European Sparrowhawk & Passerines Share the Same Water Source

It’s been now almost seven years that RMK is regularly visiting the Margalla Hills to find new birds and share the images with the readers. This winter is going to be exciting, as the only water source is being shared by the Eurasian Sparrowhawk and the migratory birds both.                                                     

The drama continues when the birds set in for the bath and drink and then, the ghost appears from nowhere and chase them. The hawk may be driving the birds away but I am waiting for my kind of a shot, where the bird of prey attacks a small bird and the cycle of nature is completed.

Cinereous Tit
Green-backed Tit

Over the weekend ending on 30 October 2017, we found that leaves have started changing their colours and accompanied by my new colleague Abdullah Khan, ZR and myself scanned the area quickly. We thought this time beside birds, we will find some mammals also. We found some lovely birds in woodland and along Trail 5.

Female Rufous-bellied Niltava

Hume's Leaf Warbler
Oriental White-eye
The team was lucky to find the female of Rufous-bellied Niltava, after seven years and a lifer for myself. On the other hand, Islbirder and myself once took many months to find the endangered Whistler’s Warbler. This time I am lucky that I am having some good time with him. The White-throated Fantail is our good friend, she is generous and shows up every now and then.

White-throated Fantail
Red-billed Leiothrix

The Red-billed Leiothrix and the warblers keep themselves hydrated and often jump in to the pond. A pair of Scaly-breasted Munia was found eating and bathing in the sun.


Scaly-bllied Munia (Male & Female/Immature)
I believe that the presence of Sparrowhawk over Trail 5 is making a difference and the birds have become more skittish but I believe, as the water source shrink, they will dangerously grab their chance of drinking from the diminishing shared pond.

Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler
Female/Immature Rock Bunting

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