Bokmakierie Newsletter of the Witwatersrand Club December 2014 No 241

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BirdLife Giving Conservation Wings ARBOR DAY - 6th SEPTEMBER 2014 Photos by Lia Steen

Joan Strugnell WBC Members

Scout Group Barbi Forsyth, Peter Austin & Andy Featherstone

Andy Featherstone with Scout Group Joan Strugnell showing the Scouts a thing or two P O Box 641 WITWATERSRAND Cresta 2118 BIRD CLUB Tel: 011 782 7267 Fax: 086 512 7696 ISSUE NO 241 Email: [email protected] DECEMBER 2014 Web: www.witsbirdclub.org.za

Inside this issue: 37 Rarities and unusual sightings re- port: August 2014 compiled by An- 4 Letter from the Chair dré Marx 5 Longest Tick by Rolf Wiesler 7 Zululand Highlights by Anthony Cavanagh 2014 Committee: 9 Rufous-cheeked Nightjar by Mar- Honorary President Murrie Slotar celle Van Wyk Chairman Andy Featherstone 10 Prieska Atlas Bash 19 - 24th Sep- Vice-Chairman Barbi Forsyth tember 2014 by Lia Steen Treasurer Leanne Webster Courses Murrie Slotar 14 Hand-reared Penguins have the Conservation Barbi Forsyth same Survival Chance as Wild Evening Meetings Lia Steen Ones Programme Ginny Mes 15 A Review of Bird Ringing at Mel- ville Koppies From 1973 -2014 by Club Secretary Lauraine Leigh James McLuskie 20 ’s New Fishing Regula- DEADLINE FOR APRIL 2015 IS- tions Could Save 30,000 Seabirds SUE - 1st MARCH 2015 a Year 21 Trip to Namibia, September 2014, Contributions, addressed to the Editor, can be: to find Short-toed Rock-Thrushes- by Gail Schaum E-mailed to: [email protected] 23 “R-OC(K)TOBER 2014” by Barbi Forsyth Posted to: The Editor, Witwatersrand Bird Club, P O Box 641, Cresta, 2118 26 Hoogland 13 September 2014 by Jan van Heerden Delivered to: Delta Environmental 28 The Great Shoebill Hunt – Ugan- Centre, Road No 3, Victory Park da, with Africa Geographic by Lesley Cornish Faxed to: 086 512 7696 36 Magui Rayner by Howard & Car- men

Cover Photo: White-throated Robin-Chat by Cover Design: Philip Tarboton Trevor Charters 3 tential new venue for our evening meet- Letter ings. Please look at future events in the Weekly Reminder in the new year as we From intend to try at least one of these venues to see how it will work. If you have any The strong views on our venue or suggestions for improvement then please let Lauraine Chair or myself know. Dear Members, One of our recent successes has been the Calendar Competition, the standard of As we were unable to post the August edi- photography has been amazing and if tion due to the postal strike you will be re- you have not seen the calendar yet please ceiving the August and December editions make sure you do as it has a terrific col- at the same time, our apologies for this but lection of photographs. Thank you to all it was just too expensive to arrange for an of you who took part and to Robbie As- alternative delivery system. peling and Albert Froneman for judging Over the last four months have had cel- the photographs. Congratulations to all ebrations in the form of East Rand’s 25th photographers whose images appear in Anniversary and Joan Strugnell’s 90th the Calendar. birthday we have also sadly lost members As this is the last Bokmakierie of 2014 let too. On behalf of the club, condolences to me conclude by wishing everyone a happy Howard Rayner on the loss of Magui. and restful holiday over the festive season. Murrie Slotar our Honorary President will If you are travelling drive carefully and be moving to Durban in the new year to arrive safely. For those that have time be with her family and Barbi Forsyth has to birdwatch I wish you lots of interesting decided to stand down from the Com- sightings and perhaps a few new for mittee after many years of loyal service. your list. May 2015 be a wonderful year. They will both be sorely missed and the current Committee and myself wish them Andy Featherstone all the best for the future. Barbi will still be involved with the club and will be assisting her successor with the Conservation port- folio whilst they are learning the ropes. The loss of both Murrie and Barbi will be leav- ing gaps in the Committee and we would really like to encourage members to come forward and assist on the 2015 Committee. Whilst not a glamourous job, it is a very necessary part of running the Wits Bird Club so please help if you can. At the Bosberaad in October the Commit- tee decided to revive the search for a po-

4 Longest Tick News Report: “Just over a month ago, nobody had even By Rolf Wiesler considered Red-necked Buzzard as a bird that might have occurred within the So what has been your “longest tick” since Southern African sub region, but then the you started birding? photos surfaced of a bird that was photo- No, I don’t mean a tick that was 2cm long graphed on 28 July 2014 in the Buffalo Re- in your bird book due to a bumpy road serve in Namibia and everything changed. or updating your book in candle light (and not because this was romantic but rather due to the fact that electricity has not reached the part of darkest Africa you were birding in). What I mean is from the time you saw the bird, how long did it take before you ticked your book and high-fived your spouse for a lifer. Okay, so most spouses don’t under- stand this high-five practice but believe me they get used to it eventually……. Red-necked Buzzard - photo by Rolf I thought we had held the record some Wiesler time ago while we were birding in Mo- It seems like this record has inspired a num- zambique. We had just seen a Common ber of birders to go back through their old Cuckoo, which I photographed, when photographs and it would appear that Karin (my wife) and Grahame Snow spot- there are now 4 records of this ted another cuckoo and this one looked which in chronological order are: smaller and different. After photographing this second bird we spent a good time try- • 18 June 2008 – Kgalagadi Transfrontier ing to positively identify it, using the field Park guides we had at hand. On returning to • 11 August 2012 - Mahango Game Re- South Africa we were still not sure, so Gra- serve Namibia hame sent the photos to various experts for their input, including a cuckoo expert • 11 July 2014 - Chobe National Park Bot- (you get one of those?) in America. swana Final verdict - Lesser Cuckoo and five min- • 28 July 2014 - Buffalo Reserve Namibia utes of fame. Interesting that all records span roughly a 2 Even for me, a non-birder, this wait was month period over mid-winter. Perhaps a excruciating but well worth it in the pattern is forming and these birds actually end. However, this record was recently move south into the sub region during the smashed….. austral winter”. On 8 September 2014 Trevor Hardaker I read this update, but it meant very little reported the following in his SA Rare Bird to me….. 5 The next day we received a call from Gra- Of course this disrupted all my lists, which hame, who had also read the report and are in date order (the date I photo- wanted to discuss a “sighting” with us, so graphed the bird as a lifer). Anyhow, the I promptly handed the phone to Karin. Red-necked Buzzard became number Listening to the one-sided conversation 600 photo lifer, moving the Golden to and seeing Karin’s excitement I knew that number 700. I am slowly moving closer to something was up. the 800 mark – maybe in the next exciting episode…. After hanging-up Karin went to her “re- cords” to look for a date, and then asked me to check my photos as she was sure I had taken some. The photos she wanted to check were of an odd looking buzzard that we had seen near Ngepi Lodge, Caprivi, on 8 March 2009. At the time we all realised there was something strange about the bird as it was “out-of-area” and looked different. I had managed one long range photo- graph of it sitting in a tree before everyone bailed out the vehicle, ignoring the possi- bility of dangerous and long lost landmines, etcetera. I was nominated to take the lead (I can be attacked first) so I could get a “better shot”. Luckily I man- aged to take a few as it flushed. After much discussion and by process of elimination (of the known buzzards that occur in the area) we concluded that it was a juvenile/aberrant Augur Buzzard. The photographs were duly named and filed away – until 2014. These same photos were then sent to Tre- vor who confirmed that our Augur Buz- zard was in fact a Red-necked Buzzard. Our sighting was in summer, which also disproved the notion of mid-winter move- ments of these birds into the sub region. So try to beat this record…….. five years af- ter seeing a bird we now have a lifer (luck- ily we all remember the sighting well).

6 us any longer. Zululand Higlights Sue and I together with our good friends, Text and Photos by Anthony David and Margie, were staying at Mave- Cavanagh la Game Lodge, which is one of half a dozen private lodges in the Zululand Rhino Reserve. The pampering of guests and at- tention to detail by the staff is superb. The lodge has a maximum of ten guests at any one time accommodated in well-appoint- ed tents with good views of the park from one’s verandah. Small water troughs in front of each tent attract a wide variety of bird life and small animals. All the guests take their meals with the ranger immedi- ately after the morning and evening game The ten-seat game drive vehicle edged drives with all food and drink being pro- closer to the black rhino, which was aware vided by the lodge. of our presence but continued just to stare myopically towards us. The clicking of cameras was the only sound emanating from our vehicle as we looked in awe at the sight of this magnificent but very much endangered . Andre, our driver, edged a little closer to the rhino, and, be- ing downwind, we hoped to not to spook it into running away into the thick bush. Our luck held, so much so that instead of running away, the rhino decided to inves- tigate who was intruding on its turf, and On our game drives the very knowledge- came lumbering toward us. Andre put able and informative rangers pointed out the truck into reverse and we backed off numerous nest sites of both Wahlberg’s giving the rhino its space, but not before I and Tawny Eagles, some of which had took some decent photos of this rare and a chick in the nest. We were fortunate in truly amazing animal of which there are that the overseas visitors from the Nether- only a few thousand left on the planet. lands, who shared our game drives, were also keen birders and took great delight We continued our morning drive in the Zu- in looking at the Flycatchers, Waxbills, Sun- luland Rhino Reserve and came across a birds, Robins etc. all typical of the lowveld pride of lions in a dried up riverbed. The bush. Andre saw two Shelly’s Francolin dart lions had obviously eaten well and were into the long grass and obligingly drove the content to laze and pose out in the open. vehicle a few metres into the grass to flush The large male lying on its side raised its them and so enable a confirmed sighting head and looked at us, , then almost con- for all of us. Mid- way through the four- temptuously, rolled over so as not to face hour game drive the ranger would stop 7 the vehicle in a suitable spot and everyone The next day David suggested that we then alighted for tea and coffee on the drive to Ngoya where he’d previ- morning drive and for somewhat stronger ously seen Green Barbets. Ngoya forest is beverages on the evening drive. The ter- located some 30km from Empangeni and rain in the park is mainly moist savannah is a remnant of the original coastal forest with patches of lowland and riverine forest. that once covered much of the Zululand In places the bush is quite dense but the coastal belt. A 4x4 vehicle is recommend- very sharp eyes of the experienced rangers ed, as the approaches to the forest are off and their excellent knowledge of the local road and, on entering the forest, the vehicle flora and fauna results in a very enjoyable track is in places very rocky and undulat- safari experience. ing. Overgrown sections of lush green veg- etation close in on all sides making scrap- ing sounds on the bodywork as one drives slowly through, and low branches had to be held clear of the vehicle on more than one occasion. In a few places we got out of the car and walked slowly along the path hoping to hear the “kwop-kwop-kwop” sound of the Green Barbet. We craned our necks looking up into the canopy in the hope of seeing this elusive and highly local- Southern Ground Hornbill ised resident bird found nowhere else in the country. Sue, always our best spotter, spied After leaving Mavela Game Lodge we a bird near the forest floor but as it flew drove a short distance south to the Isi- off we recognized it immediately as a Cin- mangaliso Wetland Park, formerly known namon Dove, now called a Lemon Dove, as St Lucia Wetland Park. Back in the which is another forest dwelling bird and 1980s when we lived in Natal (as it was a good sighting nevertheless. After spend- then called), Sue and I often visited friends ing a few hours in the forest we eventually who were stationed at Cape Vidal, had to call it a day and regretfully did not and visiting the St Lucia wetland again, spot the Green Barbet. On exiting the for- brought back some very happy memories. est however, we came across three South- From the elevated boardwalk one has a ern Ground Hornbills striding over the splendid view of the park, where hippos, hillside grasslands oblivious of the nearby pelicans and other resident wild life can be grazing cattle, the latter also taking us out easily seen on the lake and on the plains of our forest reverie and reminding us that below. On the walking trail, in the vicin- we were in a very rural part of KZN. ity of the boardwalk, we had an excellent sighting of Pink–throated Twinspot, which For information on Mavela Game Lodge is one of the specials in the area. Collared go to www.mavela.co.za Pratincoles were plentiful and allowed me to get quite close to photograph them before taking off and then settling again some thirty metres further away. 8 On the 18 October 2014 I went back to Rufous-cheeked check on them again . But she moved Nightjar them again. So I walked around in that area again. But couldn't find them. I re- Text and Photos by Marcelle ally would have liked to see them one last Van Wyk time, but that didn't happen. I think they would have looked almost like mom be- On the 27 September 2014 my brother cause they were 18 days old already. And was walking in the field bringing the sheep then they would have been so beautiful. home. And suddenly the nightjar flew up. He stood still and had a look around and So that was happening at home. We live saw the eggs. He made a mark with on a farm on Brandvlei just outside Rand- some rocks nearby. So that he could show fontein. me a bit later.

They say incubation starts with first laid egg . Period 15-17 days. On the 30 Septem- ber 2014 the chicks hatched.

On 12 October 2014 I went back to check on them . But she moved them. So I walked around in that area and eventu- ally the mom flew up again. So I stood still,,, and saw them. Yay found them again. So I made a new mark close by. They say nestling period is 18-20 days. 9 time, we started with pentad 2945_2355 as Prieska Atlas Bash we entered the farm road. We managed to do another 2 pentads (2950_2355 and 19 - 24th September 2950_2400) before sunset and saw 56 spe- cies for the day. This is also the only area 2014 were we found Pale-winged Starling. Out of range were Crested Barbet and Green- Text and Photos by Lia Steen winged Pytilia. After a very good night’s sleep, we left Andy Featherstone and André Marx our lovely cottage at 5.30am to start the planned this atlas bash months ahead of first of 5 pentads for the day (2955_2355, time. Two weeks before the due date, I 2950_2350, 2950_2345, 2955_2345, was asked by André to join Jerome Ains- 2940_2310, the latter near Prieska). As we ley and John Drowley as a passenger. After were in the Upper Karoo, we had wide a tense wait to get my desired farm ac- expanses of landscape, some mountains commodation, I managed to get it for the here and there with lots of sheep. As we night of the 19th, and we started looking followed the public dirt roads, we drove forward to this event. through some farm yards. When we On the morning of the 19th, Jerome picked stopped, the farmers would ask us if we me up at 5am. The N12 route took us were ok, to which we always explained through Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp, Wol- that we were doing a SABAP2 survey and maransstad, Bloemhof, Christiana, War- the hospitality was fantastic. We were al- renton, Kimberley, and through Hope- ways invited in, which we declined, but ac- town. Between Bloemhof and Kimberley cepted the invitation to look for birds. The we saw Cape and White-backed Vul- area from Hopetown to Strydenburg de- tures. 24km south of Hopetown we turned livered good birds, including African Rock off to Nuwedam Farm and our accom- Pipit, Ashy Tit, Layard’s Tit-Babbler and modation Akkedisbult Cottage, which Karoo Eremomela. Doing the last pentad was an absolute delight. Not wasting any we had more Karoo Eremomela and we

10 came across a working saltpan in the mid- a distance away from the homestead, to dle of nowhere, with a lone Black-winged do some birding. Here we had a Horus Stilt. Arriving at our accommodation, and Bradfield’s Swift and our first pair of Gariep Guest Lodge in Prieska, we met up Denham’s Bustard. At the veggie patch with the other 14 members participating in we had Ashy Tit, Orange River White-eye this atlas bash. On this Saturday we saw and others. We had driven on a very quiet road and as we approached the town of Copperton we found ourselves in front of a locked gate. After close scrutiny, we found it was not locked but closed as if it was, otherwise we would have to drive the same road back in the dark. Driving back to Prieska from the ghost mine of Copper- ton, we came across a sight of many So- ciable Weaver’s nests on top of telephone poles. As I was taking photos at one point 66 species. counting 25 nest in front and behind me, John noticed 2 Verreaux’s Eagles on top of Once again, early on Sunday morn- a pole further away and a Verreaux’s Ea- ing we left to reach our pentad at sun- gle juvenile on top of a Sociable Weavers rise (2935_2225, 2935_2220, 2940_2220, nest. We also noticed 2 nests being used as 2945_2220, 2950_2220. These pentads a “dinner table” with bones and fresh prey. were to the north-west of Prieska). The We thought this a bit unusual! We had 59 Karoo here is a lot bleaker and flatter than species for the day. to the east, but again, the farmers were very helpful allowing us on the farms to do On Monday morning Jerome, Andrew (a the atlasing, at one point an elderly couple guide from Barberspan) and I were up pointed us to their vegetable garden, quite early again to do pentads to the south-

11 up around the agricultural holdings along the river, not seeing the river at all, but the birds were great. African Reed Warbler, and a feeding area on a farm gave us a very large flock of Red-billed . This was probably the best day species-wise at 74. On Tuesday the 23rd, we once again arrived early at our start south of Pries- ka, (towards Britstown), doing pen- east of Prieska (2955_2310, 2955_2305, tads 3025_2315, 3025_2310, 3020_2305, 3025_2300, 3025_2255. This area was pretty desolate with many farm houses 2955_2300, 2940_2305, 2940_2250). These unoccupied. Initially the area was in a hilly pentads were quite a challenge as we area and then became flatter, with plenty were not sure if we could run through them of sheep and large dry pans. At one spot from one side to the next. As the sun rose, we had a lone Blue Crane close to some we were listening to the dawn chorus and sheep, and an African Spoonbill flew in to at one point we saw a Double-banded start feeding in a farm dam. These birds Courser in a bare patch. We reached the created some Out of Range forms! Driving road we planned to follow, but we came across a locked gate. We turned around and then followed the other leg of the fork which led to a farm house. Here we asked permission to drive on the farm as the road we expected to be there, was just a farm track. The farmer’s wife gave us permis- sion to go to the mountain and looking at the contour map, we notice that it lead us into a second pentad! This was the best: we had umpteen Namaqua Sandgrouse, back in the afternoon we had quite a few Lark-like Bunting, Grey-backed Sparrow- rain storms. We had 66 species for the day. lark, Larks, Rufous-eared Warbler, a pair On our last day, we decided not to do any of Denham’s and Kori Bustard, Blue Crane atlasing, as Jerome wanted to take some and our first European Bee-eaters for the photographs at a given point that had season. After spending 4 hours on this farm been photographed almost a century ago. we had to backtrack to Prieska to get This project is being done by SANBI to de- to our last pentads. The wind was blow- termine the environmental change of the ing quite fiercely and we had a grader area. We also drove to an area where the levelling the road surface causing a lot of Black-eared Sparrowlarks had been seen noise and dust with low bird counts. Our the day before, but with no luck. As we last pentad was close to the Orange River had to go past the Verreaux’s Eagle nest, with very little road to travel. We ended 12 we stopped to take more photos of a par- observations that will help our knowledge ent sitting with the juvenile. of the ranges of the birds and eventually the conservation of the birds in the long We had a great weekend, seeing a South run. In total, we saw 113 species and quite a African landscape we have never seen few lifers added to our life lists. before, did some voluntary citizen scientist

New Stock Fleeces with Club logo — all sizes R190 Golf Shirts with Club logo — all sizes R125 Special Offer — Terry Oatley & Graeme Arnott’s “Robins of Africa” book R55 2015 Calendar R90 13 have the waterproofing necessary to dive Hand-reared Pen- for food, and therefore the chicks may guins have the same starve. SANCCOB recovers these ‘abandoned' Survival Chance as penguin chicks and cares for them until they can be reintroduced into breeding Wild Ones colonies. Researchers documented the care, release, and survival of over 840 and 480, in 2006 and 2007 respectively, hand- reared chicks. Of those admitted, 91 percent and 73 per- cent respectively were released into the wild. By December 2012 researchers ob- served that 12 birds had bred, six at their colony of origin. Lead author Dr. Sherley estimates 14 per- cent of hand-reared chicks would make it to four years old and that between one and two percent would actually become breeding individuals by that age. "Although these numbers are low, they are effectively indistinguishable from the numbers that would be expected from wild birds," said Dr Sherley They are also important as the African penguin popula- Hand reared penguin chicks are just as tion is currently decreasing at more than 10 likely to survive back in the wild as their percent a year. naturally raised counterparts a new study "Over the last decade, food availability showed. has decreased dramatically for penguins Scientists from the University of Cape Town breeding in western South Africa and have been studying the Endangered Af- many birds now struggle to rear their rican penguin, whose population has chicks before they need to initiate moult. been declining since 2001, and monitoring Hand-reared chicks can sustain popula- abandoned chicks at the Southern African tions in the short-term and help us under- Foundation for the Conservation of Coast- stand how we might create new breeding al Birds (SANCCOB). colonies in areas of higher food availability." Chicks are abandoned by their parents if the chick has not fledged by the time they moult (a 21 day process between Septem- ber and January) because they no longer

14 10 species accounted for over 84% of the A Review of Bird rings used. Ringing at Melville Table 2 indicates which species have not been ringed for 10 years or more. Some Koppies From 1973 of these such as European blackcap, com- mon whitethroat, icterine warbler and -2014 great reed warbler are not surprising be- cause they are very rare birds. On the oth- By James McLuskie [Jim] er hand it is surprising that barn swallow, lesser striped-swallow, bokmakierie ,Cape weaver, blue waxbill and green-winged Introduction pytilia have not been caught for a long This note is a preliminary review of the time. There are probably many reasons for ringing of some 18 000 birds at Melville this, among them the fact that some of the Koppies, , over a period of birds are comparatively difficult to net. It 40 years. The analysis has been done by also seems possible, if not likely, that there a ringer who is an engineer, not a scientist, have been some habitat changes that do so the analysis has not been conducted in not suit some of the species. Readers of this a rigorous scientific manner. It is the work note [especially ringers] are invited to con- of an amateur! sider these and other reasons. The data for the review comes from SA- Ringing Intensity FRING at the ADU, University of Cap The intense ringing that Mr L J Bunning Town. Clearly there are some errors such conducted over 20 years [mostly in the as wrong dates and incorrect species num- eighties] has never been repeated. He bers but in relation to more than 18 000 ringed more than 12 000 birds as can be lines of data these are insignificant. seen in Table 3 which indicates how many Species Diversity and Trends birds have been ringed by individuals over the period. Table 1 shows a summary of the ringing over the period. The number of different Current Activity species ringed is 135. Of these fewer than Modern ringing activity is at a more mod- half [only 52] of the species were ringed est level than that of the ’80s . A ringing more than 10 times and only 4 species ac- team from the Wits Bird Club meets on counted for well over half the birds ringed. each second Saturday of the month and These were the white-rumped swift, rings at the Visitors’ Centre . There are usu- the dark-capped bulbul, the southern ally 4 to 6 ringers as well as one or more masked-weaver and the Cape white-eye. “apprentices” and security guards. Anyone Together they accounted for some 69% of interested in birds is welcome to join the the rings used. A further 6 species [laughing team from, say, 6 am in summer. In 2013 dove, little swift, Karoo/olive , Cape some 300 birds were ringed. robin-chat, and ] represented 15% so that only

15 TABLE 1 - Melville Koppies Johannesburg, Ringing Analysis 1973-2014

Rob- Re- Re- Re- Re- SAF- Number erts English Scientific name trapped trapped trapped 3 trapped RING ringed No once twice times %

54 62 Grey heron Ardea cinera 1 80 83 White stork Ciconia ciconia 1 157 156 Ovambo sparrowhawk Accipiter ovampensis 1 158 157 Little sparrowhawk Accipiter minullus 1 185 199 Swainson's spurfowl Pternistis swainsonii 4 192 203 Helmeted guineafowl Numida melagris 7 1 14% 196 205 Kurrichane buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus 1 238 249 Three-banded plover Charadrius tricollaris 2 242 255 Crowned lapwing Vanellus coronatus 3 275 297 Spotted thick-knee Burhinus capensis 2 312 352 African olive pigeon Columba aequatrix 1 314 352 Red-eyed dove Sreptopelia semitorquata 8 316 354 Cape turtle-dove Sreptopelia capicola 6 317 355 Laughing dove Spilopelia senegalensis 327 13 2 1 5% 339 373 Grey go-away-bird Corythaixoides concolor 3 343 377 Red-chested cuckoo Cuculus solitarius 1 352 386 Chrysococcyx caprius 59 3 1 7% 361 395 Marsh owl Asio capensis 1 368 401 Spotted eagle-owl Bubo africanus 19 371 404 European nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus 1 374 408 Freckled nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma 1 378 411 Common swift Apus apus 2 383 415 White-rumped swift Apus caffer 1079 12 1% 384 416 Horus swift Apus horus 1 385 417 Little swift Apus affinis 408 2 1% 387 421 African palm swift Cypsiurus parvus 24 390 424 Speckled mousebird Colius striatus 121 9 1 1 9% 391 425 White-backed mousebird Colius colius 6 1 17% 392 426 Red-faced mousebird Urocolis indicus 178 6 3% 397 431 Malachite kingfisher Alcedo cristata 2 399 433 Woodland kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis 1 402 435 Brown-hooded kingfisher Halcyon albiventris 4 1 25% 404 438 European bee-eater Merops apiaster 19 418 451 African hoopoe Upupa africana 12 1 8% 419 452 Green wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus 8 431 464 Black-collared barbet Lybius torquatus 69 432 465 Acacia pied barbet Tricholaema leucomelas 6 1 17% 437 470 Yellow fronted tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus 1 439 473 Crested barbet Trachyphonus vaillanti 134 9 1 7% 440 474 Greater honeyguide Indicator indicator 4 442 476 Lesser honeyguide Indicator minor 52 1 2% 443 478 Brown-backed honeybird Prodotiscus regulus 18 450 486 Cardinal woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens 21 1 5% 452 488 Olive woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus 1 453 489 Red-throated wryneck Jynx ruficollis 17 5 29% 493 518 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica 68 495 520 White-throated swallow Hirundo albigularis 170 6 4% 502 526 Greater striped swallow Cecropis cucullata 47 1 2% 503 527 Leeser striped swallow Cecropis abyssinica 14 506 529 Rock martin Ptynoprogne fuligula 16 507 530 Common house martin Delichon urbicum 2

16 Continued TABLE 1 - Melville Koppies Johannesburg, Ringing Analysis 1973-2014

Rob- Re- Re- Re- Re- SAF- Number erts English Scientific name trapped trapped trapped 3 trapped RING ringed No once twice times %

509 533 Brown-throated martin Riparia paludicola 1 513 538 Black flava 3 519 543 Eurasian golden oriole Oriolus oriolus 1 521 545 Black-headed oriole Oriolus larvatus 1 544 567 Red-eyed bulbul Pycnonoyus nigricans 4 545 568 Dark-capped bulbul Pycnonoyus tricolor 2114 77 2 4% 553 577 Turdus olivaceus 585 10 1 2% 568 587 Capped wheatear Oenanthe 1 576 596 African stonechat Saxicola torquatus 1 579 600 Red-capped robin-chat Cossypha natalensis 1 581 601 Cape robin-chat Cossypha caffra 484 90 1 3 19% 594 620 Common whitethroat Sylvia communis 3 595 619 Garden Warbler Sylvia borin 84 1 1% 596 625 Icterine warbler Hippolais icterina 2 599 643 warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 69 603 628 Great reed-warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 2 1 50% 606 631 African reed-warbler Acrocephalus baeticatus 3 607 633 Marsh warbler Acrocephalus palustris 37 4 11% 622 645 Bar-throated apalis Apalis thoracica 7 1 14% 629 664 Zitting cisticola Cisticola juncidis 13 637 681 Neddicky Cisticola fulvicappila 173 18 1 1 12% 639 670 Wailing cisticola Cisticola lais 30 5 17% 642 672 Rattling cisticola Cisticola chiniana 9 1 11% 644 674 Red-faced cisticola Cisticola erythrops 1 645 675 Rufous-winged cisticola Cisticola galactotes 1 646 677 Levaillants cisticola Cisticola tinniens 13 649 683 Tawny-flanked prinia Prinia subflava 41 6 1 17% 650 685 Black-chested prinia Prinia flavicans 70 15 1 23% 654 689 Spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata 17 1 6% 658 621 Chestnut-vented tit-babbler Sylvia subcaerulea 8 1 12% 665 698 Fiscal flycatcher Sigelus silens 154 11 7% 678 706 Fairy flycatcher Stenostiria scita 31 1 3% 682 710 African paradise- flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis 9 686 713 Cape wagtail Motacilla capensis 3 693 717 Long-billed pipit Anthus similis 1 1 100% 696 720 Striped pipit Anthus lineiventris 1 703 727 Orange-throated longclaw Macronyx capensis 6 706 731 Lesser grey shrike Lanius minor 2 707 732 Common fiscal Lanius collaris 189 19 6 1 14% 708 733 Red-backed shrike Lanius collurio 5 709 736 Southern boubou Laniarius ferrugineus 17 3 17% 711 739 Crimson-breasted shrike Laniarius atrococcineus 2 712 740 Black-backed puffback Dryoscopus cubla 3 714 743 Brown-crowned tchagra Tchagra australis 2 715 744 Black-crowned tchagra Tchagra senegalus 3 722 746 Bokmakierie bokmakerie Telophorus zeylonus 22 2 1 15% 727 753 White-crested helmet-shrike Prionops plumatus 1 734 758 Common.myna Acridotheres tristis 2 737 764 Glossy starling Lamprotornis nitens 140 1 1% 745 769 Red-winged starling Onychognathus morio 1 746 759 Pied starling Lamprotornis bicolor 4

17 Continued TABLE 1 - Melville Koppies Johannesburg, Ringing Analysis 1973-2014

Rob- Re- Re- Re- Re- SAF- Number erts English Scientific name trapped trapped trapped 3 trapped RING ringed No once twice times %

751 775 Malachite sunbird Nectarinia famosa 2 763 787 White-bellied sunbird Cinnyris talatala 84 2 2% 772 792 Amethyst sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina 75 775 796 Cape white-eye Zosterops capensis 1564 26 3 2% 1172 796 Cape white-eye Zosterops capensis 200 7 4% 786 803 Cape sparrow Passer melanurus 526 6 1% 787 804 Southern grey-headed sparrow Passer diffusus 2 4142 804 Southern grey-headed sparrow Passer diffusus 3 789 806 Scaly-feathered finch squamifrons 1 797 811 cucullatus 2 799 813 Cape weaver Ploceus capensis 93 2 2% 803 814 Ploceus velatus 7468 118 2% 804 807 Thick-billed weaver Amblyospiza albifrons 19 805 821 Red-billed quelea Quelea quelea 6 808 824 Southern red bishop orix 384 5 1% 812 826 Yellow-crowned bishop Euplectes afer 1 813 831 Red-collared widowbird Euplectes ardens 2 820 856 Redheaded finch Amadina erythrocephala 7 823 857 Bronze mannikin Lonchura cucullata 9 830 834 Green-winged pytilia Pytilia melba 6 833 840 African firefinch Lagonostica rubricata 1 835 841 Jameson's firefinch Lagonostica rhodopareia 1 839 844 Blue waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis 4 840 845 Violet-eared waxbill Uraeginthus granatinus 3 843 846 Common waxbill Estrilda astrild 17 846 860 Pin-tailed whydah Vidua macroura 1 860 870 Black=throated canary Crithagra atrogularis 3 867 881 Streaky-headed seedeater Crithagra gularis 13 872 886 Cinnamon=breasted bunting Emberiza tahapisi 9 969 620,1 European blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 1 1104 577,1 Karoo thrush Turdus smithii 144 4 3% 3036 ERROR 1 TOTAL 17986 511 23 7 3%

TABLE 1 Melville Koppies Johan- TABLE 2 - Melville Koppies Ringing Species Not Ringed for nesburg, Ringing Analysis 10 Years or More 1973-2014 SAF- Roberts Number RING No English Scientific name ringed SUMMARY 54 62 Grey Heron Ardea cinera 1 80 83 White Stork Ciconia ciconia 1 No of species: 138 - 3 = 135 196 205 Kurrichane Buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus 1 No of species only 1 bird ringed: 33 238 249 Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris 2 No of species 2-10 birds ringed: 50 242 255 Crowned Lapwing Vanellus coronatus 3 No of species 11-100 birds ringed: 32 316 354 Cape Turtle-Dove Sreptopelia capicola 6 343 377 Red-Chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius 1 No of species 101-1000 birds ringed: 16 361 395 Marsh Owl Asio capensis 1 No of species >1000 birds ringed: 4 368 401 Spotted Eagle-Owl Bubo africanus 19 135 371 404 European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus 1 Continued 18 TABLE 2 - Melville Koppies Ringing Species Not Ringed for TABLE 2 10 Years or More Melville Koppies Ringing Analysis by Ringer SAF- Roberts Number RING No English Scientific name ringed Ringer Ringer Name Birds 374 408 Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma 1 No Ringed 378 411 Common Swift Apus apus 2 0 197 384 416 Horus Swift Apus horus 1 387 421 African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus 24 32 Dieter Oschadleus 1 391 425 White-Backed Mousebird Colius colius 6 39 Mr R Geyser 34 397 431 Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata 2 399 433 Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis 1 44 Mr A Tucker 24 419 452 Green Wood-Hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus 8 47 Mr P Bourdin 13 432 465 Acacia Pied Barbet Tricholaema leucomelas 6 437 470 Yellow Fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus chrysoconus 1 110 Vulture News 161 452 488 Olive Woodpecker Dendropicos griseocephalus 1 126 L J Bunning 12647 453 489 Red-throated Wryneck Jynx ruficollis 17 493 518 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 68 137 Mr EF von Maltitz 3

503 527 Leeser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica 14 156 Geoff Lockwood 1 506 529 Rock Martin Ptynoprogne fuligula 16 507 530 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum 2 320 Prof SEPiper 1

509 533 Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola 1 364 Prof C Symes 40 519 543 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 1 521 545 Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus 1 736 Rev D Williams 10 544 567 Red-Eyed Bulbul Pycnonoyus nigricans 4 745 Dr G Theron 4 568 587 Capped Wheatear Oenanthe 1 746 O J Williams 543 576 596 African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus 1 579 600 Red-capped robin-chat Cossypha natalensis 1 751 Dr D Harebottle 24 594 620 Common whitethroat Sylvia communis 3 1003 Gail Schaum 1422 596 625 Icterine warbler Hippolais icterina 2 603 628 Great reed-warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus 2 1061 Mrs L A Williams 65 629 664 Zitting cisticola Cisticola juncidis 13 1083 Murray Slotar 306 642 672 Rattling cisticola Cisticola chiniana 9 644 674 Red-faced cisticola Cisticola erythrops 1 1096 Lynn Williams 1 646 677 Levaillants cisticola Cisticola tinniens 13 1103 Arie Williams 19 682 710 African paradise- flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis 9 686 713 Cape wagtail Motacilla capensis 3 1247 K Kreft 175 693 717 Long-billed pipit Anthus similis 1 1278 Karen Dixon 1206 696 720 Striped pipit Anthus lineiventris 1 708 733 Red-backed shrike Lanius collurio 5 1383 Dr A Brooks 45 712 740 Black-backed puffback Dryoscopus cubla 3 1406 B Leech 25 715 744 Black-crowned tchagra Tchagra senegalus 3 722 746 Bokmakierie bokmakerie Telophorus zeylonus 22 1407 L Leech 35

745 769 Red-winged starling Onychognathus morio 1 1422 Jim McLuskie 352 746 759 Pied starling Lamprotornis bicolor 4 751 775 Malachite sunbird Nectarinia famosa 2 1423 Dael Stojakovic 836 789 806 Scaly-feathered finch Sporopipes squamifrons 1 1432 Mrs C J Purdon 1 797 811 Village weaver Ploceus cucullatus 2 799 813 Cape weaver Ploceus capensis 93 1580 Arjen van Zwieten 152 830 834 Green-winged pytilia Pytilia melba 93 1597 Craig Nattrass 196 835 841 Jameson's firefinch Lagonostica rhodopareia 1 1617 Brett Gardner 22 839 844 Blue waxbill Uraeginthus angolensis 4 840 845 Violet-eared waxbill Uraeginthus granatinus 3 14211 Marcelle van Wyk 3 846 860 Pin-tailed whydah Vidua macroura 1 18564 969 620,1 European blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 1

19 Conclusion to travel far. It also offers an opportunity Melville Koppies is an important bird ring- for non-ringing birders to see what goes on ing area. It provides a window into the in an activity that provides input data for bird population in an oasis within greater studies and bird books. Johannesburg. It also provides data for comparisons and trend analysis over a It would be interesting if someone better long [in human terms] period during which qualified than this writer were to - ana the surrounding city changed considerably. lyse the data in more depth to see what It is also a very useful site for regular ring- it might yield in the way of further useful ers and trainees to meet without having information.

It is estimated around 30,000 seabirds per Namibia’s New Fish- year die due to long-line and trawl fishing in Namibia, one of the highest levels in the ing Regulations world and a tenth of the 300,000 seabirds killed this way globally each year. Approxi- Could Save 30,000 mately 100,000 of these birds are alba- tross, the most threatened family of birds Seabirds a Year with 15 of 22 species at risk of extinction.

New fishery regulations introduced in Na- mibia could practically eliminate seabird Bird-scaring lines being used on a mortality from one of the most destructive Namibian fishing vessel - photo by ÂJ fisheries in the world. The regulations will Paterson require all trawl and longline vessels to use bird scaring lines, and for longline vessels to use improved line weighting. The country’s Ministry of Fisheries and Ma- BEWARE! rine Resources has been working with the Please pay your membership fees by Electronic Albatross Task Force (ATF), who estimate Transfer, or at the local branch of your bank, as that the adoption of these two simple and posted cheques are being intercepted in the post cost-effective mitigation measures could and used for Cheque Fraud. If this happens to you reduce bird deaths by more than 95 per- your membership payment is lost! cent.

20 driving about looking for our campsite, Trip to Namibia, we spotted a STRT which quickly flew off. Once we had off-loaded, I baited the traps September 2014, to and walked back to where the bird had been seen and placed the traps. We also find Short-toed Rock- erected some mist nets. I went back to the campsite for a bite to eat then a check of Thrushes the traps revealed a STRT. I was ecstatic. I quickly ringed it and Steve did the blood By Gail Schaum extraction. My husband, Heimo, and I left Johan- nesburg on 14th September for a trip to Namibia. I went to find Short-toed Rock- Thrushes (STRT) and Heimo to celebrate his 80th birthday. We were met at the airport by my brother, Steve Braine who now runs Ba- tis Birding Safaris from Swakopmund. We drove through Windhoek to Okahandja where we stopped for a quick cup of tea and then the long drive to Swakopmund. Achab Camp Site Once we passed through Usakos, Steve started pointing out possible Rock-Thrush sites and we even saw a few perched on Louise walked around looking for more telephone poles along the road. STRTs while Steve and I placed more traps about and ringed whatever flew into the Steve was very busy with tours the first nets or got trapped. How lucky can one few days of our visit, but once the birth- get? day celebrations were over Steve, his wife Louise and I left for the mountains south The second bird I took out of the trap of Usakos. The plan was to spot the tar- was a Herero Chat and then I had a La- get bird, play its call and then place some yard’s Tit-Babbler in the net. There was flap traps, baited with ghastly giant meal- worms, which the birds find irresistible, on the ground near where they were spotted, then drive off and return to find the bird in the trap. That was the plan. The first attempt was unsuccessful, the bird had vanished. So we picked up the traps and drove on and on and on. The area is so vast and arid and the territories of the birds seem huge. We entered the farm, Achab, where we were to camp and while Herero Chat 21 not another STRT to be seen, so the nets the bird, another to catch it! Steve says he were furled and the traps picked up and will try again nearer the breeding season we went back to the main road to try to when he hopes the birds will be more re- find more. We spotted another and tried sponsive to calls. again to lure it in, with no luck. We did the Thank you WBC committee for sponsoring same with the next one spotted and this this trip for me. While we wait for more time it worked. We had our second bird samples from Namibia, I will start going to and blood sample. Hoogland again for local samples. Brett Strangely, all the birds we did spot were Gardner had offered to teach me how to males. We never saw a female on the en- extract blood. We will however need a tire trip. It was not breeding season yet as permit to do so. If WBC wishes to pub- no rain had fallen. lish the results of this research all the pa- perwork has to be in order. I had a valid The plan for the next day was to be the permit to ring birds in Namibia. same, but during the night the wind came up and never stopped. We could not mist net in these conditions so took down the nets and hit the road again but this time there was not a bird to be seen. The wind was howling and dust blowing in all directions. We headed for Spitskop, sure we would find at least one more, but no luck. We saw a Double-banded Courser, Ludwig’s Bustard and a lovely flock of Os- triches. Unfortunately we only managed to get Spitskop the two samples. Steve was in contact with Tim Osborne, who lives near Etosha P.S. from Barbi Forsyth. Since embark- and has STRTs in his garden. Tim has col- ing on this project, over a decade ago, lected samples for WBC before and has regulations have changed and the pa- kindly offered to do the same again. Mark perwork has quadrupled. This is far be- Boorman, another ringer from Swakop- yond my capabilities. I am very grate- mund, will also be on the lookout for them. ful to all those who have offered expert Holger Kolb, Ornithologist for the Ministry knowledge and help and look forward of the Environment, will issue us with an to resolving this in 2015. What a marvel- export permit once we know how many lous mystery! samples we have. We do not need an im- port permit as the Short-toed Rock-Thrush is not a CITES listed species. I am so grateful to Steve and Louise for all their help in tracking down these birds and for the use of all their ringing equipment. We really did our best. It’s one thing finding 22 the conditions were difficult for them too. “R-OC(K)TOBER I was ecstatic to find Delagorgue’s Pigeon (now the Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon), 2014” Brown-throated and Yellow Weavers as well as Spotted Ground-Thrush. I couldn’t By Barbi Forsyth believe I had never seen them all before. When I am birding, I am usually ‘working’, Ginny Mes spoilt us so much that weekend so to see and identify a new bird is always that I decided that I had to go to Kurisa special for me. I seldom treat myself to Moya in October. I had heard so much weekends away with the Club, but Sep- about the venue and it was irresistible. I tember and October 2014 were to be very had never been there either. Unfortunate- different. ly Alan couldn’t come with me because of Jex Mvoti on the north Natal coast was his training schedule for extreme sports, so I my first treat. Alan and I had birded at decided to venture off on my own. Mkuzi many years ago, but Alan decided Lisa de Boer and David Letsoalo were we should join the club over the weekend wonderful hosts. David accompanied us 26 – 28 September. The venue was beau- each day to find some of the specials which tiful, but the weather was ‘fowl’. The wind occur in the area. He is a wonderful per- blew and birding was difficult. I had never son – humble, kind, very patient and has seen a Black Saw-wing perched. I think a great sense of humour. He was also an

23 excellent birder and navigator as he guid- the Debengeni Falls to find the Mountain ed me through dense mist every morning Wagtail. There were at least 2 pairs feed- – “Careful, drive in the middle of the road ing on the edge of the water and quite – there is a big donga on the left” (his eu- oblivious to the all the people around phemism for there is NO road), “Put foot, them. this is VERY steep”. Our speed was about We returned home and after supper Da- 30km/hr because I couldn’t see anything! vid took us owling. The wind had got up and David was doubtful that we would see the Wood Owl. I had heard Wood Owl twice before, but had never seen one. David started calling. We stood in pitch darkness. David turned a torch onto the owl. It was beautiful. I hadn’t heard a sound, but David knew exactly where the bird was.

Lunch Kurisa Moya style - photo by Jan van Heerden

My first treat was a pair of Cape - Par rots, sitting in the open on a dead branch. There was heavy mist that morning, so we drove down to Tzaneen to the dam wall. There were many swallows and swifts and we picked up some water birds as well. As we walked back to the vehicles an adult African Cuckoo Hawk flew over our heads. In some bamboo alongside the parking lot was a group of mannikins. I had seen the Bat Hawk - photo by Jan van Bronze ones before, but never the Magpie Heerden Mannikins. My list was growing and I was The following morning we returned to the so excited. forest. We heard lots of birds, but they After a leisurely street brunch David rec- were difficult to find. We headed up a ommended that we go and find a Bat hiking trail and there I got to see the rear Hawk. “Stop here” and there is was, clearly end of a White-starred Robin foraging in visible on a branch. David showed us the the undergrowth. On our way home we nest which had been artificially constructed came across a juvenile African Cuckoo and there was the female on the nest. Hawk. David patiently explained the dif- ferences between the adult and the juve- On our way back and after a hair-raising nile. U-turn on the highway we got a beautiful sighting of Broad-billed Roller. We went to When David left us later that morning, we

24 asked what time would be good to find my twelfth new bird in a calendar month the Green Twinspots at the hide. I have – something I hadn’t achieved since 2004! wanted to see a Twinspot since forever. I came home with a very happy heart. “About 4 o’clock” came the confident re- That I could explain, but I couldn’t decide ply. Some of the group had departed whether the aching arms were from fight- by then, but I had chosen to extend my ing a steering wheel all weekend, or lifting weekend until the Monday. I am so de- my binoculars and craning my neck to try lighted I did. We tiptoed into the hide and and find the invisible birds in the forest. threw some seed on the ground and then sat very quietly. It seemed like only sec- For those who haven’t had the oppor- onds and a small flock of Green Twinspots tunity to visit either venue, they are well descended and started gobbling. I felt re- worth it. Kurisa Moya particularly has a ally privileged and they are truly beautiful magic about it and if it is peace and quiet little birds. and lots of birds you want I would recom- mend a visit. But it wasn’t over. The following morn- ing Lisa called us to say that Red-backed Mannikins were at the feeder outside her house. I couldn’t resist. Lisa slapped some peanut butter onto her special feeding station and within minutes I was treated to

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Dave Bentley Farrarmere Reg Maistry Roosevelt Park

Gillian Bentley Farrarmere Anthony Phillips Rynfield

Taryn Bentley Farrarmere Undine Phillips Rynfield

Robbie Clarke Bryanston Ingrid Sellschop Discovery

John Crawford Parkwood Alex Swanepoel Kempton Park

Linda Davis Kibler Park Rowan Walker North

Pamela Ellenberger Parktown North Melissa Whitecross Senderwood

Wiggie Ellenberger Parktown North Maja Zeffertt Athol

Christine Louw East

25 HOOGLAND 13 SEPTEMBER 2014 Text and Photos by Jan van Heerden On Saturday 13 September the WBC vis- ited the Hoogland Health Hydro near Er- asmia in the Schurveberg mountains. Front entrance of the Hydro Short history of Hoogland The Hydro is now run by the children of the original owners. In 1967 the Kruger family bought the 398 hectare farm and renamed it Hoogland. The following members attended: There was a dilapidated guest house on 1 Jeanne Thomas the property. The buildings were demol- ished, except for one which was refurbished 2 Lia Steen as their home. 3 Ginny Mes In 1972 they decided to build a large struc- 4 Jutta Gotz ture which could serve as their home and a guest house. A friend suggested they turn 5 Sandy Goodall Hoogland into a Hydro which is what they 6 Lorraine Visscher did. 7 Lance Robinson With the help of Dr. Mike Harris Hoogland was converted to a Hydro where body 8 Pieter Verster with wife Janelle and soul could be rejuvenated. It was and Italian guest Nadia called Hoogland Hydro One then. Over 9 Jan van Heerden the years the original structure was modi- fied and enlarged to accommodate the Lance was our leader for the day. We first increase in demand and the name was walked around the main building before changed to Hoogland Health Hydro. we headed out on a trail that leads up the mountain. The whole property was fenced off and various game like blesbuck, impala and It is not really a mountain, but rather a hartebeest were introduced. Approxi- high hill. The trail was quite steep and mately 45 km of trails were laid out. rough in places. However, this did not stop us from spotting and our list quickly grew Hoogland boasts well over 80 species of to over 40. birds. In 2012 Hoogland invited Ernst Retief from BirdLife SA to arrange birding parties Near the top of the hill we saw this shed- to the property. like building in the middle of nowhere. Cu- riously we peeked through a small opening 26 to the picnic spot in the hills where we did some more spotting, had some sustenance and tallied the total sightings. The total for the day was 72 which is excellent for this time of the year.

Some of the gang and saw what looked like the nose of an aircraft! Further on we saw a torn wind- sock and an overgrown landing strip. The aircraft was probably a micro-light. As we walked to the top of the hill, we heard two families of Red-winged Franco- Thick-billed Weaver lin. The more energetic amongst us, Lance, Pieter and Janelle decided to follow the From referencing two sources, the calls while the rest of us trundled on the Thick-billed Weaver was historically trail towards the main building. found mainly in the eastern parts of the country but its current distribu- We could see Pieter and Janelle further up tion has shown a marked westward the mountain in the veld, but Lance was nowhere in sight. After a long while we got spread. worried about Lance. In our mind’s eye we could see him falling down a cliff, lying there injured and helpless. Lia phoned him. He was OK and looking at the Short-toed Rock-Thrush. Eventually the group joined up again and we walked back to the Hy- dro. After some freshening up, we went by car

Lazy Cisticola

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR WEBSITE ADDRESS IS: www.witsbirdclub.org.za

AND THE EMAIL ADDRESS IS: Lance, Janelle & Pieter [email protected] 27 The Great Shoebill Hunt – , with Africa Geographic

Text and Photos by Lesley Cornish Great Blue Turaco Uganda is a really marvellous birding des- tination, because it has many of the west Turacos. The Eastern Plantain-eaters African forest birds that are not seen in were around as well, with their manic calls, the rest of East Africa, except for perhaps and Slender-billed Weavers and African places like Kakamega Forest, in . Grey Parrots were seen. There was a Additionally, there are the Albertine Rift Saddle-billed Stork carrying nesting ma- endemics, and one must either go to terial, which we realised was a weaver's or Uganda to see them, and we nest, but could not see if it was occupied. saw 11 of them. Our trip was in the drier We could not understand why there was season (June-July), which made it easier a Water Thick-knee in the corner of the to travel, but it also meant that we were car park at the lake-side, until we saw its without the Palearctic migrants. In total, I “nest”, a bare scrape on the ground with saw 434 birds, and missed 11 (so the group’s two eggs. We spent the early morning total was about 445), with another 23 spe- there, and returned in the afternoon. New cies being heard only. additions to the list included Grey-capped Warbler and Northern Flycatcher. Since We arrived in the evening, and were met it was now cooler, we managed to find by Johnnie Kamugisha, our guide, and tak- more water birds, and had good sight- en to our guest house in Entebbe. Early ings of African Jacana and Swamp Fly- the next day, even before we managed to catcher. get into the car, we had a far view of an African Hobby, and a really close view of The next day was Mambamba Swamp. the Double-toothed Barbet in the gar- En route, we passed the new toll highway den. We were taken just down the road which will connect Entebbe Airport and to Entebbe Botanical gardens. This was a Kampala, and had our first African Pipit great kick-off because there are some for- and Marabou Storks. We were taken est birds there, and also water birds, since into the swamps in motorised canoes, but it abuts Lake Victoria. First was a very alas, although the local boat guides saw confiding Lizard Buzzard, which gave us the Shoebill flying far off, we could not get very close-up views. This was followed there, because there was no water chan- in quick succession by Pygmy Kingfisher, nel! So we had to make do with hear- Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, ing Papyrus Gonelek, and seeing Lesser Winding Cisticola and some Great Blue Jacana and Long-toed Plover, as well 28 as White-headed Saw-wings. Back In Budongo Forest, which actually stretch- near the quay, we saw a flock of Weyn's es quite far, so one leaves it behind when Weavers fly over. travelling, and then re-enters it, the bird- ing was amazing! There were specials On our drive to Masindi, we saw our first which required much neck-breaking ef- (Western) Banded Snake Eagle and fort, but they were worth it. First up was Piapiacs, the latter which are always the Chestnut-capped Flycatcher, and in flocks. We came across Greater and then high in the canopy, a Chocolate- Lesser Blue-eared Starlings together, backed Kingfisher. Lower down was and could see the size difference. We saw a Dwarf Kingfisher, and an amazingly Copper Sunbird, Broad-tailed Warbler, obliging Blue-breasted Kingfisher which Yellow-mantled Widowbird, and Hart- allowed us to get really close. There were laub's . Some of the also Narrow-tailed Starlings, Little Grey Red-collared Widowbirds did not have Greenbul, Spotted Greenbul and Red- red collars. Just before Masindi, there was headed Malimbe. A real special was the a whole tree-full of Straw-coloured Bats. pair of Lemon-bellied Crombecs (which are usually high in the canopy) building their nest about 2.5 m above the ground. Other birds included Sooty Flycatcher, Grey-capped Negrofinch, Purple- headed Starling, Speckled Tinkerbird and Rufous-crowned Eremomela. Of course, there were many birds which were heard only, including Scaly-breasted Il- adopsis and Forest Robin. The mammals included Blue Monkey and some squirrels.

Ross’s Turaco After lunch, we drove to Butiaba Escarp- ment, which is fairly open savanna wood- Next was the Royal Mile (in Budongo For- land, and saw a totally different range est), so named because the local royal fam- of birds. We had good views of Vieillot's ily use it as part of their rituals. It was also Black Weaver, Yellow-backed Weaver, our first intensive forest birding day, and White-chinned Prinia, Silverbird, Chest- we were up early. Driving there, we saw nut-crowned Sparrow-weaver, Red- Ross's Turaco, Brown-backed Scrub- cheeked Cordon-bleu, Red-winged Robin, Collared Sunbird, Cabanis Bunt- Bishop and Black-crowned Waxbill. ing and White-thighed Hornbill. On the Additionally, there were Sooty Ant-eat- mammal side, we saw Red-tailed Mon- ing Chats, Foxy Cisticola, Black-billed key and heard Chimpanzees. There was Barbet and Black-faced Waxbills. The a nasty experience in that a motorcycle mammal was Olive Baboon. drove right through us instead of around us and brushed against two birders, and An early start saw us at Masindi Airstrip, would have flattened the third, if Johnnie which was grass, and we saw Yellow- had not grabbed her! breasted Apalis, Black-headed Go- nelek, Olive-bellied Sunbird, Red-faced 29 Cisticola, Red-headed Quelea and Par- Green-winged Pytilla near the road. asitic Weaver. After a bit of work, we fi- The following day, we drooled over the nally got on to the Brown Twin-spots and Shoebill again first thing, and headed off Grey-headed Negro-finches, then had into Murchison Falls Park. The Park was to hit the road. lush and there were plenty of Uganda Kob and Oribi, with Lelwel's Hartebeest, Patas Monkey and Rothchild's Giraffe. There were also many small herds of El- ephant and Buffalo. The interesting birds were White-crested Turaco, Gambega Flycatcher, Speckle-fronted Weavers, Black-billed Barbet, Beautiful Sunbird, Grey-backed Shrike, Red-necked Fal- con, Buff-bellied Warbler, Denham's Bustard, Black-headed Lapwing and Spotted Morning-Thrush Red-headed Quelea. We drove through The next stop was Murchison Falls Park, several habitats, turning for home after with a long drive through near-forest, driving along Lake Albert. There was one which is still officially savanna woodland, small area with White-browed Sparrow- and saw Crested Guineafowl, Tropi- weavers, so we had to check them out. cal Boubou and a pair of Abyssinian We saw a large cobra crossing the road. Ground Hornbills really close. There was We had to get going early the next morn- also Striped Ground Squirrel. We drove ing to catch the ferry, and saw flocks of through more open savanna woodland, Little Egrets flying up the Nile. As usual, and stopped at the top of the Falls, where although we had far to drive to Kibale (this the entire Blue Nile goes through a 7m was our longest driving day), we had bird- gap, with Rock Pratincoles just above this. ing stops. At Nkuse River, we had lunch and Soon after we left the Falls, we saw a huge also saw a pair of Cassin's Flycatchers and troop of Banded Mongoose. On the way their wonderfully neat nest clearly visible to our lodge, we saw Coucal, on a stick in the middle of the river, White- Vinaceous Dove, Black-billed Wood- fronted Bee-eaters and African Pied dove and Yellow-billed Shrikes, which Wagtail. We stopped for Grey-throated had not been seen there for a few years. Barbet. We had another stop at Kamira- We just made the time of the ferry, which bara Wetland, where we called up Papy- had only been repaired that day. Nearer rus Gonelek, heard White-winged War- Paraa Safari Lodge (which looks over the bler and also had a pair of African Marsh Nile), were Spotted Morning-Thrush and Harriers fly past. Our second long stop Red-throated Bee-eaters. I was just was a forest which we were not allowed preparing to dunk myself in the swimming to enter, so we birded from the roadside. pool to cool down, when Johnnie told us There were Cinnamon-breasted Bee- to come “NOW”, and we dashed off to eater, Black-necked Weaver, Yellow- the swamp to see a Shoebill at the view- throated Tinkerbird, White-chinned point overlooking the marsh, and also saw 30 Prinia and Brown-capped Weaver. The eye and the Grey Apalis. We also heard Yellowbill gave amazing displays and en- the Chimpanzees calling and drumming cores, even allowing some photographs to on the buttress tree roots, and saw a male be taken. The mammals there were Red feeding high up in a tree. Driving back to Colobus and Grey-faced Mangabey. our lodge, we saw the Black Bee-eaters, high in a tree, and finally,Green Crombec. In Kibale, the first birds of the day were We returned to the same forest in the af- African Blue Flycatcher and Black- ternoon for our Chimpanzee walk, seeing crowned Waxbills in the gardens. We a Bushbuck cross the road. There were went on the long walk in Bigodi Wetland two groups of female Chimpanzees with Sancturary, and as we set out, we saw young, and they gave us very good sight- Brown-throated Wattle-eyes and Mari- ings, although they were quite high. On qua Sunbird (aka Marico Sunbird). On the way “home”, we stopped for Sooty the walk we saw the Green Hylia and Flycatcher, Narrow-tailed Starling, Yel- Least Honeyguide. We also had good low-mantled Weaver, Black-throated sightings of Great Blue Turaco, Slender- Apalis and Yellow-spotted Barbet. billed Greenbul, Bronze Sunbird and Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher. Getting ready to leave the next morning, We only heard Green Crombec and we saw Brimstone Canary. En route to White-spotted Flufftail. The mammals were Black-and-white Colobus and Le Hoest's Monkey. Walking around the gardens at Chimpan- zee Lodge was marvellous, and we even found our own “Magic Tree”, an African Tulip Tree. It was almost a tree-of-lifers, giving us: Bocage's Bush-shrike, Red- headed Bluebill, Luedher's Bush-shrike, and an Afep Pigeon flying overhead. We Collared Pratincole watched the two bush-shrikes chasing the Queen Elizabeth National Park, we each other around, and found nesting Af- saw more birds, including a White-naped rican Blue Flycatchers. Raven, which was in the wrong habitat, The next morning we found Verreuax's but is apparently seen fairly often. The Eagle Owl, and then we went into the Park was much drier than Murchison, and forest early (while it was still dark) to try to the special sightings included Temmincks' find the Green-breasted Pitta. Although Coursers, White-tailed Larks, Senegal we heard it calling, and the guides went off Lapwing and most special of all was the to try and locate it, we never managed to Collared Pratincole with a chick! We also see it. However, we did get nice sightings saw our first Tawny Eagle, being uncer- of Yellow-throated Greenbul, glimpses emoniously dive-bombed by a Bateleur. of Scaly-breasted Iladopsis, a Brown Il- On our way to the boat cruise on Kazinga adopsis making its way up the vines on Channel (which is between Lakes George a tree, but missed the Chestnut Wattle- 31 and Edward), we saw White-browed buffalo, and all three lions were trying to Coucal. The boat cruise was wonder- rest, with hugely extended bellies. We were ful, with excellent guides, and we had re- sure one particular lion was going to slide ally close views of Hippos, Buffaloes, one off, but he did not, because he was firmly sleeping Lion and Elephants. The bird wedged by his overfull belly. life was good too, and we added Afri- At the next lodge, Gorilla Resort, Buhoma, can Spoonbill, Banded Martin, Ruddy we relaxed on the balcony (Uganda War- Turnstone, Grey-headed Gull and Gull- agi gin & tonic to hand (bliss)), looking at billed Tern. The boat chugged up one the birds coming to the flowers, with very side of Kazinga Channel (where the light good sightings (and much photographing) was good), stopping for the good sightings, of Northern Double-collared Sunbird, then returned to the quay on the other African Blue Flycatcher, Baglafecht side a bit faster. Off the boat, we saw Weaver, Black-necked Weaver, White- Red-necked Spurfowl. throated Prinia and Streaky Seed-eat- While we were getting ready to leave the er. following morning, we enjoyed the stun- We saw our first Chubb's Cisticola while having breakfast the next day, and soon after were in Bwindi Impenetrable For- est. As well as the usual suspects, we saw Scaly-breasted Iladopsis. After some effort, because it was skulking, Johnnie managed to get us all to see the Grey- winged Robin-chat. More easy to see were the Olive Sunbird, African Wood Tree-climbing Lions Queen Owl, Grey-throated Flycatcher-tit and Elizabeth National Park Green-headed Sunbird. We also had a very good sighting of a Red-chested ning view from our balcony, which was Cuckoo, and take photographs! Some over the Park, and a swamp, and we of the birds were more difficult, giving us birded in the gardens, finding a Sulphur only fleeting glimpses: Shelley's Grenbul, Bush-shrike. We had a long drive back Red-tailed Greenbul and “bird on a po- through Queen Elizabeth Park, seeing go-stick” Black-faced Rufous Warbler. the mammals again, and added Snowy- The latter drove us to distraction, because crowned Robin-chat, Fawn-breasted we found their nest, and could hear them Waxbills, Black-headed Batis, White- clearly, see where they had been from the headed Barbet, Lappet-faced Vultures, movement of the leaves, but finding them Croaking Cisticola and Stout Cisticola to was really difficult! We managed to see our bird list The treat of the day was the two of the long-tailed cuckoos: Barred three Lions resting in a large fig tree, which and Dusky, while Olive was only heard. is a common habit of these lions. It must The first cuckoo was just sitting quietly be- be said that the trees are fairly easy to neath the canopy, but Johnnie spotted it. climb, with nice, wide branches for loafing. We also had good sightings of Little Green Nearby was the fresh, clean skeleton of a Sunbird, Black-throated Apalis, and 32 three Petit's Cuckoo-shrikes zooming fronted Duiker, then saw Black-billed through. It was surmised that there were Turaco. We were still seeing new birds: parents and their youngster. We were Honeyguide Greenbul, Elliot's Wood- very happy with our sightings of Hairy- pecker, Grey-headed Sunbird, Wahl- breasted Barbet, Mountain Iladopsis berg's Honeybird and Green-throated and White-headed Woodhoopoe. Our Sunbird. mammals were Le Hoest's Monkey, Al- The next day we left Buhoma to drive to exander's Squirrel and Boehm's Squir- Ruhija, another part of Bwindi Impenetra- rel. Back at Gorilla Resort, we watched ble Forest. There were some laughs at the a Snowy Crowned Robin-chat smashing name “Good Shed Hotel” on the way out. a huge beetle lava against the steps to At “the Neck” a narrow strip of the for- break it up. Soon after, we saw a Great est, we had wonderful views of Banded Sparrow-hawk. Prinia, Green Sunbird, and both sexes Next morning, our “breakfast bird” was of African Shrike-flycatcher. The latter were even swinging their tails from side- to-side, which is diagnostic. Further on, we saw a Great Sparrowhawk on her nest, and Mountain Masked Apalis (Albertine Rift endemic). On a more open area, we saw Yellow-crowned Canary, Auger Buzzard, African Pipit and Thick-billed Streaky Seed-eater. After reaching Gorilla Mist Camp, Ruhija, Blue-breasted Kingfisher we dumped our stuff , seeing a White- naped Raven fly by, and were soon the Variable Sunbird. The forest walk out birding. In about a 600m walk, we was quieter than the day before, but we clocked up an amazing variety of birds. had good views of Pink-footed Puffback First up was a fleeting view of Regal Sun- and Cameroon Sombre Greenbul. We bird (Albertine Rift Endemic), followed in scored on the sunbirds though: Northern very quick succession by Leuhder's Bush- Double-collared, Green-headed, Blue- shrike, Ruwenzori or Collared Apalis headed (Albertine Rift endemic), and (Albertine Rift Endemic) (Johnnie found it Blue-throated Brown Sunbirds. We preening in a bush), a pair of White-tailed had nice views of Montane Oriole. Turn- Blue-flycatchers (which gave us stunning ing off the track towards the stream, our displays, and later persistently mobbed a luck changed, and we saw Red-throat- Montane Oriole), (Al- ed Alethe (Albertine Rift endemic), Ru- bertine Rift endemic) and Grauer's War- wenzori Batis (Albertine Rift endemic), bler (Albertine Rift Endemic). More good Red-tailed Ant-thrush and Equatorial sightings included Stripe-breasted Tit Akalat, all within a small dark area of (Albertine Rift Endemic) and Olive Long- the forest. On the stream was a pair of tailed Cuckoo (completing our long-tailed Mountain Wagtails. On our way back cuckoo trio). We also saw some African to the main track, we surprised a Black- 33 Olive Pigeons, and Brown-throated aged to sneak some facial shots of the ba- Wattle-eye, and finally got glimpses of bies! Eventually they rested on the bottom Red-faced Woodland-warblers (Alber- of the valley, and we could watch them tine Rift endemic). (and photograph then) in relative com- fort. One slightly older youngster climbed The day of the Gorilla Trek dawned. Since a tree and did acrobatics for us – what an the road was on top of the ridge, this amazing sight! All too soon, our allotted meant that unless the Gorillas were on the hour was up, and we had to begin The road (really unlikely), they would be be- Ascent. This took us ages, and en route low us. If they were below, then we would someone brushed a wasps' nest, so we got have to scramble down to see them, and stung (all part of The Adventure), but any- then come back up again.... After our brief- one who was battling was hauled up. It ing, we set off, and plunged down a really was a very energetic and worthwhile ex- steep slope. We all had porters for our perience. I was amazed at how calm the rucksacks, and they also helped us down gorillas were, and it takes about two years and hauled us up afterwards. Our group to habituate them to this status. was the Bitukura Group, which comprised 13 animals including 3 babies. Unluckily for us, they were still feeding, so we had a longer walk chasing after them. Our initial contact was with two males, one silver-back and one black-back (i.e. not a full adult), who had been turfed out of the group, probably for a misdemeanour such as mating with one or more of the females. Only the dominant Silver-back is allowed Ag shame: Mum and baby to mate. These males were less calm and Mountain Gorilla charged Steven (the major guide) at least twice. We did not see this, but only heard Undaunted by our morning's exercise, we the Gorilla threats, and I wondered what went for another afternoon bird walk. En I had let myself into. Eventually, we caught route, we saw male and female Jackson's up with them and retrieved our cameras Three-horned Chameleons. He has the from the rucksacks carried by the porters. horns on his forehead, whereas she does Initially it was very dark, and the Goril- not. Next, we saw at least 12 pairs of Pied las kept moving, which made the whole Crows flying and swooping together, in an process really interesting, because there amazing display of flight control. It was was thick vegetation. Since we were still Market Day, and the little wooded shops on a slope, some of the porters came to were all open, and crowded with people help us. I was amazed at how calm the from the villages around. It was very col- gorillas were, even when Steven hacked ourful because of the women's bright cloth- occluding vegetation out of the way with ing. Although the forest was much quieter his panga. We did notice how the moth- than the previous day we still found more ers with the youngest two babies carefully birds: Red-rumped Swallow, Grey Cuck- shielded them from us, but we still man- oo-Shrike, Olive Thrush, and Mountain 34 Yellow Warbler, which led us a dance our destination, Rwakobo Rock, we saw around the lobelias before we all saw him. a Dwarf Mongoose. We heard Freckled Nightjars, and enjoyed the wonderful On our way out from Ruhija the next day, view from the granite rocks. There were we saw a researcher checking the nest box- even swing chairs to make view-watching es which had been put out for the Stripe- more comfortable, and it was good place breasted Tits. There were three eggs laid, to have a sundowner! and after checking, the researcher care- fully replaced the small board to protect the nest from African Harrier-hawks. We stopped a few times to bird in the forest, and heard Cinnamon-bracken Warbler, which sounds like a machine-gun, but did not find the bird. Finally, we saw Hand- some Francolin (Albertine Rift Endemic), then Western Green Tinkerbird, Stuhl- man's Starling, Sharpe's Starling, Chest- nut-throated Apalis and White-starred Robin. Two Ross's Turacos gave us won- derful views, and fantastic photo opportu- nities! There was a Mountain Black Bou- bou, and the alarm call of one of the three duikers. We had quite a long drive to Lake Mbu- ro, and the road was in various states of repair: from horrible, to newly done, and being done. The light relief of this journey Green Coucal, aka Yellow- included watching a Marabou Stork be- bill ing mobbed by Pied Crows. With some sadness we got up for the last Eventually, we reached the turn off to the day of our trip. Both the view and the bird Mburo Park, and although we were not life at breakfast were marvellous, and we in the park, apart from the Ankole cattle, saw three Verreaux's Eagle Owls. We we might just as well have been! We had drove fairly leisurely down to the lake, a very close sighting of Bare-faced Go- birding en route. The major “ticks” were away Birds, Buff-bellied Warbler and Red-faced Lovebirds, Little Bee-eater, Green-winged Pytilia. All of Uganda's Red-breasted Swallow and Long-tailed parks are unfenced, and so we saw Zebra, Cisticola. Our mammals were Impala, Impala and Defassa Waterbuck, as well Topi, Oribi, Bush Duiker, Defassa Wa- as the cattle (and lots of birds). It was sur- terbuck, Buffalo, Warthogs, and nearer real driving behind many cattle with their the lake, Bushbucks standing on mounds. huge horns, and when they formed a sin- The Park does not really have any major gle line, it looked like a giant acacia branch predators (lions are questionable), and so without leaves, just thorns. As we reached the animals have massive horns because 35 they live longer. We saw many White- backed Vultures soaring, with one Ruep- Magui Rayner pell's Vulture, and smelt the carcass which By Howard & Carmen had attracted them. Magui was introduced to bird watching The highlight of the day was the boat-trip. during a trip to the Kruger National Park Initially, we were taken to the White- in September, 1983. She already had a backed Night-heron's nest, where we all vast knowledge of plants and had joined had excellent sightings. Next was the first the Johannesburg Hiking Club in 1982. She African Finfoot attempt. This was much married Howard Rayner in September trickier, because the bird did not want to 1985 and in July 1986 their daughter Car- come out from under the over-hanging men was born. Magui become the first branches, typical of finfoots. Giving up part-time Administrator for the Hiking on that one, we went to the next known Club in 1996 until she retired in February location, which was much more fruitful; 2004. She was elected an Honorary Mem- not only did the male show himself, but ber of the JHC in 2004. his mate came too! This was after John- Magui loved bird-watching and had an nie called them out (ignore the fact that amazing ability to correctly estimate the some sources say the call is unknown!). size of a bird. Hiking and bird-watching We had a long time watching them, tak- led Howard and Magui to travel exten- ing photographs, and watching how the sively in South Africa as well as all over neck moves forwards-and-backwards as the world. Some of her personal highlights they swim. On the way back to the quay, were Australia, Borneo, Ecuador, , we enjoyed a pair of African Fish Eagles Galapagos, Madagascar, New Caledo- who were calling, and on the way back nia, Seychelles and Tasmania. Despite not through the Park, we had Brubru and being a twitcher, she had a life-list of 852 Black Cuckoo-shrike. birds in the Southern African region. Magui On our long trip back to Entebbe, we had enjoyed the Wilderness trails in the Kruger an unexpected (for us, probably not for Park and did all seven of them, some on Johnnie) stop at a swamp. Here we saw more than one occasion. She had always a Pygmy Goose (there were probably wanted to see a Shoebill but unfortunate- more), Grey-crowned Cranes with two ly ill-health prevented this. However, she chicks, Hottentot Teal, Lesser Jacana and did see a Kagu in New Caledonia in May two Spot-necked Otters. this year. Uganda is a wonderful destination, and Magui also served on the Horticultural So- the accommodation is great. There are ciety, Norscot Slopes Security and Norscot some different mammals from South Af- Slopes Nature Reserve committees for sev- rica, and even Kenya, and lots of interest- eral years. Her compassion, determination, ing primates in the . The Ugandans generosity, loyalty and strength touched are really friendly. I discovered Eagle Beer many lives. and Uganda Waragi Gin – marvellous in- Magui Rayner passed away on Friday 14th ventions. November, 2014 at Hospice after a long ill- ness bravely borne. 36 birders. This bird appeared to belong Rarities and unusual to the nominate fuscus race which most sightings report: inland records can be assigned to. Regional Rarities/ Streeksrariteite August 2014 Compiled by André Marx A couple of significant sightings to report from the winter months when migrants are absent and birding activity is less. A Lesser Black-backed Gull in Benoni was prob- ably the most twitched bird in the period and the find over the last few months has to be the Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk near Hekpoort; just check a distribution Sickle-winged Char - photo by Jason map to see how significant that record is! Boyce Other rare records for were Lap- pet-faced Vulture and Mountain Wagtail, Chat, Sickle-winged. Spekvreter, which once again appeared at Fountains Vlakte-: one bird was found at Suik- in Pretoria. My thanks to all who submit erbosrand NR where it remained for sightings and photos to me or via SABAP2 several weeks, 17 May 2014 (JB). An and the various Internet forums. uncommon winter visitor to the region. National Rarities/ Nasionalerariteite Lesser Black-backed Gull. Meeu, Kleinswartrug-: an immature bird was located at Korsman Bird Sanctu- ary, Benoni, 30 May 2014 (AR), where it remained for a number of weeks and could be observed by many local

Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk - photo by Andrew Keys

Sparrowhawk, Rufous-breasted. Sperwer, Rooibors-: a remarkable sighting is of one bird photographed near Hekpoort in pentad 2550_2725, west of Pretoria, 10 Aug 2014 (AK). Lesser Black-backed Gull - photo by While there are occasional sightings Neithard Graf von Durckheim of this species on the eastern edge of 37 the 100km radius within Gauteng in (JN). This sighting is possibly of the same the Rhenosterkop area, this is the first bird that was first recorded in Feb 2013 photographic evidence of this species’ and again in Oct 2013, each time re- occurrence in the region and the first maining for a few weeks. known record in the west of Gaut- Other Interesting Observations/ Ander eng. A species that in all probability is Interessante Waarnemings colonising the province due to ongoing habitat changes. Buzzard, Lizard. Valk, Akkedis-: a sighting of one bird at the Groenkloof Starling, Common. Spreeu, Eu- Nature Reserve in Pretoria is unusual ropese: two birds were at Northern for that locality, 7 Aug 2014 (AF). Farm, south-west of Pretoria dur- ing the club outing there, 17 Jul 2014 Eagle, Long-crested. Arend, Lang- kuif-: one bird was seen again at Onderstepoort 10 May 2014 (MdlR). Harrier, Black. Vleivalk, Witkruis-: an unusual sighting of one bird in pen- tad 2635_2725 near Fochville is note- worthy and is further west than other records for this winter visitor, 5 Jul 2014 (JR, LS). Rock Thrush, Sentinel. Kliplyster, Langtoon-: one bird was on a rocky Lappet-faced Vulture - photo by koppie in pentad 2620_2740 just south Andrew Keys of Westonaria, 21 Jun 2014 (RVdS, DV, LS). A sighting of a male at the Pien- (BLNG). aarsrivier offramp from the N1, north of Pretoria, is most unusual with this Vulture, Lappet-faced. Aasvoël, species not known from the area at all, Swart-: a record of one bird near 19 Jul 2014 (EM). This may represent a Hekpoort, west of Pretoria, in pen- tad 2550_2730 is the first record of this species in the region since the start of SABAP2 in 2007, 2 Aug 2014 (AK). An- other sighting in the De Tweedespruit area north-east of Pretoria in pentad 2530_2835 on 7 Aug 2014 possibly rep- resents the same individual or another wandering bird, (SO, AW, JD). Wagtail, Mountain. Kwikkie, Berg- : after a long absence this species was once again found at the Groenkloof Sentinel Rock Thrush - photo by Nature Reserve in Pretoria, 27 Jul 2014 Etienne Marais

38 wandering individual as this species is John Drowley (JD) known to move locally during winter. Justin Nicolau (JN) Stork, Black. Ooievaar, Swart-: 3 Leon Spies (LS) birds were seen next to a small dam in pentad 2635_2810 south of Suikerbos- Morné de la Rey (MdlR) rand NR, 13 Jul 2014 (RVdS). Richard Van der Spuy (RVdS) Observers/ Waarnemers Sue Oertli (SO) Allan Ridley (AR) This column is mainly concerned with ob- Alta Fraser (AF) servations of rarities and interesting sight- ings made in the greater Gauteng region, Amanda Walden (AM) defined as 100km from the centre of both Andrew Keys (AK) Johannesburg and Pretoria, however ob- servations made further afield are also BirdLife Northern Gauteng members welcome. While the majority of records (BLNG) are included it is sometimes necessary to Dylan Vasapolli (DV) exclude some depending on whether the Etienne Marais (EM) subject matter has already been well re- ported. Occasionally records are sourced Jason Boyce (JB) from the Internet. Members are invited to Joël Roerig (JR) submit details of sightings to André Marx at e-mail [email protected] or 083 4117674

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION Wendy Burtenshaw Lesley Cornish Graham Dumbrill John Farrant

Mary-Lou Kingaby John Mortimer

NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS Bokmakierie is published three times annually. Contributions may be in or Eng- lish. English names of birds should be those used in Roberts VII. Views expressed 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.

39

EAST RAND 25th ANNIVERSARY Photos by Henriette Sutcliffe

Jack & Joyce Veenendaal, Nelly Billing- Peter Huggins and past Chairman Ian ton, Tiny van Dijk and Julie Herselman Smith

Snacks served!

Willem Grobbelaar, Dr. Ross Wan- Willem Grobelaar presenting Mark An- less, Murrie Slotar, Ernst Retief & Mark derson of BirdLife with a certificate Anderson