Weaver rarity records

Weaver rarity records from SA Rare Bird News [earliest record from 09/03/2009]
[some Whatsapp msgs are now included, from Oct 2020]

This is a summary of weavers mentioned on the SA Rare Bird News – each record has a link to the original listserver email. If photos were included, a link allows the photo to be viewed here, but they are hosted at rarebirdnews (these photos may not be visible on all browsers on this page – click on the link to go to the original).

The species with the most records is the Southern Brown-throated Weaver from Crocodile Bridge at Kruger. There have been quite a few published records of out-of-range White-winged Widowbirds, but none reported on rarebirdnews. 17 of some 25 southern African species have been reported on rarebirdnews (ie out of range records). Two errors are listed below.

List of weavers with records:

Thick-billed Weaver
Scaly-feathered Finch
White-browed Sparrow-weaver
Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver
Red-billed Quelea
Red-headed Quelea
Yellow-crowned Bishop
White-winged Widow
Red-headed Weaver
Dark-backed Weaver
Spectacled Weaver
Lesser Masked Weaver
Holub’s Golden Weaver
Eastern Golden Weaver (or Yellow Weaver)
Southern Masked Weaver
Chestnut Weaver
Village Weaver
Southern Brown-throated Weaver

Species records:

Thick-billed Weaver

20/12/2017 – Mike Buckham reports a Thick-billed Weaver and Amur Falcon at Cape St Francis.

04/11/2010 – in the North-west Province, a few THICK-BILLED WEAVERS were reported on the weekend from reedbeds at the Orkney Golf Course. This species seems to be spreading its way westwards, especially along the Vaal River, at quite a reasonable rate at the moment.

Scaly-feathered Finch

21/11/2022 – Into Limpopo where the Tropic of Capricorn Loop in the Kruger National Park produced a CASPIAN PLOVER on Friday and a group of at least 4 SCALY-FEATHERED FINCHES on Thursday. [photo – Scaly-feathered Finch on Tropic of Capricorn Loop, © Julia Clarence]

30/05/2021 – General Birding Chat – WC [Telegram, Alex Aitkenhead, 9h13] SCALY-FEATHERED WEAVER (FINCH). Seen on the way to Malmesbury, out of range according to sasol e birds, has anyone else seen them around the cape? [probable ERROR)

1/02/2021 – Up in Limpopo, it was all happening in the Makuleke Concession near Pafuri in the Kruger National Park with both a SCALY-FEATHERED FINCH and CRIMSON-BREASTED SHRIKE reported there yesterday.

17/02/2020 – a group of 4 SCALY-FEATHERED FINCHES were seen this morning at the KM19 marker north of Shingwedzi in the Kruger National Park.

19/08/2019 – in Limpopo, a SCALY-FEATHERED FINCH was seen again at Boyela waterhole, north of Shingwedzi, in the Kruger National Park on Saturday.

11/07/2019 – in Limpopo, a group of 7 SCALY-FEATHERED FINCHES were found a short distance south of Boyela waterhole in the Kruger National Park on Monday. What was perhaps even more interesting with Monday’s find was the discovery of two active nest sites, only the second nesting record known from the Kruger National Park following birds nesting in the Makuleke Concession in 2011.

13/05/2019 – this afternoon, there was another record of SCALY-FEATHERED FINCHES from the Kruger National Park when a small group of birds was seen in the north-western corner of the Makuleke Concession not too far from Pafuri.

06/05/2019 – Up in Limpopo, there was some surprise when 2 SCALY-FEATHERED FINCHES were found along the S53 about 9km south of Babalala Picnic Site in the Kruger National Park on Saturday, possibly only the second ever confirmed record for the park, following birds that were found breeding in Makuleke Concession around 8 years ago.

14/03/2011 – Also still proving popular on a provincial scale is the LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER just south of Merweville which was still on view early yesterday whilst other noteworthy records in this same area included a female RED-BACKED SHRIKE, several SCALY-FEATHERED FINCHES (quite far west for this species) and a BLACK-CHESTED SNAKE EAGLE.

23/11/2010 – on Friday, 4 SCALY-FEATHERED FINCHES were located at Kwandwe Game Reserve near Grahamstown, an apparently south-easterly extension of range by some way.

08/03/2010 – the area near Cofimvaba (in the former Transkei) produced both a BLACK-CHESTED PRINIA and a SCALY-FEATHERED FINCH with both species being well south-east of their known ranges.

White-browed Sparrow-weaver

19/08/2024 – Moving up the coast into Kwazulu Natal, a WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER was found outside the entrance to Midmar Dam at -29.488, 30.194 on Saturday and was still there this afternoon [=17/08/2024]

© John van de Ruit

7/08/2024 – a WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER was seen at Chelmsford Dam at -27.953, 29.923 yesterday. [=7/08/2024]

© Peter Sharland

24/12/2020 – a surprizing WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER at Bayala Private Safari Lodge on Tuesday [=22/12/20]
KZN Rare Bird Alert [Whatsapp] 22/12/2020 – White browed sparrow weaver at bayala private safari lodge. Reported by Dave Veldman – Adam Riley.

25/11/2019 – a WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER seen at Ghwarrie Dam in Addo National Park on Saturday

21/11/2019 – WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVERS seen building a nest at Nandzana Windmill on Monday

 

8/07/2019 – a WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER was seen 20km south of Timbavati picnic site along the S39 in the Kruger National Park on Saturday.

 

8/01/2019 – WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER: At least 3 birds present in the Pafuri area of Kruger National Park, which I believe is a very unusual bird for the park. Reported by Johann du Preez.

10/09/2018 – Up in Limpopo Province, the easterly spread into the northern parts of the Kruger National Park for WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVERS continues with a bird reported earlier today building a nest on the north side of the S63 about 350m from the H1-8 towards Pafuri picnic site.

12/01/2017 – the WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER was still near Tugela Ferry earlier today.

28/11/2016 – the WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER was also still around about 10km south of Tugela Ferry yesterday.

7/11/2016 – Also still attracting local attention, the WHITE-BROWED SPARROW WEAVER remained in place about 10km south-west of Tugela Ferry at -28.813,30.371 on Saturday.

31/10/2016 – on Saturday, a WHITE-BROWED SPARROW WEAVER was located about 10km south-west of Tugela Ferry at -28.813,30.371.

12/12/2013 – a WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER was seen at Shingwedzi, in the Kruger National Park.

30/09/2013 – 2 WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVERS, another really tough bird in the province were reported from Pongola Nature Reserve yesterday.

13/02/2012 – WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER nesting 5km (on left) towards Nkumbe lookout from H1-2/H10 junction (Tshokwane).

07/03/2011 – at least 3 WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVERS with signs of nesting activity as well were noted about 4km from Tshokwane along the road to Lower Sabie.

19/07/2010 – A small group of nesting WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVERS (3-4 birds) were located about 4km from the Tshokwane picnic site on the tar road to Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park.

Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver

2/04/2021 – Chat Group KZN Rare Bird Alert [Whatsapp] – 3x temnick’s courser, 4x red billed buffalo weaver, 9x chestnut backed sparrow-lark. All in pongola game reserve. 1x african grey hornbill 3km before boarder post – Wade Lee

28/03/2021 – Chat Group KZN Rare Bird Alert [Whatsapp] – Red-billed Buffalo-Weavers breed in the trees around the swimming pool of the Fishing Camp just before the Parks Board reserve entrance – Digby Cyrus

28/03/2021 – KZN Rare Bird Alert Telegram – Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver at Phongola NR near entrance gate to reserve – Ian Gordon, 8h41

28/03/2021 – Chat Group KZN Rare Bird Alert [Whatsapp] – Also a old nest near the small ablution block as you arrive at spillway. There is a Juv in this area currently but can’t find the new nest… Ivor van Rooyen

20/03/2021 – Chat Group KZN Rare Bird Alert [Whatsapp] – Rainer Summers reports Icterine Warbler & Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver at entrance to Phongola NR, also quite a few Olive-tree Warblers calling in the reserve – David Hoddinott.

1/03/2021 – KZN Rare Bird Alert Telegram – Red billed buffalo  weaver, Phongola Narure Reserve KZN. Apologies for bad picture through Binoculars – Johan Potgieter, 11h25. Pin -27.349, 31.918

10/10/2019 – In the Northern Cape, there was some surprise yesterday when a small group of RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVERS were found at Mokala National Park, well south of where this species normally occurs.

 

3/01/2016 – RED-BILLED BUFFALO WEAVER – a single female seen at the last stream crossing before entering Mkhuze Game Reserve on 24 December.

3/12/2015 – a RED-BILLED BUFFALO WEAVER was present yesterday at Mavela Lodge on the Zululand Rhino Reserve.

22/10/2015 – a RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER was reported from Pongola Nature Reserve.

Red-billed Quelea

29/03/2024 – Lionel Basson – small flock of red billed quelea in Betty’s bay
[photo below shows at least 12 quelea including some males in breeding plumage, and some females, feeding with other seedeaters]

 

9/10/2022 – Kirsten Morreira – 1 male quelea seen in Sybrand Park.

19/08/2021 – starting the Western Cape, a single RED-BILLED QUELEA was reported in Tokai yesterday.

18/08/2021 – Single RB Quelea seen in Tokai now. [Michael McSweeney, 11h16, General Birding Chat – WC Telegram]
Yes… Been there a few days now. [Candice Panthera, 11h53]

3/08/2021 – a single RED-BILLED QUELEA was seen on a garden feeder in Pinelands on Sunday

Red-billed Quelea in Pinelands © Lawrie Wilkin

26/07/2021 (12h44) – Just to let you know, a male quelea just turned up in my garden again briefly (not here long enough to get a photo this time). There’s been no sign of them all winter until now. (kirsten morreira)

1/07/2021 – Starting in the Western Cape, there was some surprize when a large flock of in excess of 100 RED-BILLED QUELEAS were seen on a farm in Noordhoek yesterday, still a pretty unusual bird around Cape Town.

11 & 30/06/2021 – CBC News Snippets Sightings Column email – Red-billed Quelea – the influx of birds that started early in April continues with a bird seen along the N7, beyond the Engen garage at -33.621,18.587 on 11 June (Ro’ees van der Speck) and several hundred birds landed in a dead gum tree on a farm near the beach at Noordhoek, 30 June, reported by Chris Spengler.

24/05/2021 – Cape Rare Bird Alert [Telegram, Garret Skead, 3h15pm] Red-billed Quelea. 1 bird seen in Philippi farmlands now, as per pin below: -34.068685, 18.550250

24/05/2021 – Two RED-BILLED QUELEAS were seen in a garden in Kommetjie on Saturday, another RED-BILLED QUELEA was reported this afternoon in the Philippi farmlands at -34.068, 18.550

Red-billed Quelea in Kommetjie © Trijntje de Jonge

17/05/2021 – there were also a few RED-BILLED QUELA records too with a group of 20 seen in Lighthouse Road in Kommetjie yesterday and another group of about 10 seen at Olifantsbos near Cape Point yesterday as well.

10/05/2021 – There were also reports of RED-BILLED QUELEAS with a small group reported at Rondevlei Nature Reserve on Saturday and another group seen near Stoney Point in Betty’s Bay yesterday.

8-24/05/2021 – CBC News Snippets Sightings Column email – Red-billed Quelea – the influx of birds that started early in April, continues with small groups seen at Rondervlei NR and also Stoney Point, 8 May, reported by Trevor Hardaker. 20 birds seen in Lighthouse Road, Kommetjie and 10 at Olifantsbos, 16 May, both reported by Trevor Hardaker. A bird seen in Punt Road, Philippi, 24 May (Garret Skead).

8/05/2021 – General Birding Chat – WC [Telegram, Charles, 17h37] – I saw a few Red billed Quelea today at Rondevlei/False bay nature reserve, first time I’ve seen them there.

1/05/2021 – General Birding Chat – WC [Telegram, Gareth Bain, 10h17] – At klein river estuary. Location
Not sure if this a regional rarity but there are a small flock of red billed quelea at the wagtail spot.
I’ve got shots of them. Full black caps, red bills and typical feeding patterns.

 

22/04/2021 – a small group of 4 RED-BILLED QUELEAS were seen along the coast at Scarborough on Tuesday.

20/04/2021 – Cape Rare Bird Alert [Telegram, Callan Cohen] – 4 x Red-billed Queleas flying along the coast at Scarborough now, heading southwards into Cape Point [8h36].

19/04/2021 – The influx of RED-BILLED QUELEAS continues unabated with birds seen in Kommetjie throughout the weekend with the biggest flock numbering over 50 individuals that visited a garden in Lighthouse Road yesterday. There was also a group of around 35 seen south of Olifantsbos yesterday, a smaller group of 10-12 seen at Platboom on Saturday, 2 small groups seen in Scarborough on Saturday and a singleton reported at Harold Porter Botanical Gardens in Betty’s Bay on Saturday as well. [photos]

18/04/2021 – Cape Rare Bird Alert [Telegram, John Graham] – Flock of 35 plus RB Quelea flying south at Olifantsbos, Cape Point, at around 09h30.

17/04/2021 – Cape Rare Bird Alert [Telegram, Callan Cohen] – Two small groups of Red-billed Queleas in Scarborough this morning: a group of 5 along the edge of the marsh / Egret street about 5 mins ago, and a group of about 15 earlier at about 8.30 flying from Beach read southwards into COGH reserve.

17/04/2021 – Cape Rare Bird Alert [Telegram, Rob Cooper] – Group of about 10-12 Red-billed Queleas at Platboom, Cape Point. Headed North

16/04/2021 – Cape Rare Bird Alert [Telegram, Pamela Cooper] – 2 red-billed queleas in the garden. Flown off again. Lighthouse Rd Kommetjie.

15/04/2021 – Cape Rare Bird Alert [Telegram, Matt Prophet] – [Location] Five Red-billed Quelea at above location in Kommetjie.

15/04/2021 – The influx of RED-BILLED QUELEAS also continues with a group of over 20 seen in a garden in Kommetjie on Tuesday [=Robert Cooper] (and another smaller group seen in the same area this morning) [=Robert Cooper], a group of 12 seen at Avondrustvlei farm in Noordhoek on Tuesday [=Chris Spengler], a single bird seen in a garden in Hermanus yesterday and a handful of birds also seen in a garden in Fisherhaven on Monday [=Gavin and Fin Woods]. [photos]

15/04/2021 – Cape Rare Bird Alert [Telegram, Trevor Hardaker] – Robert Cooper reports a small group of Red-billed Queleas in their garden in Lighthouse Road in Kommetjie again this morning.

13/04/2021 – Cape Rare Bird Alert [Telegram, Chris Spengler] – Flock of +/-10 to Red-billed Quelea just seen at Avondrustvlei Farm, Noordhoek.

13/04/2021 – Cape Rare Bird Alert [Telegram, Trevor Hardaker] – In the continuing theme of a mini-irruption of Red-billed Queleas in the Cape, Robert Cooper reports a group of at least 22 individuals in a garden in Kommetjie this afternoon while Gavin and Fin Woods also report a small group in a garden in Fisherhaven this morning as well.

12/04/2021 – There also seems to be a mini-irruption of RED-BILLED QUELEAS happening at the moment with groups reported in a garden in Betty’s Bay on Friday, a garden in Monte Vista yesterday and a garden in Gordon’s Bay today, the latter report concerning around 40 birds!

11/04/2021 – Birdpix 165394, Kirsten Morreira – 1 male first seen around feeder in Sybrand Park on 10 April, photos taken on 11-14 Apr; on 12th female also seen, by 14th I think there were 3 breeding males – the first one in the photos, one with a less red crown, and one with a white mask and yellowish head. I’m pretty sure of at least 6 individual birds (regulars include Cape and masked weavers, also red bishop visiting).

 

08/04/2021 – Cape Rare Bird Alert (Whatsapp) – 6-8 Red-billed quelea seen in Arum Ave, Kommetjie, Ethan Day [photo at inaturalist, males in breeding plumage].

8/04/2021 – a group of between 6 and 8 RED-BILLED QUELEAS were seen in a garden in Kommetjie this morning.

5/04/2021 – there was also some surprize when several RED-BILLED QUELEAS were seen in a garden in Stanford yesterday, a species that has expanded quite a bit in the Overberg in recent years, but has not been recorded in Stanford before.

15/09/2014 – In the Western Cape, a flock of RED-BILLED QUELEAS was located yesterday along the dirt road (R324) between Witsand and Swellendam. This species has certainly expanded its range in recent years and more and more records are being reported from the province these days.

14/04/2014 – Saturday turned up records of a single RED-BILLED QUELEA in a garden in D’Urbanvale.

23/01/2014 – on Sunday, a RED-BILLED QUELEA was mistnetted and ringed on a farm just outside of Malmesbury. [see brief trip report]

03/10/2013 – Down to the Western Cape where a RED-BILLED QUELEA was reported from near Faure on the Cape Flats on Monday, still quite an odd record so close to Cape Town.

29/10/2009 – a RED-BILLED QUELEA on the farm Leeuwenboschfontein near Montagu.

20/04/2009 – a RED-BILLED QUELEA seen at De Vlei Reserve about 72km north of Ceres along the R355 over the Easter Weekend.

Red-headed Quelea

19/03/2021 – Chat Group KZN Rare Bird Alert [Whatsapp] – Red-headed Quelea in full breeding plumage at Cedara – David Hoddinott.

19/03/2021 – KZN Rare Bird Alert Telegram – Redheaded Quelea at cedara – Doug McCulloch. Pin -29.549128, 30.255085

29/12/2020 – KZN Rare Bird Alert [Whatsapp] – Red-headed Quelea at Darvill – Adam Riley.

22/12/2020 – KZN Rare Bird Alert [Whatsapp] – Red-headed Quelea at Darvill Bird Sanctuary reported by Rainer Summers – David Hoddinott.

4/11/2020 – KZN Rare Bird Alert [Whatsapp] – Lots of red headed queleas at Mtunzini grassland – Georg.

18/12/2017 – 16/12/2017 Red-headed Quelea. Found by Clayton Burne at Darvill Sewage Works 16/12/2017 (not relocated on 17/12/2017).

10/08/2017 – the RED-HEADED QUELEA was seen again at Raptor’s View estate just outside Hoedspruit on Monday.

07/08/2017 – of particular interest was the discovery on Saturday of a non-breeding female RED-HEADED QUELEA in a flock of Red-billed Quelea in a garden in Raptor’s View just outside Hoedspruit. This is way out of range for this species and I cannot seem to find any references to previous records of this species in the province, so it may well be the first.

17/10/2016 – up at Ngciyo Pans, there was some excitement on Saturday when at least 3 RED-HEADED QUELEAS were located there. These birds drew some local interest and were still in place yesterday.

16/10/2016 – RED-HEADED QUELEA – at least 3 birds still present at Ngciyo Pans this morning – reported by Jorrie Jordaan.

18/10/2016 – RED-HEADED QUELEA – at least 3 individuals have been found this morning at Ngciyo Pans (Eastern Cape) at 33°35’51.7″S 26°36’34.0″E – reported by Jo Balmer.

ERROR: 19/04/2012 – Moving into Kwazulu Natal, a slightly out of range RED-HEADED QUELEA was reported on Tuesday along the road that leads from Ulundi to the Cengeni gate into the Umfolozi Game Reserve. [error for RED-HEADED FINCH, 20/04/2012]

17/01/2011 – not strictly a rarity, the following has been received on what seems to be a reliable stake-out for RED-HEADED QUELEA at the moment, a bird that can be tough to connect with.
Found a great and easily accessible pan for Red-headed Quelea that are nesting. From Gateway shopping centre there is a little pan in an undeveloped area to the north in between the centre and an area called Prestondale, stay in the low lying drainage line, park just off the road close to a red soil bank and walk 40m to the pan.

30/11/2009 – small numbers of RED-HEADED QUELEAS were present throughout the weekend at the new La Mercy airport site north of Durban.

12/11/2009 – there have been a few reports of RED-HEADED QUELEAS turning up in gardens in Meerensee in Richard’s Bay over the last few days which appears to be unusual for this species.

Yellow-crowned Bishop

Note: The 2021 records of Yellow-crowned Bishop in Noordhoek most likely refer to an escapee, possibly from the nearby World of Birds.

1/03/2021 – there was also some surprize when the male YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOP was seen again briefly in Lake Michelle Estate in Noordhoek on Friday.

15/02/2021 – the male YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOP was also still attracting attention at Lake Michelle in Noordhoek today.

[also many photos at 15/02/2021]

11/02/2021 – Other big local news concerns the discovery of a male breeding-plumaged YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOP that was found at Lake Michelle in Noordhoek on Tuesday and was still there today.

 

11/02/2021 – male Yellow-crowned Bishop in breeding plumage at Lake Michelle in Noordhoek. Also seen 12-15 Feb, not seen again (Telegram Cape Rare Bird Alert).

29/11/2012 – Yesterday saw a male YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOP being located at Junction Dam at Phinda Private Game Reserve.

04/04/2011 – On the weekend, a small group of YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOPS with at least 3 males in it was still present along the Gamka River running through Beaufort West.

[also photo by Trevor]

28/03/2011 – Other birds continuing to show well in town (Beaufort West) are the GREEN WOOD-HOOPOE and YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOP.

14/03/2011 – the YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOP is also still present in the Beaufort West area.

07/03/2011 – the YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOP reported last week along a river in Beaufort West is also still present but is rather skittish and proving a little elusive for photos.

17/02/2011 – a YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOP, an extremely rare bird in the province, located on a farm about 30km west of Murraysburg.

09/03/2009 – two regional oddities recorded at Phinda Game Reserve in the form of a YELLOW-CROWNED BISHOP and a DUSKY LARK.

White-winged Widow

22/03/2021 – a male WHITE-WINGED WIDOWBIRD seen on the southern plains near Peasland waterhole in Addo National Park on Wednesday.

White-winged Widowbird in Addo National Park © Alan Fogarty

8/03/2021 – several WHITE-WINGED WIDOWBIRDS still on a private farm near Cradock on Saturday.

White-winged Widowbird near Cradock © Keith Joubert

4/03/2021 – a few WHITE-WINGED WIDOWBIRDS still on a private farm near Cradock on Tuesday.

White-winged Widowbird near Cradock © Larry McGillewie 

11/02/2021 – there were still several WHITE-WINGED WIDOWBIRDS present on a private farm near Cradock yesterday as well.

White-winged Widowbird near Cradock © Barry Kurten 

8/02/2021 – several WHITE-WINGED WIDOWBIRDS still on the private farm near Cradock on Saturday.

White-winged Widowbird near Cradock © Jorrie Jordaan

4/02/2021 – many provincial listers were very excited with the report of several WHITE-WINGED WIDOWBIRDS found on private property north of Cradock at -31.913, 25.540 on Tuesday, only apparently the third record for the province.

White-winged Widowbird near Cradock © Stewart MacLachlan

Red-headed Weaver

2021/10/11 – an interesting local find as was a male RED-HEADED WEAVER seen at Tara Hospital in Sandton on Friday.

Red-headed Weaver in Sandton © Naazneen Ebrahim
2021/08/23 – Moving up the coast into Kwazulu Natal, a male RED-HEADED WEAVER was seen again at Manyoni Private Game Reserve this morning.

2021/08/23 – KZN Rare Bird Alert telegram – Male Red headed weaver as well as Bennets Woodpecker, Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge, Manyoni Private Game Reserve [Ryan Leopard Mt, 13h17]

2021/08/23 – KZN Rare Bird Alert telegram – Male Red Headed Weaver seen at nesting site on Manyoni Private Game Reserve [James Orton, 10h08]

3/08/2021 – Up in Namibia, 2 RED-HEADED WEAVERS were seen along the Khan River near Usakos on Saturday

KZN Rare Bird Alert [Whatsapp] 5/10/2020 – Bennetts Woodpecker and Red-headed Weaver both at Zebra Hills this morning. Reported by Ryan Tyrer – Ian Gordon.

KZN Rare Bird Alert [Whatsapp] 1/10/2020 – Male and female Red Headed Weaver at nest,  Leopard Mountain, Manyoni Private Game Reserve – James Orton

 

5/10/2020 – There were also a BENNETT’S WOODPECKER and a RED-HEADED WEAVER holding on at Zebra Hills in Manyoni Private Game Reserve earlier today as well.

21/09/2020 – 1 male and 2 female RED-HEADED WEAVERS still around Leopard Mountain Lodge in Manyoni Private Game Reserve on Sunday.

3/09/2020 – Manyoni Private Game Reserve – female RED-HEADED WEAVER seen there on Monday 31/08/2020.

ERROR: 11/06/2020 – RED-HEADED WEAVER was discovered seemingly building a nest at -32.822, 25.593. [this is a mis-identification; also included in ]

14/10/2019 – Also of local interest, the male RED-HEADED WEAVER was back at Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge in Manyoni Private Game Reserve on Friday.

20/10/2016 – This morning, it was also confirmed that a male RED-HEADED WEAVER along with 2 females is back at Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge near Mkhuze.

14/09/2015 – a RED-HEADED WEAVER was once again recorded at Leopard Mountain Game Lodge in the same reserve on Friday, the 5th year in a row that this has happened.

11/11/2013 – The province also delivered some other regionally good birds last week, all from Mavela Game Reserve, which included SOUTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL, LEVAILLANT’S CUCKOO, RED-HEADED WEAVER and LESSER GREY SHRIKE.

10/10/2013 – on Sunday, the RED-HEADED WEAVER was confirmed as still being present at the Zululand Rhino Reserve.

30/09/2013 – Other good birds included the return of a pair of RED-HEADED WEAVERS for the third season in a row to Leopard Mountain Game Lodge in Mkhuze last week.

29/11/2012 – The RED-HEADED WEAVER has, once again, also been reported from Leopard Mountain Game Lodge in Mkuze, whilst close by at Rhino River Lodge

01/03/2012 – In Kwazulu Natal, some RED-HEADED WEAVERS have now also been found breeding at Phinda Game Reserve. They were originally recorded there in 2008, but then disappeared and have only recently been relocated there. Is anyone aware of any breeding records any further south than this?

Red-headed Weaver at Phinda Game Reserve © Daryl Dell 

27/01/2011 – Further up the coast in Kwazulu Natal, there have also been a number of interesting regional reports coming through from an atlassing trip that worked the area around Ulundi. Most notable records for the province coming from this area over the weekend included a nesting RED-HEADED WEAVER

Dark-backed Weaver

07/01/2021 – In LIMPOPO, a DARK-BACKED WEAVER was seen in Woodbush forest at -23.837, 29.992 in a mixer [=mixed] feeding flock on 5 Jan.

[Note: this is 175 km NW from the closest record in SABAP2, ie Hazyview]

19/10/2009 – Continuing with the regional rarities theme, Mpumalanga also delivered some interesting birds over the weekend near Malelane with BLACK-BELLIED STARLING, DARK-BACKED WEAVER and PINK-THROATED TWINSPOT all being seen whilst the undoubted highlight was a pair of GREY WAXBILLS.

Spectacled Weaver

03/01/2013 – In North West Province an interesting record received is of a SPECTACLED WEAVER, seen on Saturday in riverine growth just upstream from Kgomo-Kgomo. This is a species that could be increasing its range westwards as SABAP2 records seem to indicate.

Lesser Masked Weaver

26/11/2009 – In Kwazulu Natal, a pair of LESSER MASKED WEAVERS have been discovered breeding at Mount Edgecombe Estate in Durban and were showing well on Monday. They were apparently only discovered at this site last year for the first time and are evidently an extremely rare bird in the Durban area with not a single record during the first bird atlas project.

Lesser Masked Weaver at Mount Edgecombe
© David Allan 

Holub’s Golden Weaver

21/12/2009 – a GOLDEN WEAVER reported from the entrance to Pongola Nature Reserve which may well constitute the first record of this species for the reserve.

Eastern Golden Weaver

24/10/2011 – Moving into Mpumalanga, the Komatipoort area is once again delivering good regional records with up to 30 YELLOW WEAVERS now present in the area at a “new” colony.

Yellow Weaver at Komatipoort© Brian Phelps 

19/07/2010 – in the Tonga region south of Komatipoort, a YELLOW WEAVER was located.

Yellow Weaver near Tonga
© Duncan McKenzie

Southern Masked Weaver

01/03/2012 – of interest, Phinda has recently recorded a new species for the reserve, its 426th, in the form of a SOUTHERN MASKED WEAVER!

Chestnut Weaver

Note: the first record of this species in South Africa was in 2011, and there have been 9 records from them to end 2020 (see list of records here).

4/02/2019 – Up in the Northern Cape, a report has been received of a male CHESTNUT WEAVER in the Blauputz Valley near Augrabies Falls National Park on Saturday which would seem to be only the 8th known record of this species in South Africa.

17/01/2019 – Up in the Northern Cape, a few slightly delayed records have also come through, most exciting of which was a moulting male CHESTNUT WEAVER seen in the campsite at Nossob in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park on 6 January. Following on from records in 2011 of birds at Nossob in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve and at Twee Rivieren, also in the KTP, then in 2012 again in the KTP just south of Union’s End, in 2013 at Augrabies Falls National Park and then, most recently, in 2014 at Spitskop Nature Reserve in Upington, this becomes only the 7th ever record of this species for South Africa that I am aware of.

Chestnut Weaver at Nossob© Lynette Nel 

24/03/2014 – In the Northern Cape, the male CHESTNUT WEAVER at Spitskop Nature Reserve in Upington was still present in the Southern Masked Weaver colony there until at least Thursday.

17/03/2014 – Another exciting record was that of a CHESTNUT WEAVER building a nest in a Southern Masked Weaver colony at the base of the ‘kop’ of Spitskop in Spitskop Nature Reserve in Upington. Following on from records in 2011 of birds at Nossob in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, then Tswalu Kalahari Reserve and then at Twee Rivieren, also in the KTP, then in 2012 again in the KTP just south of Union’s End and in 2013 at Augrabies Falls National Park, this becomes only the 6th ever record of this species for South Africa.

14/04/2011 – Then into the Northern Cape where, yet again, we have another record of CHESTNUT WEAVER with a single male spotted yesterday at Twee Rivieren in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. It’s hard to believe that we started 2011 off without ever having had this species recorded in South Africa before and we are now only in April and have already had our 3rd record!

Chestnut Weaver at Twee Rivieren© Graeme Ellis  

27/01/2011 – Moving into the Northern Cape, the CHESTNUT WEAVER at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is still present.

17/01/2011 – Moving into the Northern Cape, it seems that the main attractions have been the recent influx of CHESTNUT WEAVERS into the province. The bird at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve was still present on the weekend and attracted a small group of local twitchers.

11/01/2011 – Reported by Madel Whittington via Rihann Geyser:
Chestnut Weaver (Ploceus rubiginosus) seen in Nosob in the Kalahari!!!
This bird in not on the SA List and as such you will not find it on the SABAP2 website.

Village Weaver

12/01/2015 – a male VILLAGE WEAVER has been visiting a garden feeder in Boston in Bellville over the last few days, another odd record, but the possibility of an escapee can’t be totally ruled out although I’m not sure how many people would actually keep this species in captivity.