News

These records are largely unsubstantiated reports published in the Bulletins of the African Bird Club.

Records submitted to the Niger Bird DataBase since the previous Recent Reports
include the following. A Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus of the nominate race was photographed in a tree in the Tin Toumma desert on 29 September 2010. A nest of Fox Kestrel Falco alopex containing three eggs was photographed near Niamey
in late May and early June. Also uploaded were photographs of a Little Crake Porzana parva at Goudel near Niamey. With two records of first-winter Blue Rock Thrushes Monticola solitarius from the Dallol Bosso on 19 February 2006, there are now seven records of the species from Niger, including one photographed. The subspecific identification of a male House Sparrow Passer domesticus, photographed at Mainé- Soroa on 1 March 2010, is still a matter of debate, with tintiganus or domesticus most likely.

The highlight of early 2010 was the presence of 'Dorottya', a satellite-tracked Saker Falcon Falco cherrug, which mostly remained c.50 km north of Zinder. The falcon was seen twice during a research project into its ecology in February. The sighting of another Saker Falcon in Nguigmi, on 13 November 2009, has been accepted. Arguably as stunning was the appearance of photographs of an adult Greater Kestrel F. rupicoloides, probably of the subspecies fieldi, taken at Termit, in the south-east, during a Sahara Conservation Fund expedition in February 2009. The nearest known records of this species are from Sudan on the border with Ethiopia, 2,500 km away.

Additional reports from December 2009–June 2010 include the following. Quite far north are records of breeding Bateleur Theratopius ecaudatus (fledgling at nest with adults) and of a single Savile's Bustard Lophotis savilei, both at Gadabeji in March. A Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus with three young was seen at Gadafaoua, south-east of Agadez, in June. Also noteworthy is the finding of a nest with two eggs of Golden Nightjar Caprimulgus eximius, on 1 June at Taguedoufat, 100 km southeast of Agadez. The recently opened Niger Bird DataBase website, is already paying dividends. Singing Dunn's Larks Eremalauda dunni were reported east of Termit on 15 December. Eurasian Golden Orioles Oriolus oriolus passed through Mainé-Soroa during the second half of April and Masked Shrikes Lanius nubicus were quite frequent there in February. House Sparrows Passer domesticus appear to be well established and spreading in south-east Niger. The
country's first record was from Djado in the far north-east in 1970; the second concerned a single male in Nguigmi, north-east of Lake Chad, on 21 August 2003. Although a search for this species at the latter site in 2005 was unsuccessful, a single was seen there on 22 April 2006. Four years later, on 20 April 2010, 'lots' were coming every day to a waterbowl in the same town, and a pair was reported from a petrol station in Mainé-Soroa, 100 km west of Lake Chad, on the border with Nigeria, in February.

During a field trip by the Sahara Conservation Fund Termit project 44 Great White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus were seen on 16 August 2009 north of Gouré, in south-east Niger; there are very few recent records in Niger, all of singles or very small groups. In autumn 2009, a satellite-tracked Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus flew from Romania to its wintering grounds in Angola via Niger. Photographs of a juvenile taken near Termit on 20 February 2004, whilst one or two other individuals were observed nearby, subsequently came to light; this was very early in the year, suggesting that some may winter in West rather than southern Africa. A Eurasian Hobby F. subbuteo from Germany took a similar route via Niger to Angola and Zambia in autumn 2008; of this species, too, there are only a handful of observations in Niger.

A Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus of the subspecies rufescens, photographed
near Niamey in November 2008, represents the first recent positive record; this taxon is not shown as occurring in Niger by Borrow & Demey (2001. Birds of
Western Africa) and Giraudoux et al. (1988. Avifaune du Niger. Malimbus 10:1–140) mention it only in very general terms. Thiollay (1977. Distribution saisonnière des rapaces diurnes en Afrique occidentale. Oiseau & R.F.O. 47: 253–285), however, mentioned it as nesting in small numbers in rocky areas from Dogondoutchi to the Aïr, and possibly also in trees. On 25 May 2008, a Western Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais opaca was photographed at Termit, which is rather far east for this species.

Records from November 2007 - March 2008 include the following. In November, several Rüppell’s Sylvia rueppelli and Sardinian Warblers S. melanocephala were observed at Termit; both are under-reported species that winter in the drier parts of Niger.

During an ornithological training course for park guides in W International Park (Bénin, Burkina Faso, Niger) in February, 14 Black Storks Ciconia nigra were seen in the Niger part of the park. Two Red-winged Warblers Heliolais erythropterus were identified at Tapoa; this is only the second record for the country. A pair of Coqui Francolins Francolinus coqui was seen outside the park north of Tapoa. African Finfoot Podica senegalensis, Violet Turaco Musophaga violacea, Grey- rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga (second record for Niger) and White-crowned Robin Chat Cossypha albicapilla were recorded near Point Triple. Oriole Warblers Hypergerus atriceps were also there and at the campsite on the Niger
River (two duetting adults in a group of five). At Pérélégou, Red-winged Pytilias Pytilia phoenicoptera and associated Exclamatory Paradise Whydahs Vidua interjecta were observed.

A visit to Kokoro Wetland northeast of Tahoua produced a Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis on 23 February - which was unusually far north. Also quite far
north was a juvenile Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator near Niamey in March. Further noteworthy sightings from the Niamey area in February - March included Yellow-breasted Barbet Trachyphonus margaritatus, Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla, Desert Lark Ammomanes deserti with young and Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius (few records in Niger).

A Secretary Bird Sagittarius serpentarius was seen near Tilia, north of Tahoua, in September 2006; this is the first record from Niger in decades. A single Banded Martin Riparia cincta was seen on 7 June 2004 just north of Magaria, south of Zinder. A Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris in the same area, on 8 June 2004, constitutes the first record from Niger; the species is considered common around Kano, Nigeria, 150 km to the south. The Wheatear Expedition to Niger, Mali and Mauritania in February-March 2007, from the Vogelwarte in Wilhelmshaven, reported a female Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala near Agadez and three Sennar Penduline Tits Anthoscopus punctifrons near Abalak; the paucity of records for these species in Niger is doubtless a reflection on the lack of observers.

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The most exciting news is that satellite studies have shown a juvenile Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae passed through north-eastern Niger during its southbound migration and an adult female crossed the south-west northbound; in mainland West Africa, this species is a very rare vagrant, known only from northern Mauritania, in November, and, more recently, Côte d’Ivoire, in March (Bull. ABC 8: 147). In the Agadez region, visits to a number of wetlands in early December 2006 turned up a Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides at Chinziganen, and a Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala and two Rüppell’s Warblers S. rueppelli at Chinwalmban. The second Montagu’s Harrier expedition to Niger in January -  February 2007 reported a Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola from a wetland near Birni N'Konni; if accepted, this would be a first for Niger and apparently only the second for West Africa, the first being from Senegal, in January 1999 (cf. Bull. ABC 8: 139–140). Also reported were a mixed group of 43 African Spoonbills Platalea alba, including many immatures, and 23 Eurasian Spoonbills P. leucorodia at Tabalak; breeding Desert Eagle Owls Bubo ascalaphus desertorum near Abalak; a Common Quail Coturnix coturnix west of Birni N’Konni and also midway between Niamey and Dosso; a number of Greater Hoopoe Larks Alaemon alaudipes in the Agadez region (surprisingly few recent observations); at least six Mourning Wheatears Oenanthe lugens near Diffa, far south of their known wintering grounds in the Aïr; a group of six Sennar Penduline Tits Anthoscopus punctifrons near Abalak; a pair of Desert Sparrows Passer simplex near Agadez; and six Red-winged Pytilias Pytilia phoenicoptera at a waterhole in the south of Parc Régional du W.

Details of the three Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota reportedly shot near Zinder during sampling of wild birds as part of H5N1 avian influenza monitoring in early 2006 have been received: they were collected at Chemagaji (13°30’N 09°50’E) on 28 February 2006 and were the only Hottentot Teal at the site, which consists of several pools in the desert.

The following records are from the period May–October 2006. Twelve occupied nests of Intermediate Egrets Egretta intermedia on 5 August, at Les Rôniers in Niamey, constitute the first confirmed breeding record of this species in Niger. It is unclear whether an immature Purple Heron Ardea purpurea at Saga the next day was also due to local breeding (unconfirmed for Niger) or involved a second calendar-year bird that did not return to Europe. An adult European Hobby Falco subbuteo reported from Les Rôniers on 17 September would be only the third record for Niger. Three male Ruffs Philomachus pugnax at Saga on 16 July are a very early observation. A Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis on 4 June, at the Tapoa Hotel in ‘W’ National Park, would be the third record for Niger, all since August 2004. A pair of Blackstarts Cercomela melanura feeding young in the Dallol Bosso on 3 August and two adult Yellow-billed Oxpeckers Buphagus africanus feeding two juveniles, at Dougel Kaina opposite Kolo, surprisingly constitute the first confirmed breeding records for Niger. A Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus at Les Rôniers on 2 September would be the second record for Niger.

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The following records are from the period October 2005-May 2006. At the Mare de Guidan Kara wetland, 30 km north-west of Birni N’Konni, the following species unusual for Niger were seen on 16 January: two Black-necked Grebes Podiceps nigricolllis, six Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope, four Common Teal A. crecca, three Common Pochards Aythya ferina, 262 Ferruginous Ducks A. nyroca and three Tufted Ducks A. fuligula; the water in the wetland is too saline for livestock and for agriculture. On a photograph taken in November 2005 at a wetland near Damana, between Baleyara and Filingué, a White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus (third record for Niger) and a Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota (c.10 previous records) can be seen. It is said that three Hottentot Teal were shot near Zinder during sampling of wild birds for the H5N1 avian influenza monitoring in February-March.

A Bat Hawk Macheiramphus alcinus was seen attacking fruitbats in Niamey on 2 October, and two individuals were observed at dusk near the Grand Hotel on 25 May. The Montagu Harrier Circus pygargus expedition in January-February 2006 quadrupled the number of observations of the species in Niger to more than 100. Fifty Lesser Kestrels Falco naumanni were counted in the Dallol Bosso at Birni N’Gaoré on 15 January.

A Little Crake Porzana parva was photographed at Goudel ricefields (13°53'N 02°05'E) on 5 March. Two Temminck's Stints Calidris temminckii were seen at Daïkana-Daïberi (14°18'N 01°47'E) on 18 February). Four Great Snipe Gallinago media and a Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus were at Saga, near Niamey, on 7 January. A single White-bellied Bustard Eupodotis senegalensis was seen near Birni N’Konni on 18 January, and many were heard near Guidan Roumji, north-west of Maradi, on 19 January. On 18 February, during a fall of migrants due to very dusty conditions, a Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens was reported near Tillabéri; the only previous report of this species from Niger is in a publication from 1950 on Tamasheq names of animals, without any other details. An Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis was found at Daïberi on 18 February. On 19 January, a Fiscal Shrike Lanius collaris was observed near Guidan Roumji, and a Red-backed Shrike L. collurio east of Birni N’Konn.

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The following species, for which there are few published records in Niger, were observed in the south-east in September-October 2005. A Black Stork Ciconia nigra was c.20 km north of Diffa on 4 October. A Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina flew east of Maine-Soroa on 7 October. An African Hobby Falco cuvierii was chasing grasshoppers near Maine-Soroa on 24 September. A White-rumped Swift Apus caffer was noted north of Diffa on 27 September and another, with Little Swifts A. affinis, at Diffa on 6 October; these are the first records from eastern Niger, all previous records being from the south-west. A pair of River Prinias Prinia fluviatilis was nest building at the Komadougou Yobé River, Diffa, on 23 and 29 September, and another was by the River Niger at Tillabéry on 11 October; these would constitute the first definite records for the country, if accepted. A Yellow-spotted Petronia Petronia pyrgita was found west of Diffa on 26 September.

Following the first observations of Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis and Alpine Swift T. melba  in 2004, Mottled and possibly also Alpine Swifts were seen on 25 October 2005 just east of Arlit, in a mixed flock with Common Swifts Apus apus, Pallid Swifts A. pallidus and a Little Swift A. affinis. A photograph of a possible African Black Swift Apus barbatus in the same flock is still being examined. The latter species has not yet been confirmed for Niger, although there are more than ten probable observations during the rainy season, including possible breeding in caves in the Dallol Bosso, 100 km east of Niamey.

Three species new to Niger were reported in 2003: Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius, heard 43 km west of Diffa on 25 September, Grassland Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus, seen 44 km north-east of Tahoua on 25 July and Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella, found 39 km west of Diffa on 25 September. Noteworthy sightings from the Diffa area in September 2003 include a Clapperton's Francolin Francolinus clappertoni on 23rd, a Kurrichane Buttonquail Turnix sylvaticus on 24th with another on 26th and a Little Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos elachus on 23rd.

A pair of African Pied Wagtails Motacilla aguimp (on the bank of the Niger River) and two Black-eared Wheatears Oenanthe hispanica were observed at Niamey on 24 January 2004; although these species are not uncommon in the area, documented sightings are scarce. Two Isabelline Shrikes Lanius isabellinus, seen on 19 September 2003 near Tanout, appear to represent the second record for Niger.

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Last page update 20th February 2012