First nesting records for the Black Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus in the Northern Cape, South Africa.

Black sparrowhawks Accipiter melanoleucus have expanded their range westwards into areas previously unsuitable due to a lack of appropriate tree cover. They now occur in areas where exotic trees (mainly Eucalyptus and Pinus species) have become established: forestry plantations, urban areas and infestations along rivers. This paper reports the status of black sparrowhawks in the Northern Cape, and the discovery of two nests in Pinus plantations close to Nieuwoudtville in 2019. It is likely that this area was colonised from the Western Cape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]