Birding Islamabad

With an apparent lack of birds seen along the Trails of the Margalla Hills National Park above Islamabad, possibly due to the unseasonably warm winter or the sheer number of visitors now using the footpaths; we decided to extend the search criteria for new species.   On 5 February 2021, ZR and I made an early morning start and headed towards Abbottabad along the new CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) and we reached our planned destination, a valley 20km north of Nathia Gali in about 70 minutes.            We started our birding along the stream winding its way through the valley wooded with pine trees. It didn’t take long before we heard the loud call of a Spotted Forktail ( Enicurus maculatus ). Once we located the chorister, I managed to take a photograph of this stunning bird. We noted many Green-backed Tits ( Parus monticolus ) and some Warblers that we didn’t see well enough for specific identification.   Spotted Fork...

Swabi Birder got lucky in the worst ever migration to Margalla Hills National Park Hello everyone, this is  Swabi Birder  from Islamabad. When I look back at the time it’s about twelve years that I have been photographing birds in Pakistan and my ability to find birds in the Margala Hills is much recognised at every level.    I can’t forget the golden time when  Islbirder  and I would witness birds everywhere in Islamabad. Water points and shrubs, trees and trails, everywhere you could listen to birds calling and see them flying around.   NOW I am terribly upset this year about the seeming lack of winter birdlife. I may not know the exact reason what might have done that. It might be change in migration pattern or the amount of people rushing on to trails in national park with BBQ stands and audio players. Golden Bush Robin female (Swabi Birder) Anyways amid all this, I decided to move to the place called Angoori. This place is famous for birds of pre...

Great news! Following an enforced, extended  layoff I can reveal that Swabi Birder is back in the field with his camera, photographing the outstanding birds that can be seen in and around Islamabad during the winter months. I have uploaded the latest shots below and Swabi Birder   describes his exploits below. In these difficult times for everyone we hope that you can enjoy the holiday period in whatever way you are allowed to do so. Happy Christmas! Hello Friends,  Swabi Birder  is back with you after long time. Hoping you are all well. Many other years have been associated with disease but 2020 is considered possibly the worst. I was already struggling with my businesses in Pakistan and COVID-19 brought us all to our knees. Hope is something that will keep us alive and ready for better times ahead.   So I decided to pick up my gear and keep myself isolated in the forests, besides my strict working area. As always the Margalla Hills, come first for me, so duri...

Swabi Birder has been out and about around Rawal Lake again this weekend. If you look closely at one of the photographs he took below you will see a clue as to why Rawal Lake has such magnetic properties for migrating wader species. Hatching flies can be found in enormous numbers and they are consumed in huge quantities by hungry birds refuelling during interruptions to their journeys. Common Redshank and a Kentish Plover Common Sandpiper fly catching? Ruddy Shelduck Kentish Plovers in full breeding plumage and a Temminck's Stint

Spring is in the air and so are migrating species of waders and where better to look for them than around the shores of Rawal Lake. On Sunday 11 March 2018 Swabi Birder visited this stretch of water just outside of Islamabad and he wasn't disappointed with the variety of wading birds he managed to photograph. Keep your eyes open as it is a good time for a rarity to drop in! Wood Sandpiper Common Greenshank Kentish Plover Green Sandpiper Left to Right: Wood Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Little Egret A moody photograph of Little Cormorants

Hello readers, Swabi birder had a busy weekend with the birds in Margalla hills and Rawal Lake.  Sunday 4 March 2018 was a lovely sunny day, with the onset of spring in the Capital. Flowers have carpeted the parks and the lakeside. The amazingly green Islamabad is blooming these days. Grey-headed Canary Flycatcher I, along with Mrs Swabi birder, decided to walk in the woodland at Kharian village to avoid the crazy traffic that has started in this capital city over the past years. My wife an ideal life partner, who encourages my interest she has developed a liking for the birds and I am happy that I have added another birder to the list in Islamabad. I remember Islbirder used to go birding with Mrs Islbirder.   I am trying to keep the tradition of my best buddy going on. I hope the readers will appreciate that. Citrine Wagtail Migratory birds and waders are on the move and the lakeside is an interesting place to visit. Spring is in the air and birds are call...

Hello readers, this is Swabi birder sharing the most unforgettable experience of our birding day at Rawal lake. During the weekend ending on the 24 February 2018, Islamabad had a few rain showers. Excited about migration, the team decided to look for birds at Rawal lake. Our Team member ZR was out early on Sunday morning scanning the shores of Rawal lake. I was having a lazy Sunday, when I got a call from him about the presence of Indian Skimmers in the area. The feeling to find a Lifer is always fascinating and within no time I was all set to leave for the lake along with my birding friends. Walking slowly along the rocky bed of the lake, which was once filled with water was nervy, but then I spotted the two beautiful, Indian Skimmers flying towards our side. Their acrobatic flight was a treat to watch. They would fly in the sun, come back to the lake, flying with other birds and kept flying the whole time of our stay at the lake. The pair was absolutely beautiful in their ...