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

Records from October-December 2005 not contained in previous Recent Reports include the following. A Blue Petrel Halobaena caerulea and the third Buller's Albatross Thalassarche bulleri for southern African waters were recorded 180 nautical miles south of Cape Agulhas in mid-October. On pelagic trips out of Cape Town, Wandering Albatrosses Diomedea exulans were seen on 30 October, 5 and 15 November, with a Grey Petrel Procellaria cinerea and two Red (Grey) Phalaropes Phalaropus fulicarius on 5 November. On 14 November, a Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda was at Bird Island in Algoa Bay, Eastern Cape, where two Australian Gannets Sula serrator and a Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus were still present. Another Red-tailed Tropicbird flew over Knysna lagoon, Western Cape, on 19 December. A Slaty Egret  Egretta vinaceigula was reported from Ndumo Game Reseve, KwaZulu-Natal, on 26 November; it was still present on 19 December.

European Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus were reported from many localities all over the country: Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 24 October, near Entabeni, Limpopo Province, 24 November-10 December, Ndumo Game Reseve, KwaZulu-Natal, 28 November, Biesbokfontein, 27 November, Hluhluwe Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, 29 November, Trichardtpoort, 1 December, Delta Park, Johannesburg, 4 December, Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, 6-15 December, Contantia Green Belt, Cape Town, 10 December, Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Gauteng, 10 December and Cathedral Peak, KwaZulu-Natal, 14 December. Eurasian Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus were seen at Seekoeivlei in Memel, Free State, on 15 November, at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, on 29 November (a male, later joined by a female and both remaining well into December), and at Ntsikeni Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape, on 10-17 December.

A Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos was found at St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, on 29 November. Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa stayed at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, from 26 November to 10 December, and West Coast National Park, Western Cape, on 20 December. Single Common Redshanks Tringa totanus were reported from Groblersdal, Mpumalanga, on 30 October, West Coast National Park on 18 November, and Velddrif, Western Cape, on 23 November. Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus were at Rocher Pan, Western Cape,  on 23 November, Nkaya Pan in Kruger National Park on 1 December and Still Bay Bird Sanctuary, Western Cape, on 9-15 December. A Red Phalarope Ph. fulicarius occurred at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, on 7-8 December.

The long-staying Yellow-billed (Greater) Sheathbill Chionis alba remained in Cape Town harbour until at least 12 December. The regular Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus at Driftsands Reclamation Works in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, was back on 11 November and remained until at least 22 November; one in breeding plumage was seen in Durban Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 15 December. The long-staying Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica at Kromme Rivier estuary, St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, was still present on 27 October (from 3 September); another was found at Redhouse Salt Pans, Port Elizabeth, on 17 November.

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Records from April-December 2005 include the following. On pelagic trips out of Cape Town, at least 27 Wandering Albatrosses Diomedea exulans were recorded in August-November, ten Southern Royal Albatrosses D. (e.) epomophora between 30 July and 10 September, and 13 Northern Royal Albatrosses D. (e.) sanfordi between 28 May and early October. A juvenile Grey-headed Albatross D. chrysostoma was seen c.60 nautical miles west-northwest of Cape Columbine, Western Cape, on 3-4 August, and an adult off Cape Point in mid September. The Light-mantled Sooty Albatross Phoebetria palpebrata picked up in Mozambique in late June was taken out to sea and released off Cape Town when it had recovered. A very late Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera was observed on 11 June. Single Spectacled Petrels Procellaria (aequinoctialis) conspicillata were seen in mid September (two), in early October and on 27 December. A Grey Petrel P. cinerea was found on 3 September and 5 November; this species is very rare in southern Africa. An unexpected Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea was seen on 17 June. A Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus on 21 December was the first for quite some time. A Little Shearwater P. assimilis was found rather close to shore on 7 May and another in mid September. Single Grey Phalaropes Phalaropus fulicarius were spotted in early October and on 3 November.

A King Penguin Aptenodytes patagonicus found at Camps Bay beach, outside Cape Town, on 11 August, was taken into care but died the next day; there are few records of this species from southern Africa. A White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus reportedly flew over Plettenberg Bay, Eastern Cape, on 7 October. An Australian Gannet Sula serrator, discovered in the Cape Gannet S. capensis colony on Bird Island, Western Cape, on 7 August, was present until at least 11 September. A female Greater Frigatebird Fregata minor was at Pennington Beach, on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, on 14 July.

The two Slaty Egrets Egretta vinaceigula first reported from Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, on 23 January, were still present on 15 May, with one still there on 1 September and up to three were at this site on 9 October. Another was at Grootvaly Wetland Reserve, Gauteng, on 26 July and remained until at least 21 August. One was at Ndumo Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, on 21 October. Southern Africa’s third Little Blue Heron E. caerulea was still at the River Olifants estuary, north of Lambert’s Bay, Western Cape, on 5 September; this bird has now been present in this area four years. During a pelagic trip out of Simonstown on 22 October, a flock of at least 150 White Storks Ciconia ciconia was seen c.45 km south of Cape Point. A European Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus flew over Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, on 8 September; probably the same bird was also seen on 12th. Another flew over Wierda Park, Gauteng, on 14 October. An adult Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus was with a group of Cape Vultures Gyps coprotheres attending a carcass alongside the road to Coffee Bay in the Transkei on 1 November. A Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture Gyps rueppellii was seen at Crook’s Corner near Pafuri, in the north of Kruger National Park, on 13 August; the long-staying bird at the Cape Vulture colony in Blouberg Nature Reserve was still present on 24 September. A Striped Crake Aenigmatolimnas marginalis was reported from the Lake Panic bird hide near Skukuza, Kruger National Park, on 2 July. An American Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica was seen wandering along the N3 just outside Johannesburg on 3 May.

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The regularly returning Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus at Elands Bay, Western Cape, was again present on 6 September; another was at St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, on 10 September, two were at the Umfolozi River mouth, KwaZulu-Natal, on 13 September, and three on the beach at Cape Point, Western Cape, on 6 November. Southern Africa’s 13th White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis was found at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, on 17 September; it was still present on 13 October. A Pectoral Sandpiper C. melanotos was at Twee Rivieren in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, on 18 August, and one was at Vaalkop Dam on 1 October. The two Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa found at De Plaat on the Berg Rivier, Western Cape, on 22 March remained until the end of August at least, with one still there on 16 October. Three were seen near Welkom, Free State, on 20 May, with one there on 1 October. A flock of 28 at Spitskop Dam, near Kimberley, Northern Cape, on 11 August is an interesting record, both for the number of birds and for the date. One was at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, on 8 October. A Common Redshank Tringa totanus was at Malandeni, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, on 20 August and another at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, from 24 September until at least 19 October. In Western Cape, a Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus was at Still Bay Bird Sanctuary from 9 December until at least 13th, and eight were at their usual site at Velddrift on 28 December.

A Yellow-billed Sheathbill Chionis alba was in Cape Town harbour on 24 June, with a second individual there three days later; both remained until at least 1 July and one was still present on 13 September, with the other being relocated at Kommetjie on 13 August, where it was last seen the next day. Records of Franklin’s Gull Larus pipixcan include one at the Umgeni River mouth, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 6 June, one just offshore Dyer Island, near Gansbaai, Western Cape, on 21 June, one in full breeding plumage at Lambert’s Bay, Western Cape, on 2 August and still present on 6 September, and one at St Helena Bay, Western Cape, on 13 September. A Common Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus was at Durban Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 27 April and one in breeding plumage on 19 October. One returned to Driftsands Reclamation Works in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on 11 November; this bird has now spent the past few seasons there. A Heuglin’s Gull L. (fuscus) heuglini, first located in Durban Bay, KwaZulu-Natal on 26 April, remained in the area until at least 28 May.

The long-staying Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica at Kromme Rivier estuary, St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, first reported on 25 February, remained there until 29 May at least. Perhaps the same individual was reported at Cape Recife, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on 3 September. A Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis was claimed from Tsitsikamma lagoon, Eastern Cape, on 29 October. The Bridled Tern S. anaethetus that returned for its fifth successive year to Cape Recife, Port Elisabeth, Eastern Cape, on 27 May, was last reported on 20 August. An African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris was still present at Roodekoppies Dam, Gauteng, on 17 July.

On 16 December, a Garden Warbler Sylvia borin was mist-netted at Tygerberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape. The first Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus for southern Africa was photographed in Kalahari Gemsbok National Park / Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape, on 15 July. Although this species is known to wander widely, the only previous record south of the Sahara of this Palearctic species is of one seen in southern Ethiopia on 23 March 2005 and the possibility of an escape needs to be eliminated before the present record can be accepted. On 27 August, a Black-eared Seedeater Serinus mennelli was found near Punda Maria, in the north of Kruger National Park; this apparently constitutes the first record for the park, with only a few others claimed in the country.

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Records from January-May 2005 include the following. Wandering Albatrosses Diomedea exulans were reported south of Cape Point on 7 and 30 March with two south-west of Danger Point on 31 March. Also off Cape Point, a Southern Royal Albatross D. (e.) epomophora was seen on 7 March and a Northern Royal Albatross D. (e.) sanfordi on 3 April. Single Spectacled Petrels Procellaria (aequinoctialis) conspicillata were seen on 29 January and 30 March. Africa's 10th Macaroni Penguin Eudyptes chrysolophus was found at Gansbaai, Western Cape, on 19 February. An unidentified tropicbird Phaethon sp. with a white tail flew over Constantia, Western Cape, around midday on 29 January and a few hours later southern Africa's sixth (and South Africa's fifth) Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus was seen at Rondevlei Nature Reserve, only a short distance away; what must almost certainly have been the same individual was seen at Betty's Bay two days later. Another unidentified tropicbird with a white tail was in Saldanha Bay harbour, Western Cape, on 12 February. A Red-footed Booby Sula sula was sighted offshore c3 hours north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 12 February.

A male Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos was at Paarl Bird Sanctuary, Western Cape, on 24-28 March and a male Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata, possibly a genuine vagrant, at the Umvoti River mouth, KwaZulu-Natal, on 4 April. A Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris was at Kamberg, KwaZulu-Natal, on 2 January. Slaty Egrets Egretta vinaceigula were reported from Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, where two were present from 23 January until the end of February, from Seekoeivlei, Memel, Free State, on 5 February, and from Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve, North West Province, on 5-11 February at least. Southern Africa's third Little Blue Heron E. caerulea was still present in its fifth year at the Olifants River, north of Lambert's Bay, Western Cape, on 25 March; it seems to have become resident and was reported again on 12 April. A Western Reef Heron E. gularis, photographed at Rondevlei Nature Reserve on 27 January, was still present on 9 February.

Over 15 sightings of European Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus were received from Northern and Western Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo Province and KwaZulu-Natal, the last being reported at Tokai Arboretum, Western Cape, on 19 May. Western Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus were at Hazelmere Dam, KwaZulu-Natal on 19 January, at La Mercy Airstrip, KwaZulu-Natal, on 21-29 January, at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, from 23 January until late February, with up to three different birds being noted, and at Elandsvlei near Bapsfontein from 27 February until 12 March at least. An Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae flew over near Berg-en-Dal, Kruger National Park, on 6 February.

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In KwaZulu-Natal, a Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus was found at Umkomaas on 7 January where it remained until the 16th, with another at Mfolozi River mouth on 29th. An American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica at De Mond Nature Reserve, near Arniston, in November 2004, was still present on 2 April. Single Pacific Golden Plovers P. fulva were reported from Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 16 January, the Kabeljous River estuary near Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, on 9 February, Den Staat Wetlands, Limpopo Province, from 23 March until 14 April, and De Mond Nature Reserve near Arniston from 8 March until 2 April, with a second photographed there on 22 March. Three were present at Phinda Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal on 1 March. A White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis at Voëlvlei, near Bredasdorp, Western Cape, on 13 March was still present on 10 April. Three Pectoral Sandpipers C. melanotos remained at Turfloop Dam near Polokwane, Limpopo Province, from 28 January until 22 March at least; one was at Spitskop Dam, c100 km north-west of Kimberley, Northern Cape, on 2 April. Two Broad-billed Sandpipers Limicola falcinellus were at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 16 January with one inland, at Turfloop Dam, Limpopo Province, on 19 March. Records of Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa included at least five at the Jan Kempdorp wetlands, Northern Cape, on 12 February; five at the Samaria Dams adjacent to Mapungubwe National Park, Limpopo Province, on 17 February; one at Nsumu Pan in Mkuzi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, on 19 February; two at De Plaat on the Berg River, Western Cape, from 22 March until 3 April at least; and a group of 23 at Spitskop Dam, c100 km north-west of Kimberley, Northern Cape, on 3 April with eight still there on 10th. A Common Redshank Tringa totanus was at Velddrif, Western Cape, on 20 January. Single Green Sandpipers T. ochropus were found at St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, on 25 January; in Kruger National Park on 6 February; at Umfolozi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, on 13 February; at Eston wetland, KwaZulu-Natal, on 13-19 February; and at Crocodile Bridge in Kruger National Park on 19 February. The 15th Wilson's Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor for southern Africa was in West Coast National Park, Western Cape, on 15 January. A small flock of up to seven Red-necked Phalaropes P. lobatus remained at Velddrif, Western Cape, from 20 January through February, with the last reported on 7 April. Single Red Phalaropes P. fulicarius were reported from Wembley Dam, Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal, on 17 January, Eston, KwaZulu-Natal, on 12 February, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Northern Cape, on 15 February), and Bushman's Kloof Wilderness Reserve, Western Cape, on 21-27 February.

A Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan, frequenting the Durban Bay area, KwaZulu-Natal, on 18 January, was last sighted on 9 February; another was at Strandfontein Sewage Works, Western Cape, from 5 April until 9th at least. A Common Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus in breeding plumage remained at the mouth of the Rooi-Els River, Western Cape, from 8 February until 6 April. Southern Africa's 19th Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica was at the Kromme Rivier estuary, St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, from 25 February until 7 April; another found at Voëlvlei near Bredasdorp, Western Cape, on 10 March was still present on 10 April. The Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus at Cape Recife, Port Elisabeth, Eastern Cape, returned for its fifth successive year to this site, on 27 May). A Sooty Tern S. fuscata was at Umgeni River in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on 30 January.

A juvenile Thick-billed Cuckoo Pachycoccyx audeberti was observed at Kube Yini Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, on 28 May; there are fewer than ten records from the province. Southern Africa's first sight record of Pallid Swift Apus pallidus was reported from West Coast National Park on 6 February; fortunately the bird was photographed. The only previous record for the region is a specimen collected at Kuruman, Northern Cape, on 12 February 1904. The Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea present at Debengeni Falls in Magoebaskloof in December 2003-February 2004 returned on 9 January and was last reported on 12 March; another was at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, from 30 March until 5 April.

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The following records were reported in July–December 2004. On pelagic trips out of Cape Town, single Northern Royal Albatrosses Diomedea epomophora sanfordi were seen on 21–22 August and 19 and 25 September, a Southern Royal Albatross D. (e.) epomophora on 14 November, and Wandering Albatrosses D. exulans on 19 and 25 September (three) and on 17 October. A tropicbird Phaethon sp. with a red bill, Red-tailed P. rubricauda or Red-billed P.aethereus, was seen flying over the Cape Point car park on 29 July. A flight in a small aircraft over the Mozambique Channel on 22 October produced at least three Audubon's Shearwaters Puffinus lherminieri, a Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda, an unidentified frigatebird Fregata sp. and many Sooty Terns Sterna fuscata. An Atlantic Petrel Pterodroma incerta was identified c10 km off Cape Point on 2 November. A Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii observed in a large flock of Leach's Storm-petrels Oceanodroma leucorhoa at 35°24'S 11°08'E on 11 December may well constitute the most southerly record yet.

A Slaty Egret Egretta vinaceigula was seen at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, on 9 October; this bird has been returning regularly to this site. The long-staying Little Blue Heron E. caerulea was still present at Olifants River mouth, near Papendorp, Western Cape, in August; this bird, the third for southern Africa, was first reported here on 10 November 2001. Tufted Ducks Aythya fuligula have been reported occasionally from the south-western Cape over the last few years and are presumed escapes, although they may perhaps constitute genuine vagrants. Recent reports include at least one in De Hoop Vlei, in mid-July, a male at Rondevlei on 1 August and another male at Strandfontein on 29 November and mid-December. An immature American Purple Gallinule Porphyrio martinica was near Port Edward, KwaZulu-Natal, on 26 October until at least 20 November.

Single Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus were reported from Western Cape on 2 September at Sedgefield and on 2 October at Yzerfontein. Lesser Sand Plovers Charadrius mongolus were seen in West Coast National Park, Western Cape, on 30 August and 12 September (two), while Greater Sand Plovers C. leschenaultii were observed near Churchhaven, Western Cape on 25 July (one), at Geelbek, West Coast National Park, Western Cape on 30 August (at least five), and at Gamtoos Estuary, near Jeffrey's Bay, Eastern Cape on 7 October (two). Six Caspian Plovers C. asiaticus at Greater St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal, on 21 September constitute a very south-eastern record. An American Golden Plover Pluvialis dominica was at De Mond, near Bredasdorp, Western Cape on 27 November until at least 17 December. Single Pacific Golden Plovers P. fulva were present at Muzi Pan, KwaZulu-Natal, on 4 October and at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal on 20 November until at least 6 December.

In Western Cape, a White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis stayed at Geelbek, West Coast National Park from 28 August until 4 October, whereas a Baird's Sandpiper C. bairdii, found at Velddrif on 22 October, was looked for in vain the next day; both appear to be the 11th for southern Africa. Single Pectoral Sandpipers C. melanotos were reported from Elandsvlei, Gauteng on 3–8 September and from Josini dam, northern KwaZulu-Natal on 11 October. A Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus stayed at Gamtoos River mouth, near Jeffrey's Bay, Eastern Cape from 26 September until at least 7 October and another was seen in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal,  on 20 November.

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The second Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus for Africa was discovered at Leeupan, south of Benoni, Johannesburg on 12 November and remained until 30 November at least; the first was at Nakuru, Kenya, on 20–21 November 1966. A Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa was reported from Uilenkraals River mouth, near Gansbaai, Western Cape on 24 November and four were seen at Strandfontein Sewage Works, Western Cape on 27–29 November. Single Common Redshanks Tringa totanus were seen at Josini dam, northern KwaZulu-Natal, on 12 October, at Velddrif, Western Cape on 23 October and at Geelbek, West Coast National Park, Western Cape on 21 November until at least 25th. A Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus was at Darvill Bird Sanctuary, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal on 11–15 November. Near Velddrif, Western Cape, a Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus was seen on 11 September and four were still present on 25 November. A Red Phalarope P. fulicarius was seen on a pelagic trip out of Cape Town on 17 October.

Several Common Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus were reported. An adult in breeding plumage was at the Bot Rivier lagoon, near Hermanus, Western Cape from 24 July until at least 7 October. Another was observed at King's Beach, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape on 30 August; probably the same individual was reported from Driftsands Reclamation Works, Port Elizabeth, on 27 October. A first-summer Common Black-headed Gull was present at Paarl Bird Sanctuary, Western Cape on 9 October until at least 13 October. Another adult was at Umgeni River mouth, near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal on 7 November and yet another in breeding plumage was photographed at Summerstrand beach, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape on 20 November.

A Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica was at Nyamithi Pan at Ndumo, KwaZulu-Natal in late November. The long-staying Bridled Tern S. anaethetus was again present at the point at Cape Receife, Port Elizabeth, on 23 July. Nine Sooty Terns S. fuscata were seen on a pelagic trip out of Richards Bay on 23 September and an adult and a juvenile at Swartvlei, near Wilderness, Western Cape on 15 November. A Black Tern Chlidonias niger was found in a flock of White-winged Terns C. leucopterus near Velddrif, Western Cape on 11 September. An African Skimmer Rhynchops flavirostris stayed at Roodekoppies Dam, near Brits, North-west Province, on 13–19 August.

A Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus was seen in the Blaauwberg Conservation Area, Western Cape on 1 October. In Tokai, Cape Peninsula, Western Cape, a pair of Amethyst Sunbirds Chalcomitra amethystina in full breeding plumage was observed on 27 October; their behaviour suggested they were breeding in the area. This species seems to be expanding westwards and there are previous reports from Tokai gardens. Also in Western Cape, Southern Grey-headed Sparrows Passer diffusus were reported from Gordon's Bay on 29 August (one) and Somerset West from 25 July until the end of August at least. A small group of Red-throated Twinspots Hypargos niveoguttatus was observed in detail at Gundani, Venda, Limpopo Province in early December. Although there are some old records from this area, the Atlas of Southern African Birds (1997) and some subsequent publications have assumed that these were based on misidentifications of Pink-throated Twinspot H. maragritatus.

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The following records were reported in December 2003 to June 2004, unless indicated otherwise. A Buller's Albatross Diomedea bulleri was videoed on a Cape pelagic trip on 15 February. A Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes halli was seen off Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 21 June 2003; a rarity for the province. An Atlantic Petrel Pterodroma incerta was seen passing Cape Point, Western Cape, on 29 May. A Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda was seen on 20 January between Vermont and Onrus River, Western Cape. In KwaZulu-Natal, a female Greater Frigatebird Fregata minor was at Zinkwazi on 19 January and a female Lesser Frigatebird F. ariel at St Lucia on 18 May. A Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides flew near Rondevlei Nature Reserve, Western Cape, on 3/4 April. A Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea was still present at Olifants River mouth, north of Lambert's Bay, Western Cape, during the whole period. A Black Stork Ciconia nigra stayed at Kluitjieskraal forestry station for some two weeks in January, with another between Caledon and Napier, Western Cape, on 3 February, and a third at the N1/R46 junction east of Touws River, Western Cape, on 21 June. A group of c200 European White Storks C. ciconia, most immatures, soared low above Rondevlei Nature Reserve, Western Cape, on 1 January.

An Osprey Pandion haliaetus was at Gamtoos River mouth, Eastern Cape, on 22 December and two were in West Coast National Park, Western Cape, on 7 February. European Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus were reported from Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, on 28 December (one), Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Western Cape on 3 January (one), Fernwood Estate, Cape Peninsula, Western Cape on 11 January (one) and 20 to 22 January (two), Kirstenbosch Craft Market, Western Cape, on 25 January (one), Cecelia Forest, Cape Peninsula, Western Cape on 31 January (two), and Kirstenbosch, Western Cape on 29 February (one). A pair of Bat Hawks Macheiramphus alcinus at the old nesting site near Rooikoppies Tea Estate, close to Debengeni Falls, Magoebaskloof, Limpopo, gave excellent views on 1 February. A male Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus was seen north of Perdekop, Mpumalanga, on 11 December, and a Western Marsh Harrier C. aeruginosus at Marievale, Gauteng on 16 December. A dark-morph Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus was at Rondevlei, Western Cape on 30 December, and a pale morph at Fernwood Estate on 11 January. An African Hobby Falco cuvierii was at Albasini Dam, east of Makhado, Limpopo, on 1 February; apparently a pair has been present in the area since November 2003. An adult Eleonora's Falcon F. eleonorae was observed in the Umfolozi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, on 9 January.

On 11 April, a male African Blue Quail Coturnix adansonii was seen in the north of Kruger National Park; this is the first record for the park and only the third for the old Transvaal province, two previous records being from 1906 and 1910, while the last record from South Africa was of a dead bird in Durban in December 1973. The following crakes were reported: a Corncrake Crex crex at Middelpunt, Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga, on 20 December and another at Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on 21 January, a White-winged Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi at Middelpunt, Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga, in mid-December, a Spotted Crake Porzana porzana at Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, on 25 January, and a Striped Crake Aenigmatolimnas marginalis at Kgomo-Kgomo, north of Pretoria, Gauteng, on 24/25 April, with another at Vogelfontein, Nylsvley, Limpopo, on 8 to 22 May.

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Eurasian Oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus were reported from Muizenberg, Western Cape on 14 December (one), Lake St Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal on 19 December (one, apparently being there for some time), Eland's Bay, Western Cape from 14 December to 6 January (one), Gamtoos River mouth, Eastern Cape from 22 December to 9 May (two), with one still present on 9 June. Lesser Sand Plovers Charadrius mongolus were present at Gamtoos River mouth, Eastern Cape on 1 January (two) and at Kromme Rivier, Eastern Cape on 9 June (one), while Greater Sand Plovers C. leschenaultii were at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal on 28 December (one), at Gamtoos River mouth on 1 January (one), and at De Mond Nature Reserve, Western Cape on 3 February (one). Up to 20 Caspian Plovers C. asiaticus were present at Spitskop Dam, near Warrenton, Northern Cape in December and January. A Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva was at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, from late December until early March; singles were also at De Mond Nature Reserve, Western Cape from 2 to 21 March and at Uilenkraals River mouth, Western Cape, on 18 April. A leucistic Grey Plover P. squatarola was at West Coast National Park, Western Cape on 17 April.

The Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris seen from Seeberg Hide in West Coast National Park, Western Cape, was present from 31 November to late December; this is the bird’s fourth season at exactly the same site, having first been recorded in December 2000 (see Bull ABC 10: 120-121). Pectoral Sandpipers C. melanotos were found near Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape on 18 December (two), at Stanger, KwaZulu-Natal, during December and January (up to four), and at Ladysmith sewage works, KwaZulu-Natal on 7 January (one). A Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus was at West Coast National Park, Western Cape on 29 to 31 December; three stayed at Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, from late December until early March. Two Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa were at Spitskop Dam, near Warrenton, Northern Cape on 21 December, with four there from 15 to 23 January; one was at Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Gauteng, on 11 to 14 May. Two Common Redshanks Tringa totanus, first observed on 14 December in West Coast National Park, Western Cape, were last reported on 1 March; one was also at Velddrif, Western Cape, on 19 to 28 March. Terek Sandpipers Xenus cinereus were present at Gamtoos River mouth, Eastern Cape, on 22 December (one) and 1 January (c 40), De Mond Nature Reserve, Western Cape, on 3 February (one), and West Coast National Park, Western Cape on 7 February (one) and 17 June (16). Up to five Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus at Velddrif, Western Cape, first seen on 25 November, were last reported on 19 March; four were also noted at Strandfontein Sewage Works, Western Cape, on 15 February. A Red Phalarope P. fulicarius was at Spitskop Dam, Northern Cape, on 14 February.

Single Franklin's Gulls Larus pipixcan were reported from Umgeni River mouth, KwaZulu-Natal, on 9/10 January, Durban Bay, KwaZulu-Natal on 5 April and Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape from 26 April to 3 May. A Black-headed Gull L. ridibundus in breeding plumage stayed at Krugersdrift Dam, near Bloemfontein, Free State, from 16 December until 5 January at least; a non-breeding individual was reported from Kleinriviersvlei on 15 February. A juvenile Lesser Black-backed Gull L. fuscus, first seen on 21 December at Spitskop Dam, near Warrenton, Northern Cape, was last reported on 23 January. A wholly white Kelp Gull L. dominicanus was in a flock of roosting gulls at Strandfontein Sewage Works, Western Cape on 15 February. Tern records include a Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus at Cape Recife, Eastern Cape from 12 April until 9 June, a Sooty Tern S. fuscata at Durban Bay, KwaZulu-Natal on 5 April, and a Black Tern Chlidonias niger at Velddrif, Western Cape from mid-December to early January, with another at Rocher Pan on 18 December.

The sixth White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis for southern Africa was at Pearly Beach, near Hermanus, Western Cape on 28/29 April. Near Wellington, Western Cape, a Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri was seen on 23 December. A Brown-backed Honeybird Prodotiscus regulus was found at Tokai Plantation, Cape Peninsula, Western Cape on 20 December, and another at Kirstenbosch, Western Cape on 29 February.

A Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea, first found at Magoebaskloof, Limpopo, in late December, was last seen there on 28 February. A Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia stayed for some three weeks in February in a garden at the Vaal River, c6 km from Sasolburg, Free State; this is possibly the southernmost record for this species and probably the first for the Free State. A Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus was seen at Wilderness National Park, Western Cape on 6 March; there have been a number of records from the Garden Route in recent years. River Warblers Locustella fluviatilis were recorded at Vaalkop Dam Nature Reserve, North-West Province on 23 March (two), Polokwane Nature Reserve, Limpopo on 1 April (one) and Zaagkuilsdrift road, north of Pretoria, Gauteng on 3 April (one). A female Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla was at Marloth Nature Reserve, north of Swellendam, Western Cape on 30 November 2003. Two Grey Sunbirds Cyanomitra veroxii near Robberg, in Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, were seen from 24 to 29 December at least; apparently an influx took place into the Garden Route area, with birds reported from Wilderness, Nature's Valley and Knysna. An Olive Bush-Shrike Telophorus olivaceus was at Kirstenbosch, Western Cape, on 27 February.

Last page update 5th November 2007

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