Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Steals the Show
On Saturday 2 March 2013, we made our way to the start of
the Saidpur Viewpoint Trail on the Margalla Ridge. We had a new member in our
group and we had hoped to find the Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker we had seen at
this location a few weeks earlier. Unfortunately, we did not relocate the bird
but we did see a BROWN-FRONTED WOODPECKER, a pair of BLUE-CAPPED FLYCATCHER and
a group of LONG-TAILED MINIVET.
We made our way deep into the Margalla Hills range to a
valley we had visited before that is unusual in that it contains a mature
woodland that comprises of both deciduous and evergreen trees. In my quest to
find a Kashmir Nuthatch this seemed like a good location; especially as some of
the guys had seen this species at this location in the past. It has to be
admitted that advancing years are catching up with Islbirder and a knee injury
meant that I was Tail-end Charlie as we negotiated our way down the steep rocky
track to the valley. We were soon watching numerous BLACK BULBUL, STREAKED
LAUGHINGTHRUSH, YELLOW-BILLED BLUE MAGPIE and VARIEGATED LAUGHINGTHRUSH. This
valley has to be the best location to see BLACK-HEADED JAY (Known as
Black-throated Jay to an earlier generation of birders). We must have seen 30
or more of these impressive birds.
 |
| Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch Sams Photography |
The small cultivated fields and the nullah running through
the valley were flooded due to the recent heavy winter rains and the large
number of species that gather to drink and bathe at this location were spoilt
for choice. Consequently, the diversity of species we normally see at this
location was not present. Notwithstanding we did see some good birds. A lone
female COMMON CHAFFINCH was in the company of a group of ROCK BUNTING that
included a stunning male. In amongst the sprouting crops was a large group of
BLACK-THROATED ACCENTOR, probably up to 20 in number. There was a small group
of the delightful LEMON-RUMPED WARBLER. As we waded along the course of the
nullah we noticed a small passerine low in the streamside vegetation. When it
eventually came out to bathe we had great views of a female PINK-BROWED
ROSEFINCH. Its small size, tiny bill, long arching buff supercilium and fine
streaking to the upper breast all helped to clinch this identification. Second
Lifer of the day and number 333 on my Pakistan List. We again searched the
woodland with no further Nuthatch sightings until Islbirder’s knee locked up
which was the prelude to an ungainly fall down a slope. Mrs Islbirder later questioned
her husband about how old one has to be when the act of falling over becomes a
fall. Grumpily, I responded older than me! It did serve me right as walking in
the hills was against recent medical advice so I have an admission to make at
my next appointment. As you birders will understand, it was worth it for two
life ticks. As we made our, slow, progress out of the valley we found a small
flock of BLACK-THROATED THRUSH and a pair of SCALY-BELLIED WOODPECKER. Not a
bad morning after all with five Lifers for the new member of the birding group.
