The
weather here in Islamabad is certainly warming up with this weekend peaking at
a very hot 44 degrees Celsius. Contrary to popular belief these temperatures do
not curtail all birding activity. As I write this blog two PURPLE SUNBIRD are busy building a nest in the garden and ORIENTAL WHITE-EYE and ORIENTAL
MAGPIE-ROBIN are drinking from the water we provide. On Saturday 18 May 2013 we
decided on an early start to reach the Eastern shoreline of Rawal Lake by
sunrise. We just about made it! The first birds observed were a male GREATER
PAINTED SNIPE out in the open and a COMMON KINGFISHER perched very close to
where we had parked. There were still plenty of WHISKERED TERN at the lake;
some loafing on the temporary gravel islands and others busily fishing.
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A Flock of Whiskered Terns Sarel van Zyl |
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Whiskered Tern in the Early Morning Light Sams Photography |
A
decent-sized group of flying waders caught our eye. They typically acted like
new arrivals apparently desperate to alight but again took to the air at the
nervousness of one of their number. That number was 54 and the waders in
question were TEREK SANDPIPER. It had been a year and six days since I had seen
my last Terek Sandpipers in Pakistan at the same location. This flock was more
than double the size of the previous. After more jittery take offs and landing
eventually the flock settled to feed and rest. Most preened frenetically; more
evidence that were recently arrived passage migrants. Nevertheless, this record
represents a most unusual inland occurrence. Like the last time photographers
were present to record the event for posterity. Amongst the Tereks were a few
LITTLE STINT; a nice addition and contrast to the few remaining TEMMINCK’S
STINT.
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Newly Arrived Terek Sandpipers Sams Photography |
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Terek Sandpipers (can you spot the Little and Temminck's Stints? Sarel van Zyl |
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Some of the 54 Terek Sandpipers that arrived Sams Photography |
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Some more of the Terek Sandpiper flock Sarel van Zyl |
There
was circumstantial evidence that BLACK-WINGED STILT are breeding or attempting
to do so. As HOUSE CROW overflew the area a Stilt would rise to challenge them.
One such sortie was dramatically caught in the below photograph. As normal for
this time of year at this location the air was full of the song and display
flights of ORIENTAL SKYLARK, PADDYFIELD PIPIT and ZITTING CISTICOLA. There were
only a couple of CITRINE WAGTAIL but they were particularly bright birds.
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Black-winged Stilt Defending its Nest from House Crow Sarel van Zyl |
There
were several late NORTHERN SHOVELER and more expected several pairs of
GARGANEY; all looking particularly impressive in the clear early morning light.
A thorough checking of the WHISKERED TERN flock resulted in a full
summer-plumaged WHITE-WINGED TERN, a stunning bird both at rest and in flight.
The Birds of Pakistan calls in a “rare but regular visitor” but as with so many
species in Pakistan, how many birders are looking for them?
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Adult White-winged Tern Sarel van Zyl |
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White-winged Black Tern with Whiskered Terns (one immature) Sams Photography |
Another
wonderful surprise on the Tern front was a LITTLE TERN in breeding plumage.
This was a great find and yet another new species in Pakistan for Islbirder.
Again the photographers never fail to impress me. As soon as I exclaimed
“Little Tern”, they were onto it with and produced the handheld shots that are
reproduced below. I am so pleased to know these guys because, if not, I am sure
the number of new species were turn up at Rawal Lake would be treated with a
certain amount of scepticism!
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Adult Little Tern Sarel van Zyl |
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Adult Little Tern about two seconds later! Sams Photography |
Amongst
the flooded grassland in the North-east corner of the lake was a
PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA. This species possibly breeds in the area but I have
never recorded any young. As
the sun climbed higher above the horizon we decided to check Jinnah Road Marsh.
The BAYA WEAVER had returned in strength and many were engaged in repairing
their nests from the previous season.
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Black-winged Stilt Sams Photography |
As
there was so much activity the previous day, on Sunday 19 May 2013 we returned
to the Eastern shoreline of Rawal Lake. As expected the TEREK SANDPIPER flock
had moved on that is with the exception of three individuals that had decided
to linger. There were five LITTLE STINT two, in particular were sporting their
beautiful chestnut mantle colour, I must admit I did think for a couple of seconds "Red-necked?" The WHITE-WINGED TERN was still present but
the LITTLE TERN had gone.
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Little Stints Sams Photography |
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Pheasant-tailed Jacana Sams Photography |
However,
the one PHEASANT-TAILED JACANA had increased to three. There were around 40
BLACK-WINGED STILT including one limping individual that had a jet black crown
and nape. Research suggests that this colour variation is sported (but not
always) by adult females of the species.
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Black-winged Stilt (colour variation) Sams Photography |
Today
was another of those occasions when I was so pleased to be accompanied by one
of my photographer friends. Not just for the photos he produces but also for
his wit and repartee! It went like this whilst scanning with my bins “GREY
HERON, and another, LITTLE EGRET x ten, twenty WOOD SANDPIPER. A GREENSHANK and
blimey, not one but two GLOSSY IBIS!” The lens, that wouldn’t look out of place
at Joddrell Bank, swung into action and although we were distant the results
appear below. Both were adults and only the second and third I have seen in
Pakistan.
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Adult Glossy Ibis Sams Photography |
Another
surprise was to see a late adult CASPIAN GULL at rest on a tiny area of exposed
gravel in the middle of the lake. The identification of large white headed gulls is a complex problem; especially as we did not see this bird in flight. If anyone has alternative views I'd be glad to hear them. So, no new birds for Pakistan today but one
cannot complain with three in a week as I close in on my 350th
species! Once again many, many thanks to RMK and SvZ without whose superb
photographs this Blog would be very boring indeed.
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Adult Caspian Gull Sams Photography |
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Adult Black-crowned Night Heron Sarel van Zyl |
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Eastern Cattle Egret in breeding plumage Sams Photography |
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Little Egret Sarel van Zyl |