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These are largely unconfirmed records published in recent Bulletins of the African Bird Club for information only.

Records from late December 2008 - June 2009 include the following. During pelagic trips south-west of Cape Point, a juvenile Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans was noted on 30 December and singles of Northern Royal Albatross D. (epomophora) sanfordi on 8 February and 21 June; these are unusual dates for these species to occur here. An immature Wandering Albatross was seen during a seawatch from Cape Point on 27 June. An adult Salvin’s Albatross Thallasarche (cauta) salvini was photographed in a feeding flock behind a trawler, c.80 nautical miles south of Cape Point, on 28 May. Two Light-mantled Albatrosses Phoebetria palpebrata were found ashore in Western Cape, one near Mossel Bay on 7 January and another at Struisbaai on 22 January; both were taken into care but died shortly afterwards. A pelagic trip out of Simon’s Town on 21 June recorded a Southern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides. Also in June, a sick Southern Fulmar, found on Clovelly beach, Western Cape, died before it could be taken into care. A pelagic trip out of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 13 June came across an unusually large group of 400–500 Flesh-footed Shearwaters Puffinus carneipes around a trawler. A seawatch from Cape Point on 17 May produced a Little Shearwater P. assimilis.

A heavily moulting, but apparently healthy King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus came ashore west of St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, on 13 February; this appears to be the sixth record for southern Africa. An adult Northern Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes c. chrysocome came ashore at Struisbaai, Western Cape, on 29 January; the bird was also in moult and apparently healthy. Two Macaroni Penguins E. chrysolophus were reported from Western Cape: the 13th for southern Africa was a healthy individual which stayed at Brandfontein, near Cape Agulhas, from 25 February to 5 March, whilst the 14th, found at Betty’s Bay on 16 March, was in poor health and was taken into care, where it made a dramatic recovery.

Red-tailed Tropicbirds Phaethon rubricauda were reported from Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, on 16 April, and near Port St Johns, on the Wild Coast, Eastern Cape, on 30 April. An adult White-tailed Tropicbird P. lepturus flew over Somerset West, Western Cape, on 1 January. An Australian Gannet Morus serrator was on Malgas Island, Western Cape, on 13 February, whilst a Red-footed Booby Sula sula was found dead at Swartvlei Beach, on the Garden Route, Western Cape, on 16 December. Greater Frigatebirds Fregata minor were observed at St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, on 12 March and along the beach near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 24–25 May. In June, a ten-day trip aboard a tuna longliner between Durban and Richards Bay, ranging 20–70 nautical miles offshore, produced a male Greater Frigatebird, a Red-footed Booby, a South Polar Skua Catharacta maccormicki and up to 50 Sooty Terns Sterna fuscata.

The Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula located at Mkhombo Dam, Gauteng, at the end of November 2008, remained there until at least 17 January; another was still present at Marievale Bird Sanctuary on 23 March. Single European Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus were reported throughout the country, from Western Cape (Ceres), Northern Cape (Kimberley, 10 January), KwaZulu-Natal (Mtubatuba, 28 December; Umhlatuze Valley Sugar Estate, near Richards Bay, 7 March; Port Edward Holiday Resort, 9 April), Limpopo (Modimolle, 25 December), North West Province (Kgomo-Kgomo, 10 April), Gauteng (Northern Farms, 10 January; Bryanston area, 1 February; Schurweberg, 28 February; Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve and over a residential garden, 1 March) and Kruger National Park (Pafuri, 12 April). In Gauteng, a Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus was still at Marievale Bird Sanctuary on 23 March, with another in the Kgomo-Kgomo area, north of Pretoria, on 8 February; one was also at Loch Athlone near Bethlehem, Free State, on 28 December, and one at Darvill Bird Sanctuary, KwaZulu-Natal, on 1 March.

Striped Crakes Aenigmatolimnas marginalis were reported from an ephemeral pool in Mapungubwe National Park, Limpopo, on 2 January (one), Kgomo-Kgomo floodplain, North West Province, on 29 March (one), and Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, from 6 March to at least 29 March (two adults and three chicks). A Crab Plover Dromas ardeola was observed at the Umgeni River mouth in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 21 December, with up to three at Richards Bay from 31 December until at least 10 January; at least two were still present on 20 March. Also in KwaZulu-Natal, a European Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus originally located in mid December in the St Lucia area was still present on 15 February; two were there with three African Black Oystercatchers H. moquini on 21–22 February. At least one European Oystercatcher was still present on 6 March. In Eastern Cape, an American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica was found at Seekoei on 5 January and what is assumed to be the same individual was seen at the Kromme River estuary on 22 January. Single Pacific Golden Plovers P. fulva were at Muzi Pan, KwaZulu-Natal, from 21 December until at least 6 January, and at Den Staat wetlands, Limpopo, on 3 January.

Southern Africa’s 14th Baird’s Sandpiper Calidris bairdii discovered at Wadrift Salt Pan, north of Eland’s Bay, Western Cape, on 16 December, was present until  1 February. Pectoral Sandpipers C. melanotos were found at Cape Recife, Eastern Cape, on 14 February, Sappi Stanger wetlands, KwaZulu-Natal, on 11–12 April, and Vaalkop Dam, North West Province, on 28 December. The Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus found at Geelbek in West Coast National Park, Western Cape, on 16 November, was still present on 8 January; it was erratic in its appearances but was found again on 21 March. Another Broad-billed Sandpiper was at De Mond Nature Reserve, Western Cape, on 10 January. Southern Africa’s fourth Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes was present at the Sappi Stanger wetlands, KwaZulu-Natal, from 24 December to 12 April. Single Green Sandpipers T. ochropus were reported from Northern Farms, Gauteng, on 5–25 January at least; Zaagkuildrift Road, north of Pretoria, on 15 February; Mkhombo Dam, Gauteng, on 13 April; Pafuri, Limpopo, on 17 January; and near Ngala Camp, Kruger National Park, on 29 January and 17 February. A Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus was found between Bredasdorp and Struisbaai, Western Cape, on 30 December. Red Phalaropes P. fulicarius were observed at Dyer Island, Western Cape, on 8 January (one), a large dam at the base of Sani Pass, KwaZulu-Natal, on 7 January (two), a farm dam near Richmond, KwaZulu-Natal, on 17–20 January (one), and near Shingwedzi, Limpopo, on 14 January (one).

At least three Franklin’s Gulls Larus pipixcan were seen in Western Cape: one in winter plumage along the Liesbeek River, near Observatory, on 13 January, another at Port Owen, near Velddrif, on 17–19 May and a third near Seal Island in False Bay, on 13–18 May at least. One in full breeding plumage was discovered at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 22 April and another at Orient Beach in East London, Eastern Cape, on 13 May; the latter was still in the area on 7 June. A Common Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus was at the Mfolozi River mouth, KwaZulu-Natal, on 13 February. An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull L. fuscus remained at Orient Beach in East London, Eastern Cape, from 1 April until at least late June. An immature was present in May–June, with another immature also there in June. A Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini was at Borchard’s Quarry Sewage Works, Western Cape, on 27 February. In Eastern Cape, several Antarctic Terns Sterna vittata were seen in mid June, with two adults and a juvenile at Nahoon Reef and a further four individuals near Gonubie Point; this is quite some way further east than where these birds are normally recorded on South Africa’s shores. A single Roseate Tern S. dougallii at Orient Beach on 25 June was also a rather interesting find for the area. On 3 May, the regularly returning Bridled Tern S. anaethetus was relocated at Cape Recife, near Port Elizabeth, for its eighth season; after an absence it was seen again on 13 June. A visit to Bird Island in Algoa Bay, on 9–11 June, produced a Sooty Tern. A Brown (Common) Noddy Anous stolidus was reported near the mouth of the Breede River, Western Cape, on 1–2 March.

At Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, a probable European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur was seen on 15 January; however, it was not possible to eliminate the possibility that the bird was an Oriental Turtle Dove S. orientalis or an escape. A surprise find was a juvenile Narina Trogon Apaloderma narina in Acacia thicket along the Kat River, c.20 km north-west of Prince Albert, Western Cape, in the middle of the Karoo, on 23 May; although this species is regular along the coastal strip of the Garden Route, this sighting is more than 100 km due north. A Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava at Strandfontein Sewage Works, Western Cape, on 8 February, was still present on 4 March. The second Citrine Wagtail M. citreola for southern Africa stayed at Kleinmond Sewage Works, Western Cape, on 11–12 April; the first record is from May 1998 near Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. A Grey Wagtail M. cinerea was present at the crocodile farm in St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal, on 5 January. South Africa’s eighth Golden Pipit Tmetothylacus tenellus was found in Mkhuze Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, on 28 December. A Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis was seen at Coniston farm, Limpopo, along a seasonal tributary of the Sand River, on 10 February. On 14 February, a Marsh Warbler A. palustris was identified in coastal thicket near Cape Recife, Eastern Cape. In the Northern Cape, an Olive-tree Warbler Hippolias olivetorum was trapped and ringed at Witsand Nature Reserve on 28 January. A Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis was claimed from Blackstone Edge farm, Limpopo, on 11 February. An immature Bush Blackcap Lioptilus nigricapillus in a Heidelberg garden, south-east of Johannesburg, Gauteng, in June represents either unusually extensive altitudinal migration or juvenile dispersal.

Records from May - December 2008 include the following. Albatrosses observed during pelagic trips out of Simonstown, Western Cape, in July - September included several Southern Royal Albatrosses Diomedea (e.) epomophora, several
Northern Royal Albatrosses D. (e.) sanfordi and at least three Grey-headed
Albatrosses Thalassarche chysostoma. Also noteworthy were a possible Slender-billed Prion Pachyptila belcheri on 27 July, a Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis of the race elegans in early August and, also in early August, unseasonal records of
Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus, Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus and Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea.

A Grey Petrel Procellaria cinerea was photographed at the Agulhas Banks between 80 and 140 nautical miles offshore on 23 September. A Little Shearwater of the white-faced nominate race assimilis was seen on 8 October and a Spectacled Petrel Procellaria (aequinoctialis) conspicillata in mid October. A trip aboard a tuna longliner working 40 - 90 nautical miles south-west of Cape Point in mid October produced at least 20 (possibly up to 32) Wandering Albatrosses Diomedea exulans, eight Northern Royal Albatrosses and three Southern Royal Albatrosses.

Southern Africa’s fourth Chatham Albatross Thalassarche (cauta) eremita was spotted c.30 nautical miles south-west of Cape Point, Western Cape, on 28 June. An adult Buller’s Albatross T. bulleri 25 nautical miles south-west of Cape Point on 15 November constitutes the fourth record for the southern African subregion and the African continent. A pelagic trip out of Simonstown on 8 November produced an adult Wandering Albatross, which is quite late in the season for this species, as well as a single Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus caneipes, another rather uncommon species here. Two pelagic trips between Cape Town and Walvis Bay in late November and early December yielded several Madeiran Storm Petrels Oceanodroma castro - an addition to the southern African list - and Bulwer’s Petrels Bulweria bulwerii, an extremely rare species in southern African waters, as well as a White-bellied Storm Petrel Fregetta grallaria and several flocks of Sooty Terns Sterna fuscata.

A young Wandering Albatross was watched from shore at Cape Point, Western Cape, on 2 October; this species is very rarely seen from land. During a pelagic trip out of Durban no fewer than 14 Barau’s Petrels Pterodroma baraui were seen 20 - 80 nautical miles offshore on 10 October.

The second Northern Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes chrysocome for 2008 came ashore on Noordhoek Beach, Cape Town, Western Cape, on 17 July; the bird
was taken to a rehabilitation centre, where it was found to be in arrested moult but healthy. Southern Africa’s sixth Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus was at
Rondevlei, in Wilderness National Park, Western Cape, on 21 September. At St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, a Greater Frigatebird Fregata minor first seen on 14  November was still in the area on 10 December. A Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus on Bird Island in Algoa Bay, Port Elisabeth, Eastern Cape, on 18
November is probably the same individual that has been returning to the site every season since at least 2005. Also there on the same date was an Australian Gannet Morus serrator; there has been a regular Australian Gannet on the island for the past few years. Two unringed Australian Gannets were discovered on Malgas Island, near Saldanha Bay, Western Cape, on 6 November; all previous
individuals there have been ringed. There was a Red-footed Booby Sula sula on a pelagic trip from Durban in early July and c.1 month later another was seen at Cape Vidal, KwaZulu-Natal.

A Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris was calling at Ntsikeni Nature Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, from at least 2 September and was seen on 13 September and again in early December. The alleged second Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea for the
subregion was relocated on the Olifants River at Papendorp, Western Cape, in early August after an absence of 247 days; it was first seen here on 10 November 2001. Slaty Egrets E. vinaceigula were reported from Marievale Bird Sanctuary, near Nigel, Gauteng, on 30 August, from Mkhombo Dam, Gauteng, on 30 November (still present on 7 December) and from Nyamithi Pan, Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, from 24 October until at least 30 November.

In Kruger National Park, a juvenile Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus was at a waterhole between Skukuza and Talamati on 12 October. The Rüppell’s Griffon
Vulture Gyps rueppellii that has been resident in the colony of Cape Vultures G. coprotheres at Blouberg Nature Reserve, Limpopo, for the last few years was still present in September and is apparently breeding with one of the Cape Vultures.
Western Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus were reported from Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, on 10 August and 9 November; there was also one between Shingwedzi and Pafuri in Kruger National Park in November.

Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus were recorded at the Gamtoos River mouth, near Port Elisabeth, on 22 June, at Yzerfontein, Western Cape, from 5 December until 11 December, at the Umfolozi River mouth, KwaZulu-Natal, on 12 November, and at St Lucia on 10 December. In West Coast National Park, Western Cape, a Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus was seen on 11 - 17 September and 18 October - 16 November. A Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva was at Muzi Pan, KwaZulu-Natal, in late October. The 14th southern African Baird’s
Sandpiper Calidris bairdii, discovered at Wadrift Salt Pan, north of Eland’s Bay, Western Cape, on 16 December, was still present on 30 December. A Pectoral Sandpiper C. melanotos was reported near Derby, south-west of Rustenburg, North West Province, in early December. The third Dunlin C. alpina for southern Africa was at Geelbek in West Coast National Park, Western Cape, on 21 September. Also there was a Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus, from 16
November until at least 27 December. Five Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa at Spitskop Dam, near Kimberley, Northern Cape, were still present on 30 November; one was briefly at Rocher Pan, north of Velddrif, Western Cape, in late November. Common Redshanks Tringa totanus were in the Western Cape at Geelbek, West Coast National Park, on 10 May and from 17 September until at least 31 November; one was also on the Berg River at Velddrif on 7 November. The fourth Lesser Yellowlegs T. flavipes for South Africa was at Sappi Stanger Wetlands, KwaZulu-Natal for three days from 24 December. Green Sandpipers T. ochropus were reported from the Zaagkuildrift area and Rust de Winter Nature Reserve, Gauteng, in late November and 7 December; from Kruger National Park,  Polokwane Game Reserve, and the Crocodile River west of Koedoesdorp, Limpopo, in early December; from the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, in mid-November; and from Northern District Sewage Works, KwaZulu-Natal, on 15 December. A Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius was at Lake Phobane, near Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, on 4 October.

A Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan, found at Centurion Lake, Gauteng, on 13 August and last seen on 7 September, is the second inland record. A Common Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus stayed at Paarl Bird Sanctuary, Western Cape, on 18 - 20 October. A Lesser Black-backed Gull L. fuscus first seen on 23 August at Leeupan, near Leandra, Mpumalanga, was last reported on 30 August; another was in a roost of Kelp Gulls L. dominicanus at the Umgeni River mouth, KwaZulu- Natal, on 9 November. On 17 May, southern Africa’s 28th Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica was observed at De Mond Nature Reserve, Western Cape. On 2 November, a juvenile Sooty Tern, initially at Vetch’s Pier in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, was seen again (presumably the same individual) five hours later and c.50 km
further north at Salt Rock; another was at Eland’s Bay, Western Cape, on 20 December.

Madagascar Cuckoos Cuculus rochii were reported from Kruger National Park on 31 October and 16 December. Five White-throated Bee-eaters Merops albicollis were briefly at Winston Park, Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, on 12 October; there are only nine previous records in the subregion. A Eurasian Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus scirpaceus was mist-netted and ringed at Boschenvaal, along the Vaal River, c.10 km west of Dasolburg, Free State, on 18 November.

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The following records are from November 2007 - April 2008. The most remarkable sighting of the period was probably that of a Rockhopper Penguin Eudyptes chrysocome photographed along the coast near Llandudno, off Cape Town, on
2 February. A Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea (epomophora) sanfordi was observed south-west of Danger Point, Western Cape, during a pelagic on 17 April. A Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda was at Wemmershoek Dam, near Paarl, Western Cape, on 19 November and one remained in St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, from 4 March until at least 26 April. Single White-tailed Tropicbirds P. lepturus were seen off Sodwana Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 15 November and flying over Modderfontein, Gauteng, on 6 April. An Australian Gannet Morus
serrator was found amongst Cape Gannets M. capensis on Bird Island, Algoa Bay, Western Cape, on 11 March, with a second one there the next day. A Red-footed Booby Sula sula was spotted on a cruise out of Durban on 2 January. Single
Lesser Frigatebirds Fregata ariel were reported from the Illovo River mouth, near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 6 March and the Berg River mouth, near Velddrif, Western Cape, on 14 April.

The long-staying Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea was still at Papendorp, Western Cape, on 24 November. Slaty Egrets E. vinaceigula were recorded at Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, on 3 January; at Nylsvley, Limpopo, on 12 January; at Kgomo-Kgomo, North West Province, on 2 February; at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, where still present on 1 March; and at Germiston Golf Course, Gauteng, on 8 - 28 April (two). Western Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus were reported from Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, in November (one), January (up to two); and on 13 April (one).

In KwaZulu-Natal, the Crab-plover Dromas ardeola first seen in Richards Bay on 8 December was still there on 17th; one was reported on 28 January and subsequently well into February; one found at Catalina Bay on 23 January was last reported on 12 April. A Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus was seen at St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, on 22 November. An American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica was at Gamtoos River mouth, Eastern Cape, on 25 March and a Pacific Golden Plover P. fulva at Muzi Pan, KwaZulu-Natal, on 25 January; a group of at least four was subsequently recorded, at least some of which remained until the end of February, with one still present on 20 March. Pectoral Sandpipers Calidris melanotos were found on a pan at Rooipoort, near Kimberley, on 25 January (two);
at Rooikoppies Dam, near Brits, North West Province, from 21 February until 15 March (one); in East London, Eastern Cape, from 5 April until 11 April at least (two). A Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus was at Geelbek, West Coast National Park, Western Cape, on 12 January. Southern Africa’s ninth Buff-breasted
Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis discovered at Krugersdrift Dam, near Bloemfontein, Free State, on 19 February was still there at the end of the month.
Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa were reported from West Coast National Park, Western Cape, on 20 November (one) and 15 December (one), and from
Spitskop Dam, north of Kimberley, Northern Cape, on 25 November (four) and 10 February (at least 13), with at least ten still there on 22 March. A Common Redshank Tringa totanus first reported on 29 October at Strandfontain sewage works, Western Cape, remained there until 13 November at least. Green Sandpipers T. ochropus were seen in the Kgomo-Kgomo area, North West Province, from 5 November until 23 November (one) and from 13 January until at least 7 February (up to two), and singles were also at Pafuri, Kruger National
Park, on 16 December, 3 January and 22 March. Three Red-necked Phalaropes
Phalaropus lobatus were at Velddrif, Western Cape, on 16 February. Red Phalaropes P. fulicarius were reported from a farm dam near Ventersdorp, North West Province, on 27 January (one), a pelagic out of Cape Town on 15 - 16
February (two) and a farm dam in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on 3 March (one). In the Western Cape, single Franklin’s Gulls Larus pipixcan were observed at
Strandfontein sewage works on 1 January, Nature’s Valley on 17 January, Rooiels, in the Overstrand, on 1 April (one in breeding plumage) and off Danger Point on 16 April. A Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica was at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 24 November.

For the fourth consecutive season a Madagascar Cuckoo Cuculus rochii was found at Phinda Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, on 23 November. A Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea first seen at Debegeni Falls in Magoebaskloof, Limpopo, on 2
February was still present on 2 March. A Golden Pipit Tmetothylacus tenellus was photographed on 20 December 2007 at Pafuri in the Kruger National Park. Southern Africa’s ninth Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis was claimed
from Mapungubwe National Park, Limpopo, on 19 February, whilst a male Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis was identified at Phinda Game Reserve, KwaZulu- Natal, on 2 February.

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The following records are from May–December 2007. On pelagic trips out of Cape Town the following species were recorded. Single Wandering Albatrosses Diomedea exulans were seen on 15 and 22 September, and single Northern Royal Albatrosses D. (epomophora) sanfordi on 21 July and 2 and 8 September. A Southern (Antarctic) Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides was observed on 8 September. In September, large numbers of up to 5,000 Pintado Petrels Daption capense were found. A Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera was seen on 2 September, whilst 8 Soft-plumaged Petrels P. mollis were observed on 2 September, 2 on 15 September and one on 22 September. A Slender-billed Prion Pachyptila belcheri was reported on 23 June (with a possible sighting on a pelagic out of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 19 August). Spectacled Petrels Procellaria (aequinoctialis) conspicillata were seen on 17 September (one) and 13 October (two). The first Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea of the season was seen on 13 October and a few early Great Shearwaters Puffinus gravis on 2 September. A Little Shearwater P. assimilis was found c.60 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay on 3 June. Southern Africa’s sixth White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina was observed on 11 May, with another on a pelagic out of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 23 June. An early Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus was seen on 17 September and two very early Sabine’s Gulls Xema sabini in summer plumage on 8 September.

A Northern Royal Albatross was seen off Cape Point on 12 May and a Grey-headed Albatross Thalassarche chrysostoma at Dyer Island, Western Cape, on 16 May. On 4 October, a King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus came ashore at Milnerton Beach, Western Cape, and, although in pristine condition, was picked up by a member of the public and taken into care; this was the second record of this extreme vagrant on the South African shoreline in 2007. A Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda was at St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, on 3 May and another flew over Wemmershoek Dam, near Paarl, Western Cape, in early December. The long-staying Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea was still present at Papendorp on the Olifants River, Western Cape, in November; the bird has been there since November 2001. A European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus was photographed in a garden in Sandton, Gauteng, on 13 November. In Kruger National Park, a Striped Crake Aenigmatolimnas marginalis was found along the Levhuvu River, near Pafuri, on 17 December.

A Crab-plover Dromas ardeola was in the sanctuary area at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 8 December. A Common Redshank Tringa totanus was still at Geelbek, West Coast National Park, Western Cape, on 10 June and 21 July. Two were seen at this site on 24 and 28 October and one on 11 November, whilst another was reported from Strandfontein sewage works, Western Cape, on 29 October. In Limpopo Province, single Green Sandpipers Tringa ochropus were observed at Polokwane Game Reserve on 23 November and at Mopane Bush Lodge, Mapesu Naature Reserve, on 4 December. A Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus was found at Strandfontein on 14 October. Wilson’s Phalaropes Phalaropus tricolor were found at Barberspan Nature Reserve, North-West Province, on 1 May (a first-year) and at the Dolphin Beach pans in Table view, west of Cape Town, on 20–23 May (a female in full breeding plumage). Up to three Red-necked Phalaropes P. lobatus were reported at Velddrif, Western Cape, in early December.

Records of Franklin’s Gulls Larus pipixcan included one in full breeding plumage at Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Western Cape, on 6 May; one, perhaps the same individual, at Seal’s Point, False Bay, Western Cape, on 18 May; one at King’s Beach, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on 28 May; one at Warner Beach near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 19 June; and one at Jacobsbaai, north of Saldanha Bay, Western Cape, on 4–15 August. During the midwinter count at Botriviervlei, Western Cape, on 14 July a Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus was seen. The Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus at Cape Recife, Eastern Cape, was still present on 11 May and remained until 24 June. There was a group of six Sooty Terns S. fuscata on a pelagic from Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 22 July.

A Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea was discovered near Mission Beach, at St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, at 29 May. A female Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis first reported at Augrabies Falls National Park,Northern Cape, on 30 April, was photographed the next day.

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The following records are from November 2006 - April 2007. On a pelagic out of Cape Town, Africa’s first Grey-backed Storm-petrel Oceanites nereis was photographed on 14 April. Another Cape pelagic on 24 February yielded a Northern Royal Albatross Diomedea (epomophora) sanfordi and a Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus. Seabirds seen during a two-week trip 140 - 160 nautical miles south of Cape Agulhas in early February included five Wandering Albatrosses D. exulans, a Northern Royal Albatross, two Sooty Albatrosses Phoebetria fusca, a Grey Petrel Procellaria cinerea, and several Leach’s Oceanodroma leucorhoa and White-bellied Storm-petrels Fregetta grallaria.

The Wedge-tailed Shearwater which has visited Bird Island, Algoa Bay, Eastern Cape, over several seasons was seen again on 17 November. Two vagrant penguins were recorded, both near St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape: a moulting King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus came ashore on 22 January and a subadult Macaroni Penguin Eudyptes chrysolophus, also about to moult, on 21 February; both were taken to a rehabilitation centre. It is most likely that they were taken aboard ships and then dumped before docking. A Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda flew over Aston Bay, Eastern Cape, on 2 December; another, first reported on 11 April from St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, was seen intermittently for the rest of the month. An unringed Australian Gannet Morus serrator was on Bird Island in Algoa Bay, Eastern Cape, on 17 November; as all previous individuals at the site have been ringed, this was assumed to be a new arrival; another was noted on 19 March. A Greater Frigatebird Fregata minor was soaring over the Umlazi River, near Mtunzini, KwaZulu-Natal, on 10 February.

Single Slaty Egrets Egretta vinaceigula were reported from Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, on 2 December, and Zaagkuildrift, Limpopo Province, on 18 February. Southern Africa’s third Little Blue Heron E. caerulea, discovered near Papendorp, near the mouth of the Olifants River, Western Cape, on 10 November 2001, was still present in March. Noteworthy raptors include a Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus at Seekoevlei, Memel, Free State, on 12 November, with another near St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, on 10 December, and an adult Sooty Falcon Falco concolor at Madikwe Game Reserve, North-West Province, on 5 December.

In the Western Cape, single Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus were seen near De Hoop Nature Reserve on 30 November and near Hermanus on 10 January. A Rock Pratincole Glareola nuchalis was discovered at Albasini Dam, Limpopo Province, on 4 November, where it remained until at least 6th; there are few records for South Africa. The Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva at De Mond Nature Reserve, Western Cape, on 28 October remained until at least 4 January; others were reported from Geelbek, West Coast National Park, Western Cape, on 18 February, St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, on 8-10 March at least, near Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on 17-21 March at least. A White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis at Velddrif, Western Cape, on 12 November was the 15th record for South Africa; another two were at Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on 18 January and still present on 16 March. Pectoral Sandpipers C. melanotos were at De Mond Nature Reserve, Western Cape, on 3 November; at Stanger, north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 16 November; near Mossel Bay, Western Cape, on 25 November; near Bazley Beach, KwaZulu-Natal, on 19 December; at Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on 18 January (two); north of Polokwane, Limpopo, on 4-11 February; and at Pafuri, Kruger National Park, on 14 February. Five Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa were near Jan Kempdorp, Northern Cape, on 21 February and three at Velddrif, Western Cape, on 4 April. Common Redshanks Tringa totanus were at Velddrif on 8 December and 17 January (two; Lake Sibaya, KwaZulu-Natal, on 4 January; West Coast National Park, Western Cape, from 9 January until 25 February and from 24 March until at least 8 April. Green Sandpipers T. ochropus were observed at different localities in Kruger National Park on 26 November, 10 December, 4 January, 6 January and 28 January. Five Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus at Velddrif, Western Cape, on 13 November were still present on 17 December, with at least four there on 19 January; one was at Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on 28 January. Two Red Phalaropes P. fulicarius were seen on a Cape pelagic trip on 27 January; singles were at Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga, on 15 February, Ruigtehoek dam in Pilanesberg National Park, North-West Province, on 18 February, and Kamfers Dam, Kimberley, Northern Cape, on 16 March.

A Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan was at Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on 17 January; one was at Strandfontein sewage works, Western Cape, on 14 February and 20 March. Common Black-headed Gulls L. ridibundus were reported from the Port Elizabeth area, Eastern Cape, on 6 November (from late September; Hermanus, Western Cape, on 19 November (two); Barberspan, North-West Province, on 20 November, Mossel Bay, Western Cape, on 21 November; Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 23-26 November; and Roodeplaat Dam Nature Reserve, Gauteng, on 22 April. A Lesser Black-backed Gull L. fuscus was near Nottingham Road, KwaZulu-Natal, on 15 January. A Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus was in a tern roost on Dassen Island, Western Cape, on 8 January, whilst the individual from Cape Recife returned for its seventh season on 7 March. A Sooty Tern S. fuscata was at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 23 November. Also in KwaZulu-Natal, at Cape Vidal, a young Brown Noddy Anous stolidus was observed on 24 February.

The presence of a Madagascar Cuckoo Cuculus rochii at Phinda, KwaZulu-Natal, was confirmed on 28 January. A female Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis was identified at Augrabies Falls National Park, Northern Cape, on 30 April.

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The following records are from January - November 2006.

On pelagic trips out of Cape Town the following interesting albatrosses were seen: Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans on 21 May, 23 July and 5 August; Southern Royal Albatross D. (epomophora) epomophora, singles on 1 and 16 September; Northern Royal Albatross D. (e.) sanfordi between 13 and 16 April; singles on 21 May, 8 and 29 July, 5 August, 16 September and 15 October, with one over the Agulhas Banks on 9 May; Salvin’s Albatross Thalassarche (cauta) salvini on 2 September (one), with a few probables in September - October and one off the west coast in late May; Chatham Albatross T. (cauta) eremita on 10 July, the third record for southern Africa; Grey-headed Albatross T. chrysostoma on 10 July and 5, 6 and 21 August. Other seabirds included Flesh-footed Shearwater Puffinus carneipes on 14 February, 11 March and 14 and 21 October, and a South Polar Skua Catharacta maccormicki on 8 July.

A White-headed Petrel Pterodroma lessonii was observed over the Agulhas Banks on 9 May; this is a very rare species in southern African waters, with only a few confirmed sightings. A Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis was spotted from Cape Point on 12 August. A Red-footed Booby Sula sula was found dead in Durban Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 26 April and one was seen c.35 nautical miles off Durban on 2 July. Two Brown Boobies S. leucogaster were offshore of Gariep (Orange) River mouth, Northern Cape, on 2 July, and one was near Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, on 22 July. Also in KwaZulu-Natal, single Greater Frigatebirds Fregata minor were seen at Richards Bay on 5 January and at Kosi Bay on 11 January. A Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda was at Plettenberg Bay Lagoon, Western Cape, on 8 July.

Two Slaty Egrets Egretta vinaceigula were present at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, from 2 January until at least late February; an immature found near Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape, on 17 September, was still there a week later. South Africa’s long-staying Little Blue Heron E. caerulea was still present at the Olifants River mouth at Papendorp, Western Cape, in September. The second Western Reef Heron E. gularis for southern Africa stayed at the Rondebult Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, from 15 April until at least the end of the month; it was of the eastern race schistacea, whereas the first record, from Cape Town, was of the nominate race.

A juvenile Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus was observed in the Magaliesberg, Gauteng, on 22 January and an adult near Idutywa in the Transkei on 4 February; the latter record suggests the presence of a relict population there. Western Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus were reported from Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, from 2 January until late February, with one still there on 1 March; from Krugerdrift Dam near Bloemfontein, Free State, on 3–8 January; from Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga, on 29 January and 8 March; and from Zeekoeivlei, Memel, Free State, on 19 November.

Sandpipers T. ochropus were at Darvill Bird Sanctuary, KwaZulu-Natal, on 7 January; one was at Maloto, Gauteng, on 11 - 16 January; one at Sunninghill, Gauteng, on 12 January; one at Wolfhuiskraal, north of Pretoria, on 15 January; and one at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, on 30 March. Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus records include one still present at Stiltbaai sewage works, Western Cape, on 3 January and last seen there on 21st; seven at Velddrif, Western Cape, on 9 January, with one there on 21 October; one at Strandfontein on 8 February, still present at the end of April; one in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on 16 February; five at Velddrif on 13 November, with two still there on 19th. Single Red Phalaropes P. fulicarius were at Spitskop Dam, north of Kimberley, on 31 January, at Darvill Bird Sanctuary, KwaZulu-Natal, on 1 February and at Kgaswane Mountain Reserve, North West Province, on 26 February.

Five or six Franklin’s Gulls Larus pipixcan were found: one at Strandfontein sewage works, Western Cape, on 14 January, subsequently assumed to be two birds, with one last reported on 24 April; one at Lambert’s Bay, Western Cape, on 29 January; one along the Liesbeek River in Mowbray, Cape Town, on 21 March; one at Mseni Lodge in Sodwana, KwaZulu-Natal, on 18 - 19 May; and one at Umdloti Lagoon, Durban, on 5 - 13 July. Records of Common Black-headed Gulls L. ridibundus include one at Durban Bay on 5 January and 14 October, one at the Umgeni River mouth, Durban, on 11 May, one at Welkom, Free State, on 22 August, one at Lambert’s Bay, Western Cape, on 10 September, one in the Port Elizabeth area, Eastern Cape, on 28 September, and two off Hermanus, Western Cape, on 20 November. A Lesser Black-backed Gull L. fuscus was seen at Oranjeville on the Vaal Dam on 20 March. A Heuglin’s Gull L. heuglini in Durban harbour on 30 June and present until at least 29 July may well be the 2005 individual.

The record of a Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica in West Coast National Park, Western Cape, on 21 January is apparently the 23rd for Southern Africa; another was found at Kromme River mouth, St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, on 20 September, where it remained until at least 26th. An exhausted Sooty Tern S. fuscata was found beside a road in Kruger National Park on 5 January and another at Mtunzini, KwaZulu-Natal, on 4 October. A Bridled Tern S. anaethetus was observed at Lambert’s Bay, Western Cape, on 17 January and another at Sundays River mouth, Eastern Cape, on 2 February. The regularly returning individual at Cape Recife, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, was back on 25 March; it was seen again on 4 June and remained until at least 4 July. Africa’s first Elegant Tern S. elegans was discovered at Strandfontein sewage works, Western Cape, on 18 January and last seen on 18 February. Towards the end of its stay, a second bird presumed to be another Elegant Tern was found.

At Phinda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, a Madagascar Cuckoo Cuculus rochii stayed from 5 February until at least 15th; what was assumed to be the same bird returned in early November. Southern Africa’s eighth White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis was discovered in the East London area, Eastern Cape, on 25 September. Grey Wagtails Motacilla cinerea were found at Hogsback, Eastern Cape, on 21 January, at Constantia, Cape Town, on 20 May and at Strandfontein, Western Cape, on 16 September. A male Irania Irania gutturalis photographed near Williston, Northern Cape, on 15 July, was the first for South Africa and the first record south of the species’ East African wintering grounds; despite intensive searching the bird could not be relocated in the next few days.

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Last page update 6th April 2010