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Recent Rare and Unusual Bird Sightings Kruger National Park – 2015 The records listed in this document are courtesy of Trevor Hardaker’s SA Rare Bird News at [email protected] , submissions via the SANParks website, or direct contact between birders and SANParks staff. They reflect birds that are considered rare, vagrant or accidental in the park, or that reflect highly unusual behaviour or special sightings.

November 2015 A single RACKET-TAILED ROLLER was reported on the main tar road about 500m north of Letaba rest camp on the 2 nd . Editor – This species is usually restricted to the Far North of the park, with most records being from north of the Levuvhu River, although there have been some sightings in the Klopperfontein area and until about 10 years ago there were a seemingly resident pair near Crook’s Corner but on the southern side of the Levuvhu. However historically there are records of birds from as far south as the Olifants River. October 2015 A single COMMON MYNA was reported along the Mahonie Loop near Punda Maria in the Kruger National Park on Saturday morning.

Common Myna on the Mahonie Loop © Martin Hobbs

A BLACK SAW-WING was seen along the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park on the 25 th and on the same day the SOUTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVERS were still present at Crocodile Bridge as well.

A SLATY EGRET was reported along the Crocodile River at Malelane Gate on the 5 th .

A pair of SOUTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVERS were also still present at Crocodile Bridge on the 5 th .

Southern Brown-throated Weaver at Crocodile Bridge © Michael Raum September 2015 Two red-billed teals were present at Pioneer Dam on the 28 th , a somewhat uncommon species in the park.

The GREEN SANDPIPER reported in the pool west of Nwanetsi Bridge on the H 1-3 in the Kruger National Park was still present there until at least Thursday 24 th .

Green Sandpiper at Nwanezi bridge © Michael Raum

AFRICAN SACRED IBISES were reported in front of the Mugg & Bean in Letaba Restcamp on Wednesday 23 rd , whilst 4 birds were reported along the Crocodile River close to Malelane last week as well and another 2 were seen at the Malelane Bridge. It is safe to say that these birds have now effectively colonized the park.

Then, not in Kruger, but in one of the neighbouring private lodges, a RUFOUS-BELLIED HERON was seen earlier today (28 th ) at Nyati Lodge along the Sand River in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Perhaps it will move downstream into the park proper, so readers should keep an eye open…

Rufous-bellied Heron at Nyati Lodge © Paddy Hagelthorn

At least 2 AFRICAN SACRED IBISES were present at Pioneer Dam and visible from Mopani Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park on the 22 nd (up to 3 were reported there the previous week).

2 CHESTNUT-VENTED TIT-BABBLERS were located along the H1-6 near Shingwedzi camp in the Kruger National Park about 100m south of the S52 turn-off at -23.098373, 31.387998 on Monday 21 st . One of the first GREEN SANDPIPERS of the season was reported from Sabi Sabi (private reserve on the border of Kruger) on Friday afternoon of the 18 th , and another potential one was reported in a pool on the west side of Nwanetsi bridge on the H1-3 in the Kruger National Park on Monday 21 st .

A pair of RED-HEADED FINCHES were located in Satara camp in the Kruger National Park on Monday 7 th .

Red-headed Finches at Satara © Andre Strydom August 2015 UPDATE: Unfortunately, despite a number of people searching, the LONG-TOED LAPWING reported last week at Ngwenya Lodge on the Crocodile River could not be relocated, over the weekend of the 15 th /16 th , but birders in southern Kruger should be vigilant at access points along the Crocodile River as it may still be in the general area.

LONG-TOED LAPWING - news has just filtered through of a single bird at Elephant Walk hide at Ngwenya Lodge on the park’s southern boundary near Crocodile Bridge on the 13 th . The bird has been photographed and there is no doubt over the ID. Apparently, it has been there for 4 days already! What a fantastic record for the area, with the last South African record for this species may have been an individual photographed at Geinab waterhole near Union's End in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park back in February 2006 - reported by Lee Doolan.

Long-toed Lapwing at Ngwenya Lodge © Lee Doolan

UPDATE: 4 AFRICAN SACRED IBIS were at Malelane Bridge on the 10 th .

UPDATE: The COLLARED PALM THRUSH could not be located during an hour spent in the early morning on the 10 th at Ntandanyathi Hide near Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park. However it was a very windy day and this may have affected things, as well as possible disturbance over the long weekend as the park and visitation to the hide was incredibly busy.

A PURPLE-BANDED SUNBIRD was reported to the left of Skukuza restaurant as you face the river on the afternoon of the 9 th .

A JACKAL BUZZARD was seen along the S110 near Berg-en-Dal on Saturday 8 th .

Jackal Buzzard near Berg-en-Dal © Juanita Steyn A CAPE BATIS was located near the clock tower in Skukuza camp in the Kruger National Park on the 6 th .

The AFRICAN SACRED IBIS at Malelane Bridge remained present in the area until at least Tuesday 4 th . July 2015 UPDATE: The COLLARED PALM THRUSH was still present at Ntandanyathi Hide near Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park earlier on the 30th .

No fewer than 5 SOUTHERN POCHARDS were at Mazithi Dam (Between Tshokwane and Satara) on the 30 th .

An AFRICAN SACRED IBIS was at Malelane Bridge on the 30 th .

A SOUTHERN FISCAL was along the H2-1 about 1,3km west of the S7 near Pretoriuskop on the 30 th .

UPDATE: a number of birders have been taking advantage of the reliable COLLARED PALM THRUSH at Ntandanyathi Hide near Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park which was still showing well until at least 22 nd . If ever there was an easy tick of this species in the country, this certainly seems to be it.

UPDATE: the COLLARED PALM THRUSH at Nthandanyathi Hide south of Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park was still present until at least the morning of the 20 th of July.

Collared Palm Thrush at Nthandanyathi Hide © Martin Hobbs

UPDATE: the COLLARED PALM THRUSH at Nthandanyathi Hide south of Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park was still present until at least the morning of the 16 th of July.

Collared Palm Thrush at Ntandanyathi Hide © Robert Wienand UPDATE: the COLLARED PALM THRUSH at Nthandanyathi Hide south of Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park was still present until at least Saturday 11 th (seems a lot of provincial listers are making an effort to track down this mega for the province!)

Collared Palm Thrush at Nthandanyathi Hide © Duncan McKenzie

There was another CAPPED WHEATEAR but this time in the northern Limpopo section of the park at Tihongonyeni waterhole on the Tropic of Capricorn loop on Friday 10 th .

A couple of AFRICAN SACRED IBISES at Pioneer Dam near Mopani camp on the 10 th , whilst several of the same species were also reported along the Crocodile River at Ngwenya Lodge on Monday 13 th . June 2015 The CAPPED WHEATEAR reported on 12 June along the entrance road to the Ntandanyathi Hide in the Kruger National Park was still present until at least Saturday 27 th, whilst another individual was reported at Kirkman's Camp in the southern part of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve on Monday 29 th .

An AFRICAN SACRED IBIS was seen at Sunset Dam near Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park on Saturday 27 th , and another was reported flying along the Crocodile River at Ngwenya Lodge on Sunday 28 th .

A COLLARED PALM THRUSH seen on the 28 th at Ntandanyathi hide between Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie (S 25.12.441 E 31 57.564). This bird (presumably the same bird) was first reported from this area on 20 May 2015, so has been around the hide for at least 40 days now, making it a seemingly reliable contender for those wishing to twitch it for their provincial lists.

Collared Palm Thrush at Ntandanyathi hide © W.D. Schutte

A female CAPE BATIS was located on Sunday 28th at Skukuza indigenous nursery whilst 2 AFRICAN SACRED IBISES were also present at the Sabie low level bridge just outside Skukuza. Cape Batis at Skukuza Nursery © Guy Hausler

UPDATE: The CAPPED WHEATEAR reported recently near Mjejane was also still present until at least Friday 26 th .

UPDATE: at least one CAPPED WHEATEAR was also still present near Mjejane on the 25 th .

A group of 8 CAPE TEAL were reported on the 24 th along the Shingwedzi River about 400m upstream of Shingwedzi rest camp in the Kruger National Park, an unusual record for this area.

Another CAPPED WHEATEAR was located on the 21st near Mjejane in the southern Kruger National Park along the new road to the bridge from the lodges. It was still present in the same area earlier today (22 nd ), as well and was joined by a second individual. This is the second record of this species in the southern part of the park in the last 10 days, a species usually quite rare in the Lowveld – but reactive to suitable veld conditions, particularly if there have been recent fires.

A group of 15 PINK-BACKED PELICANS were located along the H4-1 about 1km from Lower Sabie camp late on the afternoon of the 19 th .

There was some local excitement on Friday12th when a CAPPED WHEATEAR was located along the short entrance road to Ntandanyathi Hide south of Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park, a very rare bird in the Lowveld. Capped Wheatear near Ntandanyathi Hide © Duncan McKenzie

A pair of RED-HEADED FINCHES were present earlier today (11 th ) at Grootvlei Dam between Mopani Rest Camp and the Lebombo Mountains in the Kruger National Park.

Red-headed Finch at Grootvlei Dam © Jean-Marc Strydom May 2015 A COLLARED PALM THRUSH was seen on 20 th May 2015 at Nthandanyathi bird hide south of Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park (-25.20726 31.95943). This is a very southerly record for this species and might possibly even be the first record for Mpumalanga Province (although I am sure someone will come forward in due course to prove me wrong on this - TH). Most Kruger records of this species in recent years have been from the Shingwedzi Area in Limpopo – CP.

Collared Palm Thrush at Nthandanyathi bird hide © Natalie Horn

An AFRICAN SACRED IBIS was seen foraging on Pioneer Dam by Mopani Camp during May 2015. This photo was taken from the Fish Eagle Terrace.

African Sacred Ibis at Pioneer Dam © Jacques de Speville April 2015 There was major excitement on the 22 nd when 3 WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATERS at Rhino Dam at Thornybush Game Reserve on the western boundary of Kruger. First located at around 9am, the birds followed the typical pattern of the vagrant occurrences of this species in Southern Africa and stayed around for about 3 hours allowing a number of people who were close by to connect with them. However, a number of people who only arrived on site after midday were left disappointed once the birds had moved off and extensive searching throughout the rest of the day could not relocate the birds. This has got to be one of the most un-twitchable species on the Southern African list at the moment with not a single record ever having been twitchable. The chances are that when they moved off they passed through Kruger.

This is only the 17th record for Southern Africa with previous records being a single bird in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in December 1988, a single bird in Sedgefield in February 1990, one near Wakkerstroom in April 1995, 7 birds at Cape Point in March 1998, 2 in Mkuze Game Reserve in September 1999, a single bird in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe in November 2002, one bird in Pearly Beach in April 2004, a singleton at Shingwedzi in the Kruger National Park in December 2004, one near East London in September 2006, one in a Hillcrest, Durban garden in October 2008, 2 birds at Balule Nature Reserve in March 2010, 2 separate sightings in February 2011 in the Kruger National Park, one near Skukuza and the other near Crook's Corner, one near Lower Sabie in November 2011, one along the Crocodile Bridge Road in February 2014 and, most recently, one between Orpen and Satara in January 2015. Amazing how many of these records are from Kruger (9/17) and that 3 of the other sightings were in other SANParks .

White-throated Bee-eater at Thornybush Game Reserve © Ryan Jack White-throated Bee-eaters at Thornybush Game Reserve © Juan Pinto

No fewer than 10 GREAT WHITE PELICANS were present on Thursday morning 16 th in the Kruger National Park along the H1-6 (Shingwedzi - Mopani tar road) about 1,4km before the turn off to Bateleur camp from the Shingwedzi side.

Great White Pelicans in the Kruger National Park © Cees Bakker

A sub-adult RED-NECKED FALCON was photographed on 4 April 2015 about 10km north of Satara on the main tar road. These falcons have been recorded as rare vagrants to the park over the years and has been claimed in old literature in association with baobabs or borassus palms. However there have not been any recent records, and it is an exciting find.

It is not known if the birds recorded in Kruger over the years are from the horsbrughi race of this species as found mainly in north-western SA, Botswana and Namibia or the northern Mozambique subspecies ruficollis and the birds in Mozambique are of that palm-associated race. This bird is too young to show the features distinguishing the two races ( horsbrughi is larger, paler and with less barring on the belly), and anyone who may ecounter this species in Kruger and obtain some photos bird is encouraged to submit these to SANParks Red-necked Falcon © Liam Rainier

Red-necked Falcon © Liam Rainier

A EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD was recorded at Muzandzeni picnic site in the Kruger National Park on Thursday 2 nd . An AFRICAN SACRED IBIS seen at the Sabie River low level bridge outside Skukuza on the 2 nd (a scarce species in the Kruger National Park).

Sacred Ibis near Skukuza © Guy Hausler March 2015 A GREAT WHITE PELICAN seen on the H1-5 H8 crossing at the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park on Tuesday 31 st .

An ARNOT'S CHAT was seen at Ngala Lodge (next to Orpen Camp) in Mopane woodland there on the 30 th , an unusual record this far south in the park and surrounding areas, although not unprecedented.

Arnot’s Chat at Ngala Lodge © Bernard Stiglingh

A COLLARED PALM THRUSH was seen close to Shingwedzi in the Kruger National Park on Wednesday 25 th when it was seen at 23 09.941 S 031 30.111 E. This is the first report (certainly on SARBN) of one in the area for a few years, when formerly they were seemingly resident in the camp itself.

A LESSER JACANA was seen at the Sweni Hide in the Kruger National Park on Sunday 22 nd , and was seen on the 23 rd .

Lesser Jacana © Casper Badenhorst On 19 th March, a SLATY EGRET was observed from Ngwenya Lodge on the Crocodile River – the southern border of Kruger. Apparently it has been in the area for a few weeks, so it might stay around for a few more days.

Slaty Egret © Simone Swiel

Up in Limpopo Province in the northern reaches of the park, there is some potential excitement with the discovery of a possible BASRA REED WARBLER at Pafuri. The bird was apparently present throughout the weekend (14 th /15 th ), but views were brief and, eventually, a few photos were obtained. Although they do not show the whole bird, the consensus amongst those that have viewed them is that it would seem to most likely be this species. The bird was apparently present in some thickets between the information board and ablution block, both on your left as you arrive at the Pafuri picnic site.

Possible Basra Reed Warbler at Pafuri © Michael Johnson Then not a true rarity, but somewhat unusual in the park and certainly rarer than other large herons species in the park was a BLACK-HEADED HERON reported from Kumana Dam south of Satara (Mpumalanga) on Tuesday 10 th .

A GREATER FLAMINGO was seen along the Letaba River about 1km north of Letaba camp on Sunday 8 th . Occasional flamingos (both species) found in the northern parts of the park are believed to disperse along the Limpopo River from the Makgadagadi Pans in Botswana en route to the Mozambique Coast, but then misdirect up some of the tributaries that cross the park like the Shingwedzi and Letaba.

On the 7 th of March of a small flock of BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLES seen just east of Tihongonyeni waterhole along the Tropic of Capricorn Loop north-east of Mopani camp in the Kruger National Park just as the open area starts when approaching the waterhole from Dipeni Road. (This is a noteworthy sighting, because the majority of pratincoles recorded in the park are Collared Pratincole, formerly known as Red-winged Pratincole) February 2015

A EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD was reported along the S3 Numbi to Phabeni road on the 19 th .

In Mpumalanga, there was big excitement on Saturday 14 th when an adult PALM-NUT VULTURE was located along the S118 between Malelane and Crocodile Bridge, still an unusual species to encounter in the park.

The GREEN SANDPIPER was also still present at the Sweni bridge in the Kruger National Park until at least Thursday (12 th ).

A EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD was recorded along the S11 at Napi Boulder in the Kruger National Park (Mpumalanga) on Thursday 12 th .

A EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD was recorded near Phabeni Gate in the Kruger National Park on Tuesday 10 th .

European Honey Buzzard near Phabeni gate © Arno Pietersen An unidentifiable female or immature harrier was dive bombing a PEREGRINE FALCON at Ngotso Dam on the 8 th , while later on the same day a CUCKOO FINCH was seen at Vutomi Dam (reported by Nic Squires )

The SOUTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER continued on at Crocodile Bridge in the Kruger National Park on the weekend (7 th /8 th ) whilst, also in the park but perhaps more exciting, a SOOTY FALCON was located on Thursday (5 th ), 7km from the Paul Kruger gate towards Skukuza Rest Camp, a nice record for the park indeed.

The long staying SOUTHERN BROWN-THROATED WEAVER was still on show at the Crocodile Bridge River crossing on the 1st.

A EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARD was present at Lake Panic in the Kruger National Park on the 4th . There have also been some interesting reports at the start of February from the Pretoriuskop area of Kruger where a RED-KNOBBED COOT has been present at Shitlhave Dame and a RED- FOOTED FALCON was located along the Voortrekker Road just east of Skipberg.

A CUCKOO FINCH turned up yesterday (1 st ) on the Biyamithi Loop.

Cuckoo Finch on Biyamithi Loop © Joshua Rogers January 2015 EUROPEAN HONEY BUZZARDS were reported from along the Mahonie Loop near Punda Maria in the Kruger National Park (Limpopo) on the 28 th and again on the 30 th just outside the camp gate.

Highlights from the West Rand Honorary Rangers Extreme Birding Weekends in the Punda Maria/Pafuri/Nwambiya Sandveld/Northern Plains grasslands region held over consecutive weekends 23 rd to 25 th and 30 th Jan to 1 st Feb. Birds to be added … DICKINSON’s KESTREL (still present at same place on Sunday the 1 st )

Southern Africa’s 16th ever WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER was seen on Tuesday 27 th along the road between Orpen and Satara in the Kruger National Park about 10km from Orpen.

No less than 3 THRUSH NIGHTINGALES were located calling in dense thickets in the south- western corner of Satara camp in the Kruger National Park this morning (26 th )

A GREEN SANDPIPER was reported from Duke's waterhole in the Kruger National Park on Sunday 25 th .

Green Sandpiper at Duke’s waterhole, KNP Karin Nelson

After a short period of not being recorded there, the GREEN SANDPIPER was at the Sweni bridge in the Kruger National Park on Saturday 17 th whilst another was located on the H1-2 about 400m south of Leeupan on Saturday 17 th too.

There were no fewer than 5 SOUTHERN POCHARDS at Nsemani Dam on the 15 th .

The “resident” Brown-throated Weaver was nest building in the reeds near the park side of the Crocodile River at Crocodile Bridge on the 4 th , despite the river being in strong flow and the reed bed being isolated. It (they) were still present on the 15 th .

A Green Sandpiper was recorded from the waterhole at Punda Maria on 3 and 4 January and was still present on the 8 th . Green Sandpiper at Punda Maria © Liaan Lategan

A White-throated Swallow was at Sunset Dam by Lower Sabie on the 3 rd .