Yesterday I spent a few hours out at the farm. The wind was a bit blustery and I was hopeful a few early migrants would be starting to appear. New species for me at this spot so far this spring were a fleeting glimpse of a Eurasian Hoopoe flying overhead and better views of a Marsh Sandpiper feeding at one of the irrigation storage dams. Marsh Sandpiper There were several Wood Sandpipers to be seen. Here is one in the early morning light. Also feeding were a party of seven Black-winged Stilts I managed to get an image of the Red-wattled Lapwing that has the injured leg. It seems to be mending nicely. This Black-headed Gull had been flying back and forth over the dam and then landed on the road to rest for a bit. This possible Siberian Stonechat, popped out of nowhere and landed close to me I sat and watched a Daurian Shrike which was perched near the dam and then carrying out sorties over the water to capture dragonflies out of the air. It would then return to the perch to devour them. It caught and ate 5 over a half hour period before flying off to try its luck elsewhere. Look at the one image where it appears to have caught two in one attempt, perhaps they were flying tandem? I moved away from the water and drove around the fields to see what I could find. A Crested Lark, a resident breeding species to be found everywhere. A Common Kestrel tucked up nicely out of the wind behind this succulent shrub. A flock of Spanish Sparrows flying over the fields. There is some irrigated barley ripening which I am sure they are starting to tuck into.
1 Comment
Pat Korrubel
19/2/2014 05:52:57 pm
Stunning Photographs. Just back from 20 day Natal Tour with Japie. We also recorded Marsh and Wood Sandpipers.
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