The
evening of Friday 10 August 2012 saw the return of ALPINE SWIFT to Islamabad.
This is a full two weeks later than their arrival last year. Previously, they
only lingered for about four weeks. A summer migrant and breeder in some parts
of Pakistan the Alpine Swifts pay only a fleeting visit to the Federal Capital
Area. At 22cm the Alpine Swift dwarfs our familiar House Swift.
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| Bank Myna Zill Niazi |
This
morning, Saturday 11 August 2012, we paid a visit to Rawal Lake in the hope of
finding passage waders. Sadly, we found none during what was a misty, overcast
and very humid daybreak. Only the resident RED-WATTLED LAPWING were present. There
were numerous INDIAN POND HERON in a variety of plumage ranging from full
adult breeding to juvenile. LITTLE EGRET was plentiful with lesser numbers of
CATTLE EGRET. Even with the rains the water level at Rawal Lake remains
worryingly low and BLACK KITE loafed around the shoreline.
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| Juvenile Black Kite Zill Niazi |
Amongst
the fields adjacent to the lake were many species. The vociferous GREY
FRANCOLIN called from its hiding place before two crossed the track in front of
us. The wires held both GREEN BEE-EATER and its larger cousin the BLUE-TAILED
BEE-EATER. The latter allowed us a very close approach as they settled amongst the
more photogenic setting of vegetation, using the car as a hide. We also noticed
one PADDYFIELD PIPIT and three CRESTED LARK. From the lakeside vegetation, now
green from the monsoon rains, emanated the distinctive call of ZITTING
CISTICOLA. There were several LONG-TAILED SHRIKE but they proved a more elusive
photographic quarry. Another species that appeared a little coy was BANK MYNA.
It was good to catch up with these again, as my last sighting was on 28 April
but maybe I haven’t been looking hard enough. All of the three COMMON HOOPOE
were particularly shy but good to see nonetheless.
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| Blue-tailed Bee-eater Zill Niazi |
We
made our way to Jinnah Road Marsh and our arrival was heralded by a cacophony
of bird song. The noisiest and most numerous appeared to be the BAYA WEAVER
colonies of which there were several; only silenced when a SHIKRA flew amongst
them. The females were assiduously repairing old and creating new nests.
Interestingly, the only males seen were those loafing nearby apparently
oblivious to the industry going on around them. We also witnessed an outbreak of
kleptomania with some females stealing nesting material from their absent neighbours’
craftwork.
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| Female Baya Weaver at Nest Zill Niazi |
There
were many more Bee-eaters of both species. I looked hard but could not find a
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater amongst them.
There
were more SCALY-BREASTED MUNIA than I had previously witnessed. A few PLAIN
PRINIA and at least one GRACEFUL PRINIA with its insect-like call represented
that family. Hirundines were few and far between but there were some
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW and a few PLAIN MARTIN near to the river. On a rock in the
middle of the river was a lone LITTLE CORMORANT.
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| Female Baya Weaver Zill Niazi |
On
the return walk we saw a couple of GREATER COUCAL being harried by an HOUSE
CROW. Two WHITE-BREASTED KINGFISHER called to each other from the wires. We saw
fleeting views of three WHITE-BREASTED WATERHEN as they disappeared into reeds
and a group of PLUM-HEADED PARAKEET was a surprise here. Normally, I see them
on the Margalla Ridge but I did see a large group of this species on the
Western edge of the lake in August last year. A lone GREEN SANDPIPER was possibly a returning migrant unless it was a non-breeding over
summering individual.
So,
not a bad haul for the, usually quiet, month of August in ornithological terms. The excitement of the Autumn migration is one to savour.
