Archived sightings
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Current Sightings 

Previous sightings - Compiled and commented on by André Marx

National Rarities/ Nasionale Rariteite European Honey-Buzzard. Wespedief (130); one bird was seen at Rooiwal Sewerage Works on 23 Feb 2003 (Rob Geddes); also observed at Mkhombo NR on 1 Mar 2003 (Rob Geddes & Frans v Vuuren) and again at this locality on 8 Mar 2003 (WW); one bird was at Ezemvelo NR on 15 Mar 2003 (Stephan Terblanche). This species is classed as a national rarity and has been recorded regularly during summer in our region in recent years, suggesting that it is more common than is generally believed, especially in the north of the country. Western (Eurasian) Marsh-Harrier. Europese Vleivalk (164); observed at Marievale on 19 Jan 2003 (Eric Ehlers). This is a reliable locality for this species during summer. Regional Rarities/ Streeksrariteite Steppe Eagle. Steppe-arend (133); on 23 Mar 2003 one bird was seen in flight in the Pienaarsrivier area north of Pretoria and was watched through a scope for some time (Etienne Marais). Record subject to vetting procedures. Lesser Spotted Eagle. Gevlekte Arend (134); noted at Mdala NR on 2 Feb 2003 and in the Rust der Winter area on 1 Mar 2003 (Rob Geddes & Frans v Vuuren). Records are subject to vetting procedures; this is an uncommon summer migrant in our area and care should be taken to separate this species from other, similar eagles. Pallid Harrier. Witborsvleivalk (167); present at Wolfhuiskraal on 10 Jan 2003 (Etienne Marais); and at Mkhombo NR on 26 Jan 2003 (Rob Geddes); also at Kgomo-kgomo on 2 Mar 2003 (Roger Fieldwick & Pat Tattersall). Corn Crake. Kwartelkoning (211); observed at Buffelsdrift Conservancy on 30 Jan 2003 (Rob Geddes). Spotted Crake. Gevlekte Riethaan (214); between 17 Mar and 6 Apr 2003 up to two birds were seen at various times at Bullfrog Pan, Benoni, by several club members (BLNG ). This species is a Palearctic migrant that breeds in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia and is erratic in occurrence in South Africa. Burchell's Courser. Bloukopdrawwertjie (299); three birds were seen at the Rustenburg NR on 10 May 2003 (via Johnny Wilson). This species is seldom recorded within a 100km radius of Pretoria. White-fronted Plover. Vaalstrandkiewiet (246); observed at Mkhombo NR on 1 Mar 2003 (Frans v Vuuren, Rob Geddes). Grey-backed Sparrowlark (Finchlark). Grysruglewerik (516); a flock of 25 birds was observed at the Rustenburg NR on 20 Apr 2003 (Duan Biggs). Garden Bird Records/ Tuinvoëls African Rail. Grootriethaan (210); in late Apr 2003 the characteristic trilling of this species was heard at 23:50 one evening as it was flying overhead over a part of Moreleta Park, Pretoria, and it is speculated that this species - which is generally found in dense wetland habitat - was undertaking nomadic movements (Faansie Peacock). Levaillant's (Striped) Cuckoo. Gestreepte Nuwejaarsvoël (381); up to five birds at a time were observed to be feeding on caterpillars that had infested a boskoorsboom in a garden in Florauna, Pretoria, during the first week of Jan 2003 (Helgard Holtzhausen). Southern White-faced Scops-Owl. Witwanguil (397); one bird was seen on 20 Apr 2003 at Wonderboom NR (CV); on 29 Apr 2003 one bird was seen perched in a jacaranda tree in Marais Street, Brooklyn, after the observer's attention was drawn to it by the number of different species of birds that were seen to be mobbing the owl and making distress calls (Ingrid van Heerden). Fiery-necked Nightjar. Afrikaanse Naguil (405); a bird was heard calling at 05:30 in the early morning in mid Apr 2003 on the ridge in Colbyn, Pretoria, and this is the first time this species has been noted in the area (PC); heard at 06:00 on Klapperkop hill on 20 Apr 2003 (NJ); also resident on some of the ridges in Waterkloof Heights, being heard calling frequently in Apr 2003 (Rynetta Coetzee). Freckled Nightjar. Donkernaguil (408); at 05:30 on the morning of 25 Apr 2003 this species was heard calling at a residence in Garsfontein, Pretoria (Déwald Swanepoel). Grey-headed Bush-Shrike. Spookvoël (751); the following accounts of this species, mostly of birds in suburban gardens, were recently reported on the Pretoria Birdnet: one bird in Murrayfield on 2 Jan 2003 (Martha Pretorius); heard in Murrayfield during early Jan 2003 (Casper Rootman); a bird seen in Lynnwood Ridge in mid Apr 2003 (Roger Fieldwick); one bird seen in Rietfontein on 19/20 Apr 2003 (Bets Lategan); two birds seen at the Wonderboom NR on 19/20 Apr 2003 (Carel Viljoen); reported up to 3-4 times during a year in Brummeria (Willem Boshoff); occasional occurrence reported in Magalieskruin (Hennie Aucamp); appears to be resident in Wierda Park as a bird was heard calling most mornings during Apr/May 2003 (Etienne Marais). Marico Sunbird. Maricosuikerbekkie (779); on 21 May 2003 the distinctive call of this species outside work premises in Arcadia, Pretoria, led to an investigation whereupon a female bird was found hunting insects in the canopy of a haak-en-steek (Acacia tortilis) tree (Rihann Geyser). Thick-billed Weaver. Dikbekwewer (807); reports from the Pretoria Birdnet: a group of birds was observed during late April/ early May in a garden in Lyttleton, Centurion, where this species has not been seen before (Leon Kay); several ringed at Moreleta Kloof during May 2003 (NJ); regularly reported from a garden in Lynnwood Ridge, with most sightings taking place in winter (Roger Fieldwick); also regularly visits a garden in Brummeria in winter, which is close to the breeding population in the Botanical Gardens (Willem Boshoff); a first sighting of this species took place in a garden in Fourways Gardens, southwest of Pretoria and not far from Diepsloot NR, on 7 Jun 2003 (André Marx). It is now generally believed that this species colonised parts of Johannesburg and Pretoria naturally, moving into the extensive reedbeds that have expanded over time in both cities. Migrant Records/ Trekvoëls Klaas's Cuckoo. Meitjie (385); one bird was heard calling in the Groenkloof NR on 10 May 2003, a late record (Frans & Adele v Vuuren). Fairy Flycatcher. Feevlieëvanger (706); early records of this winter visitor include: 24 Apr 2003 at Ezemvelo NR (Johnny Wilson); 3 May 2003 at Somabula NR (Stephan Terblanche); 10 May 2003 at Rustenburg (Johnny Wilson); 23 May 2003 at Buffelsdrift Conservancy (Gerhard Scheepers), and also here on 28 May 2003 (Rob Geddes & Pieter v Zyl); 23 May 2003 at Seringveld Conservancy (Etienne Marais); 24 May 2003 at Wits Botanical Gardens (Eric Ehlers); Information obtained from the Pretoria Conservation Challenge. Other Interesting Observations/ Ander Interessante Waarnemings Black-necked Grebe. Swartnekdobbertjie (7); seen on 29 Mar 2003 at Mkhombo NR (Rob Geddes). Dwarf Bittern. Dwergrietreier (79); two birds observed at Mdala NR on 8 Feb 2003 (Rob Geddes & Etienne Marais); one bird at Buffelsdrift Conservancy 23 Mar 2003 (Gerhard Scheepers). Black Stork. Grootswartooievaar (84); one bird noted at Mkhombo NR on 8 Feb 2003 (Rob Geddes & Etienne Marais). South African Shelduck. Kopereend (103); on 26 Jan 2003 one bird was seen at Rooiwal Sewerage Works, north of Pretoria (Lukas Botha), and was noted again at this locality on 16 Mar 2003 (Roger Fieldwick & Pat Tattersall); four birds at Bronkhorstspruit NR on 9 Mar 2003 (Roger Fieldwick & Pat Tattersall); one at Elandsvlei on 22 Mar 2003 (Etienne Marais); 17 at Marievale on 22 May 2003 (Etienne Marais). Long-crested Eagle. Langkuifarend (139); observed at Premier Mine NR on 15 Feb 2003 (Frans v Vuuren); seen in the Gouwskloof region, northeast of Bronkhorstspruit, on 22 Mar 2003 (Rob & Tionette Geddes). Brown Snake-Eagle. Bruinslangarend (142); a bird was observed during early March 2003 at Rietvlei NR and remained in the area for at least one month (Rihann Geyser). Martial Eagle. Breëkoparend (144); one bird was seen at Mkhombo NR on 13 Feb 2003 (PCC); observed at Jakkalsspruit, near Moloto, on 2 Apr 2003 (Rob Geddes); a juvenile bird was seen on 18 May 2003 on the R515, 1km from the junction with the R25, between Bapsfontein and Rayton, and young birds of this species are known to wander into areas of untypical habitat (Etienne Marais). African Marsh-Harrier. Afrikaanse Vleivalk (165); seen at Marievale on the following dates: 19 Jan 2003 (Eric Ehlers), one bird on 30 Mar 2003 (Stephan Terblanche), and on 22 May 2003 (Etienne Marais); at Elandsvlei on 12 Mar 2003 (Andre & Theresa v Wyk). Crested Francolin. Bospatrys (189); one bird was seen running along the pavement of a built-up area in Mayville, Pretoria, from where this species is generally not known, in mid May 2003 (Warren Waterston). Baillon's Crake. Kleinriethaan (215); seen at Buffelsdrift Conservancy on 1 Mar 2003 (Frans v Vuuren, Rob Geddes); observed at Mkhombo NR on 8 Mar 2003 (Warren Waterston). Lesser Moorhen. Kleinwaterhoender (227); two birds were at Mdala NR on 8 Feb 2003 (Etienne Marais, Rob Geddes); two birds in the Wolfhuiskraal area on 23 Mar 2003 (Etienne Marais). African Finfoot. Watertrapper (229); one bird was seen on the Wilge River at Ezemvelo NR on 2 Mar 2003 (BLNG ). Lesser Jacana. Dwerglangtoon (241); on 27 Apr 2003 a single bird was seen at a dam in the Satara district of Kruger NP (Pieter v Zyl & Lukas Botha). While this sighting took place out of our general area this species is seldom recorded in the northern part of the country, with regular records only occurring in parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Water Thick-knee (Dikkop). Waterdikkop (298); two birds were observed at Ditholo NR on 4 May 2003 (Faansie Peacock & Ronel Viljoen); also heard at Vaalkop Dam NR on 18 May 2003 (Etienne Marais). Black-winged Pratincole. Swartvlerksprinkaanvoël (305); a flock of about 100 birds was seen during the club outing on 9 Mar 2003 at a small dam at Klipdrift NR, about 50km north of Pretoria (BLNG ). African Grass-Owl. Grasuil (393); present at Buffelsdrift on 28 Mar 2003 (Rob Geddes, Frans v Vuuren) and again on 17 May 2003 (Gerhard Scheepers); two seen at Elandsvlei on 21 Feb 2003 (Pete Irons) and again at this locality on 9 Apr 2003 (Johnny Wilson). Melodious Lark. Spotlewerik (492); on 22 Mar 2003 three birds were observed displaying over open grassland at Midrand Estates, an area due for development. One of the birds was heard to be mimicking at least 13 other species while displaying (Rihann Geyser). Dark-capped Yellow Warbler. Geelsanger (637); one bird was seen in the scrub just below the southernmost holding dam at Rooiwal, north of Pretoria, on 4 May 2003, and it would appear that this is a new location for this species (André Marx, Ida Nel). Lesser Grey Shrike. Gryslaksman (731); one bird was observed at Rietvlei NR on 30 Mar 2003 (Rihann Geyser). Lark-like Bunting. Vaalstreepkoppie (887); two birds were observed at the Somabula NR, south of Cullinan, on 4 May 2003 (Stephan Terblanche); on 22 May 2003 three birds were found in Suikerbosrand NR (Etienne Marais). This species is erratic in our area, visiting mainly during dry periods when conditions locally become more favourable. Feral Species/ Uitheemse Spesies Rose-ringed Parakeet. Ringnekparkiet (366); several reports have appeared on the Pretoria Birdnet about the occurrence of this species and it would appear that populations are increasing: a small flock reported on 18 Apr 2003 from Smuts House, Irene, and also occasionally seen at the Botanical Gardens in Brummeria (RB); a flock of 12 flying past the Zwartkops Golf Course in Centurion on 21 Apr 2003 (Johann v Rensburg); at least 5-6 individuals regularly observed at Jean Ave., Centurion (Stefan swanepoel); 2-4 birds seen at least once a week in Hennopspark (Vicky de Bie); a group are seen regularly in Wierda Park (Etienne Marais); and a report of a roost of 30-40 birds near Gloverlaan, Lyttleton (Leon Kay).

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