Spotted Owlet Steals the Show
On Sunday 20 January 2013, we again visited the eastern
shoreline of Rawal Lake. On the approach, a BLACK SHOULDERED KITE watched us
from its telephone wire vantage point. The LAGGAR FALCON on a rock close to the
water’s edge appeared to be the same bird that we had seen flying through the
area the previous day. Two RUDDY SHELDUCK were on the water and the only other
ducks present were nine MALLARD.
There were a few CITRINE WAGTAIL near the shoreline and
although lacking the extensive yellow colouration of the breeding season, what colouration
there was around the ear coverts and upper breast of these birds was still
impressive. A single YELLOW WAGTAIL of the race Motacilla flava beema was a nice comparison. There were also a few
WHITE WAGTAIL of the race Motacilla alba
dukhunensis that completed the checklist of Wagtail species that were
present.
Pretty much all the species we had seen the day before were
again present but we had the added pleasure of seeing a WESTERN MARSH HARRIER.
Western Marsh Harrier Sams Photography |
During the late afternoon we visited Ankara Park, where we
saw the SPOTTED OWLET that is pictured below. The photographers had a field day
with this accommodating and photogenic bird.
Spotted Owlet Sarel van Zyl |
Whilst walking through the reeds on the northern shoreline
of Rawal Lake we found this INTERMEDIATE EGRET, which is, you’ve guessed
intermediate in size between a Great Egret and Little Egret. If only all
birding was so simple!
"It's tiring being an Owlet" Spotted Owlet Sams Photography |