Bokmakierie

Goshawk, African/Sperwer, Afrikaanse
One bird was seen displaying over Fairland,
Johannesburg, again on 5 Aug 2016
(LR), with a further record in this area on
25 Oct 2016 (LR).
Another bird was seen at Delta Park,
Johannesburg on 2 Sep 2016 (AR).
This is still a very rare species in Gauteng
and any records should be carefully
documented and reported.
Hawk, Bat. Valk/Vlermuis-
One bird seen flying over Delta Park, Johannesburg
was a surprise sighting on 13
Sep 2016 (GL), and in the weeks following
what was presumably the same bird
was seen on two more occasions. This is
not a species that has been confirmed as
occurring in Gauteng with any certainty
and so this represents a very important
record.
Openbill, African/Ooievaar, Oopbek-
A single bird was at Mkhombo Dam, 19
Nov 2016 (LvD).
Plover, Caspian/Strandkiewiet, Asiatiese
One bird was at Mkhombo Dam, 10 Oct
2016 (CvW & MJ).
Pratincole, Collared/Sprinkaanvoël,
Rooivlerk-
A solitary bird was observed at Mkhombo
Dam, 16 Oct 2016 (IW).
Sanderling/Strandloper, Drietoon-
One bird was seen at Mkhombo Dam, 17
Nov 2016 (MJ).
Skimmer, African/Waterploeër
A single bird was present at Vaalkop
Dam, 1 Nov 2016 (SvdW). This is an uncommon
vagrant, with birds turning up
occasionally at large dams in the region.
Vulture, Palm-nut/Aasvoël, Wit-
An immature bird was observed at Vul-
Pro, Hartbeespoort, on 18 Nov 2016 (KW).
This is probably the same individual seen
there a few months ago.
Whimbrel, Common/Wulp, Klein-
One bird was at Roodeplaat Dam NR, 14
Oct 2016 (CvW, MJ).
At least one bird was at Mkhombo Dam,
16 Oct 2016 (IW)
Common Whimbrel - photo by Michael
Johnson
Other Interesting Observations/Ander
Interessants Waarnemings
Eagle, Ayres’ Hawk. Arend, Kleinjag-
One bird was observed in a garden in
Rustenburg where it caught and consumed
a racing pigeon, 17 Sep 2106 (GF).
Greenbul, Yellow-bellied. Willie, Geel-
bors-
A sighting of one bird in a garden in
Wonderboom in Pretoria in pentad
44 | Bokmakierie December 2016 No 247