Another Star-studded Weekend at Rawal Lake

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.


A Flock of Whiskered Terns Sarel van Zyl

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.

Newly Arrived Terek Sandpipers Sams Photography

Terek Sandpipers (can you spot the Little and Temminck's Stints? Sarel van Zyl

Some of the 54 Terek Sandpipers that arrived Sams Photography

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.

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?

Adult White-winged Tern Sarel van Zyl

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!


Adult Little Tern Sarel van Zyl

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.

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.

Little Stints Sams Photography

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.

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.

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 350^th species! Once again many, many thanks to RMK and SvZ without whose superb photographs this Blog would be very boring indeed.