Whistler's Warbler at Trail 5

On Saturday 27 October 2012 whilst most of Islamabad was celebrating Eid ul Azha, we walked Trail 5 of the Margalla Hills during the early morning. There was a distinct chill in the air as we began that initiated the belief that species usually associated with the high mountains may be making their way to lower altitudes to spend the winter. What better place to do so than the Margalla Hills.

Things started well as one of our group spotted a WHITE-CAPPED WATER REDSTART on the kerbstone by the side of the Margalla Road but by the time we turned the car around it had gone; a good early date for this species. We were keen to reach the spring as soon as possible but it was, as always, difficult not to stop to look at various birds en route. The most obvious were the 15 or so KALIJ PHEASANT that we saw in two groups as they crossed the trail; some lingering by the side of the path. Another good bird was a LESSER WHITETHROAT of the subspecies Sylvia curruca althaea that breeds in the north-western mountainous areas of Pakistan and winters in peninsular India. So this one was stopping off on Trail 5 before making its way further south.

A passerine on the edge of the trail turned out to be a female WHITE-CAPPED BUNTING, a winter visitor to the Islamabad area. We were to see two more of this species later at the spring. Both GREY TREEPIE and RUFOUS TREEPIE were seen on our walk, both as raucous as ever. As we walked deeper into the valley we realised that the bushes were filled with birds, mostly large flocks of roving ORIENTAL WHITE-EYE. These are always worth checking as other species do associate with these flocks during winter. With one group was a good number of the diminutive GREY-HOODED WARBLER. Associated with another group of White-eyes was a small party of WHITE-CHEEKED BUSHTIT. A good look is required to distinguish this species from the other two species of Bushtit that occur in Pakistan but it’s not too difficult.

Other warblers in evidence were a large number of COMMON CHIFFCHAFF; another winter visitor. We gave them all a good look in case one of their scarcer cousins, the Mountain Chiffchaff was amongst them but it was not the case. Movement in the bushes by the track associated with a rapidly repeated “tutt” call gave away the location of a BLYTH’S REED WARBLER, a common passage migrant through these parts and it provided some half-decent views.

BLACK REDSTART has started appearing in Islamabad gardens recently so it was no surprise to see a stunning male of this species along Trail 5. With most people busy celebrating Eid with their families the consequently deserted walk was full of birdlife. GREY BUSHCHAT has now taken over from PIED BUSHCHAT for the winter and huge numbers of WHITE-CHEEKED, HIMALAYAN and RED-VENTED BULBULS were in evidence.

Trail 5 Spring Site of the Whistler's Warbler Grimmo

 However good the birding it was the spring that was to provide the best birding experience of the day. Things kicked of quietly with a pair of BLUE WHISTLING THRUSH chasing each other around the glades. A BLUE-THROATED BARBET called from nearby and there were several GREENISH WARBLER hunting for insects. Later a pair of VARIEGATED LAUGHINGTHRUSH bathed in the stream and several GREY TREEPIE also descended to use the water. A couple of WHITE-THROATED FANTAIL entertained us with their fly catching antics and a superb RUFOUS-BELLIED NILTAVA put in a brief appearance. However, it was a flash of yellow with an accompanying loud whistle-like call that caught our attention. Having never seen this species before but having examined the paintings in field guides and photographs of the species I knew exactly what it was; a stunning WHISTLER’S WARBLER. Arguably, one of the most rare birds in Pakistan this diminutive little sprite provided us with stunning views down to a few feet. The black stripes at the sides of the crown and obvious yellowish eye-ring gives the bird a surprised expression, like someone raising their eyebrows. The yellow underparts shone in the darker areas of the dell. The upperparts were green with one obvious wing-bar and another much less distinct. The fine bill was a pinkish colour as were the legs. To say we were excited about this discovery would be a dramatic understatement. The WHISTLER’S WARBLER, of course, was a lifer but it was also species number 314 on my Pakistani List.

You might be forgiven for assuming that Whistler’s Warbler is named after its whistle-like call. However, it is actually named after British amateur ornithologist Hugh Whistler who was born in 1889 and later served in the Punjab police up until 1926 during which time he was stationed in Rawalpindi and Jhelum. Whistler later wrote the Popular Handbook of Indian Birds.

Another winter visitor to the Margalla Hills was a BAR-TAILED TREECREEPER that we watched as it crept, mouse-like, up the trunk of a nearby tree. Another RUFOUS-BELLIED NILTAVA was seen during our return walk and two STRIATED PRINIA were opposite the interpretative centre close to the start of the trail. There are many species that I had looked at in the field guides dreaming that one day I might see them. Whistler’s Warbler was certainly close to, if not, at the top of that list. 

An Interesting Caterpillar on Trail 5 Grimmo