Birding Islamabad

December isn’t a bad month for birding in Islamabad but this time of the year can be a terrible time for birds of Margalla hills.   The only water source that used to attract all the birds and mammals of the National Park has dried out. I am on the move to put in water drums at the place to keep the birds coming to the same spot. Having this type of situation on the trials, the Team has decided to move deep in to the Margallas and find new sources of water. This time I was accompanied by friends from diplomatic enclave. They are all keen birders and have enjoyed the trip. A Winter Wren (aka Northern Wren) a great find in the Margalla Hills While walking along the fields, Swabi birder found a Wren, a lifer and a very uncommon species in Pakistan. It took me almost 30 minutes following him in the bushes and the stone walls. Very vocal and cheeky bird, very hard to photograph. I remember once, when I was in UK I kept chasing it and couldn’t get a shot of it. I believe islbir

Hello Readers, I hope you are welcoming the coming winter. Islamabad did not receive any rain for over a month now and it’s still warm, dry and dusty. Me, Swabi Birder, Zr and AK had a wonderful weekend with birds in different areas of Margalla Hills National Park. Our journey always starts at 0545 hours in the morning and then the whole day is spent watching the spectacular wildlife and birds of Islamabad. Male (above) and Female Rufous-bellied Niltava The water sources have diminished along Trail 5 and in Kharian village amongst woodland. So far, we have seen only one Rufous-Bellied Niltava visiting us on the stream at Trail 5. However, a Rufous-breasted Accentor also showed up on the stream beside the Warblers bathing in a side pond. Rufous-breasted Accentor Lemon-rumped Warbler White-cheeked Tit Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler The Thrushes, common in winters haven’t yet arrived, as the weather is still quite warm, with haze and smog in the city.

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

Hello readers, Islamabad has witnessed its first winter rain this weekend and the arrival of migratory birds has started. However still the summer birds share the same places and are preparing for long tiring flights to their new home. Me, RMK and ZR from Islamabad wish them safe flight, I was wondering if I will be able to catch-up with my timings with the birds this season? Yes, I think I will have some lovely times with the winter birds, as my latest visit to Trail 5 in Margalla Hills has motivated me to keep moving. On October 22, 2017, myself and ZR planned a visit to the Trail and there was a mixture up of summer and winter birds. The Asian Paradise Flycatcher was still around and enjoying the thick forest of National Park. Asian Paradise Flycatcher Oriental White-eye The warblers and Oriental White-eyes were busy bathing in the stream, while the black-chinned Babblers and Red-billed Leiothrix were not showing much. This happens every year. The winter birds take