News

dark morph Western Reef Heron Egretta gularis

flying off the northern coast of the island of São Tomé

Photo: John Caddick

The following largely unconfirmed records were published in the Bulletin of the African Bird Club for information only.

A White Stork Ciconia ciconia was photographed at Pinheira, São Tomé, on 10 October 2007; it was joined by a second individual on 18 October.

Western Reef Egrets Egretta gularis were fishing on the wing in a stiff breeze on the northern coast of São Tomé beyond Guadalupe on 27 September 2006; such behaviour appears unusual. A Common Sand Martin Riparia riparia over the river in Santo Antonio, Príncipe, on 28 September, appears to be the first for the island. Prolonged views of São Tomé Grosbeak Neospiza concolor were had by a birding group in August 2006, in the south-west corner of the island.

On 4 December 2003, an Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina was observed at close range along the road between Lagoa Azul and Neves, São Tomé; this appears to be the first for the country. Another first was recorded on 23 November 2004 when a Garden Warbler Sylvia borin was seen in plantation forest above Roca Agostinho Neto, São Tomé. Other records of interest from November 2004 included a Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea at Praia dos Conchas on 23rd and a Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia at Lembá River mouth the next day. Along the north coast several observations were made of Common Terns Sterna hirundo, including a small group of two adults and three immatures resting on a cliff at Lagoa Azul on 21st. In early 2005, two São Tomé Grosbeaks Neospiza concolor were mist-netted.

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A Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus was seen well in the garden of Bom Bom Island Resort, Príncipe, after a heavy thunderstorm on 21 September 2004. Also in September, a São Tomé Grosbeak  Neospiza concolor responded to playback by coming straight in, whistling loudly, in São Tomé's south-west corner.

Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus fuscus were sitting on a buoy in the Baia de Ana Chaves, São Tomé city, on 20 November 2003. A probable Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea arrived and departed with a ship on 23 November.

The first Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides for São Tomé was observed in January; this constitutes the second record for the archipelago, the first having been observed on Príncipe in January 1996. An Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia found at Santo Antonio, Príncipe on 7 April was the first for the islands. On São Tomé, a first year Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus remained at the Pinheira from 7 October until at least 10 November; it was joined by a second on 23 October. There is only one previous record for the island from November 1954 when 2 birds were also seen.

3 Harlequin Quails Coturnix delegorguei were flushed from the airstrip on Príncipe on 17 September; this appears to be the second record for the island following that of a single at the same location on 17 August 1997. The first Hoopoe Upupa epops for São Tomé was at the Pinheira on 15 and 16 October. A Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus was ringed near São Tomé airport in January; this is another addition to the São Tomé and Príncipe list.

A juvenile Grey Heron Ardea cinerea was seen on the mudflats at Santo Antonio, Príncipe on the 16th February; this species is considered a vagrant to the islands. In the forests above São Miguel, 4 pairs of São Tomé Short-tail Amaurocichla bocagei and 3 pairs of São Tomé Fiscal Lanius newtoni were seen (easily located by their loud, far-carrying piping calls). São Tomé Grosbeak Neospiza concolor was also found there and its strongly whistled call was recorded.

The following three species, observed in September and October 2002 appear to be new to the islands. 2 Bat Hawks Macheiramphus alcinus were seen flying over São Tomé town in late afternoon of 30 September. 6 Sanderling Calidris alba were videotaped on São Tomé beach on 1 October and a single at Santo Antonio, Príncipe on 5 October. A Lesser Striped Swalllow Hirundo abyssinica was observed at Roca Belo Monte, Príncipe on 6 October. There were also 2 Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochilus on 5 October and one the next day; the only published record for the islands is of a few individuals resting on a ferry between São Tomé and Príncipe in March 1992.

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Last page update 14th July 2008