biology, difficult to identify, even by experi- Ecology and Conservation” by enced birders, and this book has an Mike Perrin and Cyril Laubscher “8-point frame work” approach to late in 2012 (but I only got mine in make it easier. There are chapters on 2013). This is quite a heavy book to classification, identification (a large read (and carry!), but has much infor- chapter!) and habitat. There are the mation, as well as marvellous photo- species accounts, and each species graphs by Cyril Laubscher. As one has a double-page spread. The infor- would expect, it is quite academic, mation is kept brief for easy compari- and the first chapters cover conserva- son, and symbols are used for sea- tion biology, systematics, biogeogra- sonality, habitat and abundance. The phy and niche separation, Intelli- text is divided into: At a Glance gence, communications and behav- (sometimes the only view you get), iour, breeding biology, diet and me- Behaviour, Voice, Habitat, Status, tabolism, a case-study on the Cape Group Size, and Confusing Species. Parrot, African parrot conservation, The photographs often have arrows and Field techniques in parrot re- pointing to the diagnostic features. search. Of course, there are the very My only real criticism is that it is a detailed species accounts. I was in- shame there are not pictures terested in discussion of the taxon- (diagrams or photographs) for all the omy of the Cape Parrot. This is a seri- birds in flight. Apart from that, it is a ous book, and is for the serious bird good book and should help in telling enthusiast (I call us amateur orni- apart the waders (or shorebirds, if you thologists) and only those really inter- want)! ested in parrots will enjoy it, but it is a great book! The only problem is that now I want to go and see those parrots outside South Africa!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Angela Bennett Bedfordview Robin Payne Carenvale Anthony Bennett Bedfordview Kim Roberts Bryanston Andrew Delmont Randburg Paula van der Riet Bryanston Claire Gribbon Parkwood Craig van Zyl Primrose Pat Lucas Honey Hill Derek Verrier North Riding Alan Payne Ansfrere Bets Wapenaar Magaliesview Lynette Payne Carenvale

of this project are: BirdLife South Africa Secretarybird  To determine the foraging range of the Secretarybird by obtaining Project – April 2013 movement data for the species;  To determine how different habi- report tats influence foraging range by obtaining the data in different By Ernst Retief types of grasslands, for example Regional Conservation Manager: healthy grassland, grasslands Gauteng and Limpopo mixed with agriculture (crop and livestock farming) and grasslands near urban areas. The different vegetation units within the Grass- land Biome should also be taken into consideration; and  To determine post-natal dispersal and survival.

Sondela Secretarybird Considerable progress was made The highlight was the fitting of a track- with the Secretarybird project during ing device to a Secretarybird at Son- the first few months of 2013, and dela Nature Reserve in January. The herewith a short report on project pro- event was filmed and broadcast on gress during this period. the SABC’s 50/50 environmental programme on 25 February 2013. The Aims of the project tracking device for this bird was A brief reminder that the primary aims funded by BirdLife Northern Gauteng.

We also bought a camera trap which has been used to photograph the birds at the nest. Below are some photos of the field trip and a map showing the movements of the bird. I visited the nest on 11 March, found the fledged bird, and determined that the tracking device was fitted nicely on the bird’s back. It moved, flew and soared without any problem. We are satisfied with the smaller and lighter tracking device we used on the bird at Sondela. This map shows the movement of the Son- dela Secretarybird since it left the nest. It spends time walking and foraging in the vicinity of the nest during the day and returns to the nest at night

The fitting of the tracking device showing Ernst Retief, Joseph Heymans and Faye Pe- ters (the 50/50 presenter)

The parents have been photographed via a camera trap bringing new nesting material to the nest

One of the parents walking to the nest photographed via a camera trap Ernst had to climb up the tree using a ladder to retrieve the bird

High temperatures Interesting stories! One thing we learnt from the tracking Rescued from sea device is the amazing heat these Since the project launched, we have birds endure on the nest. The tracking received some interesting stories device, which has a temperature about Secretarybirds. One of these is reader, reached temperatures of up to of a Secretarybird that was rescued 65 degrees Celsius. Although the am- by fishermen out at sea in May 1987 bient temperature was close to 40 de- (see photos below) while conducting grees Celsius, it does show that the a survey on the vessel "Gemini Star" bird, which sits on the open nest, approximately 2 km from the shore must endure extreme temperatures! near Hondeklip Bay. After drying the One can speculate that increasing bird in the warm engine room they temperatures, through climate took it ashore by means of a dingy change, may result in the birds endur- where it was released. They thought a ing higher temperatures and that this strong wind blew the bird into the sea may have a negative effect on breed- and saved it just in time! ing success. These are certainly ave- nues for interesting future research.

Warden Secretarybird We can now report that we managed to successfully fit another tracking device to a Secretarybird on a farm near Warden in the Free State.

We will provide more information about this bird in the next report, but for now can let you know that the bird is doing well and left the nest within two days of us fitting the device. The tracking device for this bird was spon- sored by De Beers.

Rebuilding a nest in the Eastern Cape Recently I received a call from a very angry farmer in the Eastern Cape. He The April movements of the Warden Secretary- bird had a pair of Secretarybirds which

28 were nesting in a pine tree on his that I did not think it would work, but farm. After Working for Water cut he proved me wrong. Within hours af- down the tree (they did not know that ter the nest was rebuilt, the pair was there was a nest in it), the farmer de- back on the nest! See photos below. cided to “rebuild” the nest. I told him Financial Support BirdLife South Africa would like to ac- knowledge the financial support received from our two Species Champi- ons, Petra Diamonds and the Airports Company South Africa. These two companies will support the programme for three years. We appreciate their financial contributions, as well as the contributions received from a number of companies, individuals and bird clubs. Excavating the hole for the pole which sup- ported the nest Conclusion We will keep you informed of progress with the project. It remains a struggle to find nests with suitably- aged nestlings, and the red tape re- quired to obtain permits delays the work. Progress is therefore slower than anticipated, but we remain hope- ful that we will receive fantastic data over a period of time.

Please remember that we will also post project updates on the BirdLife The nest going up! South Africa Facebook page.

Thank you again for your support.

The birds are back on the nest!

probably best to keep them as ru- Figures in South mours. African Ornithology: As a result of his travels in Southern Francois Le Vaillant Africa Le Vaillant published a couple of books on his travels as well as a 6 By Peter Greaves volume work on the birds of Africa. The book “Histoire naturelle des Francois Le Vaillant’s father was the oiseaux d’Afrique” was published in French Consul in Suriname (Dutch Paris during the years 1801 – 1806. Guiana). Francois was born there in This must have been an impressive 1753. Even as a child he was inter- work as it contained 144 colour ested in the birds of Dutch Guiana painted engravings which, after draw- and he spent much of his time collect- ing and engraving were colour printed ing specimens. This brought him into and hand finished. contact with many European collec- tors and on his father’s return to Le Vaillant died in poverty in 1824. France in 1763 Francois, age 10, went to study Natural History under During his travels Le Vaillant had at Bécour at Metz. It was at Metz that he least two servants after whom our lo- learned his taxidermy skills. When he cal birds are named: came to Cape Town in 1781 as an employee of the Dutch East India Narina(‘s) Trogon Apaloderma Company he was the first narina: Narina was a Hottentot “Ornithologist” to visit Southern Africa. who was perhaps Le Vaillant’s In the next 3 years he made a trip to maid during his travels. It has the Eastern Cape and another north been said that she was believed of the Orange River and thanks to his to have been his mistress. Le taxidermy expertise the 2,000 bird Vaillant apparently found the skins collected by him were well pre- girl's Khoi Khoi name to be too served. His entire collection was sent difficult to pronounce so he gave to Jacob Temminck who had financed her the name of Narina and Le Vaillant's expedition in Southern named the bird after her. Africa. C.J Temminck (son of Jacob) studied and categorised the collection Klaas’s Cuckoo Chrysococcyx before incorporating them into the Lei- klaas: Klaas was Le Vaillant’s den museum. There are stories that male Khoi Khoi servant who, it is one large consignment of specimens assumed, found the bird during was lost at sea when the Dutch ship their travels in 1784. As would be carrying them was attacked and sunk expected for a servant of the by a British ship and there are time very little is known about “rumours” that Le Valliant may have Klaas himself. invented some birds and created new species by putting parts of various Our Crested Barbet Trachyphonus specimens together. Nothing has ever vaillantii, Levaillant’s Cuckoo (Striped been proven in his regard so it is Cuckoo) Clamator levaillantii and Le- vaillant’s Cisticola Cisticola tinniens

“Levaillant’s Bush-Shrike” is not given that name in Fitzsimmons nor in any edition of “Robert’s Birds of Southern Africa” nor in “The Birds of Africa”. Another bird named after Le Vaillant, but not occurring in Southern Africa is Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker Picus vaillantii (Algerian Green Wood- pecker).

Female Klaas’s Cuckoo - photo by Karen Kotze of Ndumu River Lodge are all named after Le Vaillant who also named the Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus. In Fitzsimmons’ “The Natural History of South Africa – Birds volume II” published in 1923 the Cape Parrot Poecephalus robustus is called Levaillant’s Parrot and the Crested Striped (Levaillant’s) Cuckoo - photo by Barbet is called Levaillant’s Barbet Warwick Tarboton (see above). However the Southern Tchagra Tchagra tchagra often re- ferred to by the alternate name

Marula Cottage is a new fresh guest house set on the mountains overlooking the bushveld and Marakele Mountains. We are just 4 km from Thabazimbi and 7 km from Marakele N.P. with its renowned Cape Vulture colony,fynbos specials, as well as being big game country. We are also within easy reaching distance of good sightings of Yellow-throated Sandgrouse.

For those who would like to relax, why not spend time in our garden and add to our, ever growing, bird and nest list. Enjoy a dip in the pool with the kingfishers, or listen to owls and nightjars from the braai place. We are a registered Birder Friendly Establishment (BFE) with BLSA.

For more infomation contact: Dave 083 319 9350, Monika 078 053 3493 or visit our website WWW.Marula-Cottage.com

short walk, we found Great Horned WBC goes to Owl, and had about six Tawny Antpit- Ecuador, tas running around (no mealworms this time). December 2012 - Part 2

Text and Photos by Lesley Cornish

Continued from Bokmakierie no 236 - April Edition

We had a day before going to the Amazon, so we had arranged to go to Andean Lapwing on Cotopaxi Cotopaxi, which is a volcano, and yes, there are birds there! As well as The last bit of the official trip was Sa- the amazing views, we also saw Ec- cha Lodge in the Amazon. We were uadorian Hillstar (an endemic hum- taken to the domestic airport in Quito mer) close up. We also saw White- and dropped off. The Sacha staff tailed Deer, Baird’s Sandpiper (on the rounded us up, and put us on the cor- high altitude lake), Many-striped rect flight to “Coca” (actually Fran- Canestero, Paramo Ground-tyrant cisco de Orellana – no wonder it is and Tufted Tit-tyrant near a high alti- dubbed Coca), then bussed to “Sacha tude wetland. We heard Noble Snipe, House” in the town, where the differ- but it did not want to come out. On a

32 ent groups were introduced to their guides. Then we were put on a large motorised canoe for a 2 hour trip down the River Nepo (a tributary of the Amazon), seeing Cocoi Herons, Yellow-headed Caracaras amongst others. We had been given an excellent guide, Oscar Tupuy, who had worked at the Lodge for well over 20 years. Sacha was amazing – even though it is very popular and there are Hoatzin, always ready to wheeze when we quite a lot of guests, the guides made came by sure what the group wanted, and then kept us out of the way of everyone Woodpecker and Crested Oropendola else, so that we felt it was mostly to our now massive list. We had a “our” rain forest. The accommodation really early start the next morning be- was great, even with a heated cup- cause we going to the licks, down- board to dry binoculars and cameras stream on the River Nepo, seeing (very much needed – guess why it is Limpkin, Pied Plovers and White- called a rain forest?). As well as fronted Capuchin monkeys first. The Oscar, we had a second local guide licks are clays which the parrots come who helped find the wildlife, carried to, and one theory is that they use the the ponchos for everyone and acted components within the clays to neu- as a “gopha” – on one occasion he tralise the effects of eating fruit. We had to run and collect our lunch, all in were on the canoe for the first lick, the pouring rain. Arriving at the river and after a short while, the parrots port, we walked along a mostly came in: Mealy Amazons, Yellow- planked walkway, then got into a crowned parrots, White-eyed Para- small, paddled canoe to cross the keets, Blue-headed Parrots and lake (an oxbow lake, which was once Dusky-headed Parakeets. They were part of the river) to the lodge itself. screeching and squabbling, and we Hoatzin and Black-capped Donaco- were really close. We understood the bius are resident on the lake, and the reason for the early start, because former are called “stinky birds” be- soon they started to leave, and other cause they eat leaves and well, fart a lot. They have a gorgeous asthmatic wheeze, and clamber about the branches as if they cannot fly. All the public places were near the lake side, and on stilts (there were sometimes some quite large Spectacled Caimans (crocodylia) underneath), whereas our chalets were up on the higher ground.

We birded on the deck by one of the dining rooms on the first late after- At the clay lick: Mealy Amazons and Yellow- noon/evening, adding Chestnut crowned Parrots

33 canoes were arriving with more peo- bird), a roosting pair of Crested Owls ple. The next lick was after a short (they hunt high up, but roost low) and walk, during which we saw Yellow- a Dragon Forest Lizard (which was tufted Woodpecker, Pygmy Antwren about 40cm long). In the afternoon, and Collared Puffbird. We were en- we went for a paddled canoe trip tertained by the Russet-backed Oro- around the lake and the channels that pendolas which have an amazing liq- lead off from it. This was very restful, uid-like call ending in a “poop” as they and we saw our first decent sightings lean forward! At the lick were more of Squirrel Monkeys and Red Howler parrots, but these were more wary: Monkeys. We also saw an old friend: Cobalt-winged Parakeets, Scarlet- Black-crowned Night-heron (we had shouldered Parrotlets, Orange- previously seen Great Egret and Barn crowned Parrots and eight huge Scar- Swallow), as well as good sightings of let Macaws! Silvered Antbird and Rufous-tailed Flatbill.

A rather damp Orange-cheeked Parrot Crested Owls in Sacha Day two was the canopy walkway, strung between three pylons, and up The following day, we also went to the eleven flights of stairs. Two people canopy walkway (the designated had to be congratulated on getting up group had declined it), and saw some there: either for current fitness or fear new birds: Ivory-billed Aracari, Great of heights. We stayed there for hours Potoo, Thick-billed Euphonia, Ornate and had sightings of many birds, in- Hawk-Eagle (almost too colourful for cluding: White-throated Toucan, a bird of prey), King Vulture (pretty far Spangled Cotinga, Speckled Cha- away), Bare-necked Fruitcrow (not a calaca, Gilded Barbet, Paradise crow, sadly) and some Black-mantled Tanager, Opal-rumped Tanager and Tamarins playing on the very top of Green-and-Gold Tanager (which I the canopy like a bunch of kids. ln think should be a South African bird). the afternoon, we took a paddled ca- We had to come down because of the noe along the channel to the wooden impending rain, and after sheltering tower, which was an irregular wooden from the worst of the rain at the bot- staircase built around a huge emer- tom, we made our way back to the gent (i.e. a tree that was higher than lodge for lunch, but not before seeing the canopy) with a platform at the top. the vent of a Screaming Piha (it was As well as the usual suspects, we the only view we could get of the also saw Purple-throated Fruitcrow

34 and Red-bellied Macaw. On the way Since we had 12 hours before our back, in the gathering gloom, we saw flight to Johannesburg, Andy had ar- our only Rufescent Tiger-heron, Snail ranged a day birding! So after not Kite (it has a very slender, hooked bill much sleep, we met our new guide, for eating snails). After dinner we Carlos, and were whisked off to three studied fish-eating bats flying over the main places. Our first bird, seen at lake, but alas, did not see them catch the airport as we loaded the car, was any fish. a House Sparrow! The first proper stop was a wetland where we saw Southern Caracara, Campo Flicker, Brazilian Teal, Chestnut-capped Blackbird, and our fourth also-South African bird, White-faced Whistling Duck, as well as Silver Teal, Yellow- chinned Spinetail and White-barred

Black-mantled Tamarin, eating a lizard nearly as long as itself Streamer-tailed Tyrants displaying

On our final morning, we set off ear- Piculet (in the trees nearby). Carlos lier so that we could take our time on was very excited by the Spectacled the lake and on the walkway back to Water Tyrant, because he had never River Nepo. New birds included: Or- seen one there before. The second ange-winged Parrots, Olivaceous stop was in a more wooded and Woodcreeper, Sulphury Flycatcher grassed area, and we saw Saffron and Crimson-crested Woodpecker. Finch, Sayaca Tanager (had to see a On the return trip to Coca, we were tanager!) and Ruby-crowned Tana- very excited to see Black Skimmers. ger. There was a short stop off to see This was followed by the only day off a Sao Paulo Antwern, a newly for the hard core birders, and we (partially) described bird! The third spent the day in Quito to catch our stop was near a lake, and we added breath, go shopping for prezzies for Rufous-browed Peppershrike, Brazil- our loved ones to try to convince them ian Tanager and displaying Streamer- that we had been thinking of them, tailed Tyrants. Further on, we saw and take a guided tour of the old part the huge stick nest of a Firewood- of the city, which is a World Heritage getter (the nest did look like firewood), site. That night, we flew to Lima, and and nearby, the bird itself, as well as then Sao Paulo. White Woodpeckers and Orange-

35 eyed Thornbird. On the way back to species in Ecuador (everyone’s list the airport, Thinie saw a Toco Toucan was a little different), and 94 species fly across, but the rest of us were try- in our day trip near Sao Paulo, with ing to find passports and repacking an overall total of 640 species for the binoculars! whole trip (not all were new in Brazil). But now I have a major problem: after This is obviously only an overview of this fantastic trip-of-a-lifetime, where the trip, and many birds have not do I go for my next trip? been mentioned. In total, I saw 578

Photography Course 6th July 2013

I wish to thank the club and Robbie Aspeling for such a well organised and professional event.

I have played with cameras for many years but never realised how much I had to learn and Robbie did his best to “enlighten” all who attended.

Those who missed it even the experienced I am sure would have learnt a lot.

Thanks again to the club and specially Murrie who looked after us at the venue.

Regards.

Colin Gerrans

Elandsvlei near Bapsfontein, 12 Rarities and Unusual Feb 2013 (SR). Sightings Report: Pectoral Sandpiper. Geelpoot- strandloper: at least one bird con- April 2013 tinued to show at the margins of wetlands at Kgomo-Gomo, North By André Marx West Province for a considerable period of time into March 2013 Several excellent rarity reports contin- when several reports were re- ued into the later part of summer from ceived, 5 Jan 2013 (GBird). One January to April 2013. African Skim- bird was at Dickens’ Pan at mers appeared once again, this time Elandsvlei near Bapsfontein, 16 at Vaalkop Dam and an immature Feb 2013 (MA), with another record Lesser Black-backed Gull was at a of a bird at this locality, 1 Apr 2013, very accessible pan in Midrand for a (AB). while, to name just two national rarities. The spate of Pectoral Sandpiper records abound and could mean that species’ rarity status may have to be reviewed. SABAP2 records contrib- uted a great deal once again to this report, as can be evidenced by the reference to pentads (5 minute squares) in the report, as did the Wider Gauteng 100km Challenge with a number of birders coming up with some specials in their pursuit of a 400+ total for the region for this year. My thanks to everyone who contrib- utes records directly to me at the e- Pectoral Sandpiper / Geelpootstrandloper – Dylan Vasapolli mail address given below.

National Rarities / Nasionaler- Lesser Black-backed Gull. ariteite Kleinswartrugmeeu: an immature bird was present at the Glen Austin Western Marsh Harrier. Europese Pan, Midrand, remaining at this lo- Vleivalk: one bird was at Marievale cality on and off for two weeks on 13 Jan 2013 where it normally when a number of local birders re- occurs annually (LvD, AV). ported it, 18 Jan 2013 (GBird). Black-tailed Godwit. Swartstert- African Skimmer. Waterploeër: griet: the bird reported in the previ- four birds were found at Vaalkop ous rarities report was still present Dam on 22 Apr 2013 and were sub- at Marievale Bird Sanctuary for sequently seen in the days following most of January when it was ob- by several birders (FP). This is an served by a number of birders, 10 extremely unusual occurrence as Jan 2013 (GBird). Another bird ap- these birds normally occur as soli- peared at Dickens’ Pan at tary vagrants in South Africa. (MW).

37 ings in Pretoria, 20 Apr 2013, (LvD). Pallid Harrier. Witborsvleivalk: a male bird was seen in pentad 2525_2850 east of Kwamhlanga near the Mpumalanga/Gauteng bor- der, 9 Feb 2013, (ST, ER). Another bird was in pentad 2610_2715 north of Carletonville, 29 Mar 2013, (AV). An immature male was in pentad 2530_2855, just south of Verena on the Gauteng/Mpumalanga bound- ary, 1 Apr 2013, (ST, AM). Corn Crake. Kwartelkoning: one bird was seen in the Groenkloof Na- Lesser Black-backed Gull / Kleinswartrug- meeu – Niall Perrins ture Reserve, Pretoria, 16 Jan 2013 (VP). Another record was of one bird on the edge of a vlei near Brackendowns in Alberton in pentad 2620_2805, 18 Feb 2013 (DV). Terrestrial Brownbul. Boskrap- per: a group of birds were found in pentad 2505_2805 in dense woodland on the edge of the Kgomo- Kgomo floodplain, 2 Mar 2013 (EM, AV). A very interesting record and confirmation that this species is pre- African Skimmer / Waterploeër – Johan sent in this area (about 75km north Janse van Rensburg of Pretoria), as well as providing further evidence that this is a species Regional Rarities / Streeksrariteite that may slowly be colonising areas south of its usual range. European Honey Buzzard. Wes- Yellow-bellied Greenbul. Geelbor- pedief: There were several sight- swillie: one bird was present in ings of this species for the period; a pentad 2525_2730, west of Roode- pale phase bird was seen circling koppies Dam, 22 Mar 2013, (ST). over the Delta Environmental Cen- This represents another new locality tre, Johannesburg, 4 Jan 2013 for this species. (GL); one bird was at De Wildt, 20 River Warbler. Sprinkaansanger: Feb 2013 (JW); at least one bird during a BLNG club ringing session was at Northern Farm again when it at Buffelsdrift, north-east of Pretoria was observed on 24 Feb 2013, be- in pentad 2535_2815, this species ing present for at least a few weeks, was a surprise find in one of nets (RS); one bird was at Kgomo- when it could be seen close at hand Kgomo in pentad 2505_2805, 30 by many club members present, 12 Mar 2013, (NP). Jan 2013 (BLNGBird). At least 3 Ayers’s Hawk Eagle. Kleinja- and possibly up to 5 birds were garend: one bird was observed in heard singing distinctly at Waterfall flight just east of the Union Build- Estate, Midrand, in pentad

Reserve near Carletonville when one bird was present, 17 Jan 2013 (CWR, ID). Lesser Spotted Eagle. Gevlekte Arend: an immature was seen in the Devon area where this species is not normally encountered, in pentad 2625_2840, 12 Dec 2012, (CWJ). One bird was still in this pentad when it was photographed 12 Jan 2013, (DV). Long-crested Eagle. Langkuifar- end: one bird was seen again at the River Warbler / Sprinkaansanger – Marna Buys grounds of Delta Environmental Centre, Johannesburg, 6 Jan 2013 2600_2805, on 21 Mar 2013 and (GL). Another bird was seen just off one was still present at least 10 the Zaagkuildrift road north of Pre- days later, (RS, AM). Another bird toria, 10 Feb 2013 (LR). One bird was at Helderfontein Estate, north- was present at Hennopsrivier near ern Johannesburg in pentad the Hartbeespoort Dam, 6 Apr 2013 2555_2800, 31 Mar 2013, (AM, (RvD). RS). Buff-spotted Flufftail. Gevlekte Mountain Wagtail. Bergkwikkie: a Vleikuiken: The distinct call of this single bird was a surprise find at species was heard over the course Fountains Valley, Pretoria, 19 Feb of a couple of days from an area of 2013; the bird remained at this lo- woodland on the Jukskei River in cality for a number of weeks (FP, River Club, Sandton, 15 Jan 2013 GD). (BA via HSR). Bronze- w i n g e d C o u r s e r . Other Interesting Observations / Bronsvlerkdrawwertjie: a road Ander Interessante Waarnemings killed bird was found at the top of the CSIR hill, Pretoria, 4 Feb 2013 Black-necked Grebe. Swartnek- (AK). dobbertjie: two birds were at European Nightjar. Europese Na- Mkhombo Dam in pentad guil: one bird was discovered by 2505_2845, 27 Apr 2013, (JA, RG). local birder Malcolm Wilson in his Dwarf Bittern. Dwergrietreier: one Robindale, Randburg, garden, 28 bird was seen in the Florence Jan 2013, this being the same gar- Bloom Bird Sanctuary at Delta Park, den where the Collared Flycatcher Johannesburg, in pentad was discovered last year! The bird 2605_2800, 7 Mar 2013, an un- roosted in the garden for a number usual bird for suburban Johannes- of days during which time many lo- burg and only the second record for cal birders were able to see it, 28 the locality, 7 Mar 2013, (GL). Jan 2013 (MW). African Cuckoo Hawk. Koekoek- Woodland Kingfisher. Bosveld- valk: this species was recorded in visvanger: at least two birds were pentad 2615_2720 at Abe Bailey in pentad 2630_2800 in Henley-on-

Klip, south of Johannesburg, where one bird was positively identified at they have been known to breed in Suikerbosrand NR where this bird recent years, 5 Jan 2013 (LR). appears to occur occasionally, 23 Swallow-tailed Bee-eater. Mik- Dec 2012, (D,K&SvS). stertbyvanger: a solitary bird was Red-backed Mannikin. Rooirug- at the Delta Environmental Centre vret: up to 6 birds were present at in pentad 2605_2800, 7 Apr 2013 Fountains Valley, Pretoria, and (GL). were viewed on and off for a few Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill. weeks by several birders, 21 Feb Geelbekneushoringvoël: a single 2013 (AR). Collective opinion from bird was at the Klipriviersberg NR in the local rarities committee is that pentad 2615_2800, 10 Mar 2013, these birds are unlikely to have dis- (RvdS); with another record in the persed to Gauteng without assis- same locality of probably the same tance and are in all likelihood es- bird 16 Mar 2013 (KL). caped birds from an aviary; any Grey-backed Sparrowlark. Grys- breeding activity should be noted. ruglewerik: at least 20 birds were at the grassland plains at Kgomo- Kgomo in pentad 2505_2805, 29 Mar 2013, (RB). Eurasian Golden Oriole. Eu- ropese Wielewaal: one bird was at Suikerbosrand NR in pentad 2630_2815, 5 Jan 2013, (LR).

Lark-like Bunting / Vaalstreepkoppie – Stephan Terblanche Lark-like Bunting. Vaalstreepkop- pie: There were a number of records for this species in the latter part of summer; several birds were recorded in the Carletonville area in Eurasian Golden Oriole / Europese Wielewaal – Lance Robinson four different pentads in the vicinity of 2605_2720, 9 Mar 2013 (NP); Dark-capped Yellow Warbler. three birds were in pentad Geelsanger: one bird was photo- 2650_2800 just west of Deneysville, graphed in pentad 2625_2810 at a 12 Mar 2013 (JA); 5 birds were ob- wetland next to the R550 adjacent served near Moloto, 17 Mar 2013, to Suikerbosrand NR, 24 Feb 2013, (JA); one bird at Klipriversberg NR, (RvT). This is a new locality for this pentad 2615_2800, 28 Mar 2013, species, which is not known south (RvdS); in pentads of Johannesburg. 2505_2820/2825, both situated just African Rock Pipit. Klipkoester: north of Rust De Winter Dam, a few

birds were present on 31 Mar 2013 Lance Robinson (LR) (ST, ER); one bird was east of Lisl van Deventer (LvD) Ekangala near Bronkhorstspruit in Matthew Axelrod (MA) pentad 2540_2845, 29 Apr 2013, Renier Balt (RB) (DR). Richard van der Spuy (RvdS) Rita van Dyk (RvD) Observers / Waarnemers: Rob Geddes (RG) Ron Searle (RS) Alan Kemp (AK) Rowan van Tonder (RvT) Allan Ridley (AR) Ryno Kemp (RK) André Marx (AM) Selwyn Rautenbach (SR) Andy Branfield (AB) Stephan Terblanche (ST) Anneke Vincent (AV) Vincent Parker (VP) BirdLife Northern Gauteng birders (BLNGBird) This column is mainly concerned with Butch Abbott (BA) observations of rarities and interesting Craig Whittington-Jones (CWJ) sightings made in the greater Gau- Dirk, Karen & Stefan van Stuyven- teng region, defined as 100km from berg (D, K & SvS) the centre of both Johannesburg and Don Reid (DR) Pretoria, however observations made Dylan Vasapolli (DV) further afield are also welcome. While Ernst Retief (ER) the majority of records are included it Etienne Marais (EM) is sometimes necessary to exclude Faansie Peacock (FP) some depending on whether the sub- Gauteng birders (GBird) ject matter has already been well re- Geoff Lockwood (GL) ported. Occasionally records are Greg Davies (GD) sourced from the Internet. Members Hanneline Smit-Robinson (HSR) are invited to submit details of sight- Ian Davidson (ID) ings to André Marx at e-mail Jerome Ainsley (JA) [email protected] or 083 John Wesson (JW) 4117674. Kevin Lavery (KL)

2013 SUBSCRIPTIONS The Wits Bird Club Membership subscriptions annual increase has been agreed. As from 1st July 2013 the new membership fees will be as follows:

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Brown-hooded Kingfisher - photo by Kevin Lavery

Bronze Mannikin - photo by Kevin Lavery

Woolly-necked Stork - photo by Kevin Lavery