Pipit Flock at Rawal Lake Included Buff-bellied
The second of two really early mornings in a row found us at the eastern shoreline of Rawal Lake watching the sun come up. Whilst the high water level of the lake is frustrating due to the lack of waders we hope duck numbers will be up this winter as a result. Sadly, we could not get the star birds of today on film. In amongst a large flock of Anthus were WATER PIPIT, PADDYFIELD PIPIT, ROSY PIPIT, in their bold plumage and at least two BUFF-BELIED PIPIT. Amongst the Pipits were a few Wagtails, both WHITE WAGTAIL and YELLOW WAGTAIL.
COMMON KINGFISHER is always a fabulous sight, they can prove to be so photogenic and when the sun shines they are displayed in all their glory.
 |
| Common Kingfisher Riaz |
RMK had a very good day with the camera and Kingfishers were his subjects. The following two shots are wonderful examples of how bird photographs can become pieces of art. The hovering PIED KINGFISHER was frozen in time and the intricacy of its plumage is beautifully displayed.
 |
| Pied Kingfisher Riaz |
Capturing a bird's reflection in still(ish) water always adds another dimension to a photograph. Whilst I am more than happy to see an image of a bird doing nothing RMK is always looking for the action shot. The below composition involving a WHITE-THROATED KINGFISHER is such an example.
 |
| White-throated Kingfisher RIAZ |
During these winter days the denizens of the reedbeds need to be on their guard as at least two WESTERN MARSH HARRIER have made the reedbeds around Rawal Lake their winter quarters. As they constantly quarter the reeds small passerines need to beware.
 |
| Western Marsh Harrier Riaz |
Whilst a white bird against a blue sky might be a tricky prospect for the bird photographer the early morning light at Rawal Lake helped RMK produce this lovely portrait of a LITTLE EGRET. By cleverly underexposing the shot the definition of the bird's plumage adds another dimension. The black bill and greenish-yellow feet confirm the identification of this species.
 |
| Little Egret Riaz |
Present in the reedbed and insistent on remaining distant was a close cousin of the Little Egret, the much scarcer INTERMEDIATE EGRET. Helpfully, a GREAT EGRET was also in attendance to allow an easy comparison.
 |
| Great Egret Riaz |
By spending some time in one place and watching what comes, goes and flies by is a good birding ploy and when this FERRUGINOUS DUCK was flushed by a Western Marsh Harries it paid off. Ferruginous Duck, the name describes the colour of its plumage, is a rare winter visitor to Pakistan although in favourable conditions small numbers may breed in Baluchistan. This is, as far as we know, the first record at Rawal Lake since October 1981. However, during the intervening 32 years there have been precious few birders.
 |
| Ferruginous Duck Riaz |
 |
| Bathtime! Black Kite Riaz |
We concluded our morning outing by visiting 'our' Marsh. As the day had progressed things were fairly quiet. However, there was a large party of YELLOW-EYED BABBLER feeding on the autumnal berries alongside the irrigation channel. Unlike some of their tone-deaf relatives Yellow-eyed Babblers are accomplished songsters.
 |
| Yellow-eyed Babbler Riaz |
And finally, a little test of identification skills. This birds was spotted momentarily and opportunistically captured on film. Whilst it provided a head-scratching conundrum our initial thoughts were proved correct by the below image. The darker than normal plumage on this juvenile STREAKED WEAVER was caused by the bath it had just taken. The fact it was also moulting didn't assist!
 |
| We think this is a juvenile Red-mantled Rosefinch (?) Riaz |
