Spotted Owlet Steals the Show


On Sunday 20 January 2013, we again visited the eastern shoreline of Rawal Lake. On the approach, a BLACK SHOULDERED KITE watched us from its telephone wire vantage point. The LAGGAR FALCON on a rock close to the water’s edge appeared to be the same bird that we had seen flying through the area the previous day. Two RUDDY SHELDUCK were on the water and the only other ducks present were nine MALLARD.

There were a few CITRINE WAGTAIL near the shoreline and although lacking the extensive yellow colouration of the breeding season, what colouration there was around the ear coverts and upper breast of these birds was still impressive. A single YELLOW WAGTAIL of the race Motacilla flava beema was a nice comparison. There were also a few WHITE WAGTAIL of the race Motacilla alba dukhunensis that completed the checklist of Wagtail species that were present.

Pretty much all the species we had seen the day before were again present but we had the added pleasure of seeing a WESTERN MARSH HARRIER.

Western Marsh Harrier Sams Photography
During the late afternoon we visited Ankara Park, where we saw the SPOTTED OWLET that is pictured below. The photographers had a field day with this accommodating and photogenic bird.

Spotted Owlet Sarel van Zyl
Whilst walking through the reeds on the northern shoreline of Rawal Lake we found this INTERMEDIATE EGRET, which is, you’ve guessed intermediate in size between a Great Egret and Little Egret. If only all birding was so simple!

"It's tiring being an Owlet" Spotted Owlet Sams Photography





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