02 February 2020

Almost, but not quite!

Week 04; 24 January 2020 - Abu Hassania

I had planned to try and see the Sunbird in the afternoon, but it wasn't possible today. So I checked the dense wooded area close to the residence where the Sunbird has been seen.

This is a deserted area along the beach where there were once some houses, but they are all uninhabited and have fallen into ruin - but it is pretty undisturbed and an ideal site that could produce a good bird. On the way in, had some Asian Grass Blue butterflies.

Asian Grass Blue (Zizeeria karsandra)


I checked some dense bush and my heart almost stopped when I saw a large black and white bird hopping about in dense foliage. It took quite some stealth and time to get clear views - Oriental Magpie-Robin. Sadly the consensus is that it is an escape, as they are quite common cage and aviary birds, so a Cat E tick.

Oriental Magpie-Robin (Copsychus saularis)

There are large numbers of White-eared Bulbul at this site, with many congregating in the trees to catch the late afternoon sun.

White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis)

Down on the beach I entertained myself with some BIF of the Common Black-headed Gulls feeding over the outfall (or sewage flowing into the sea to call it as it is!). Some are starting to show signs of the black hood coming through..

Common Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)




Walking back to the car, a Heuglin's Gull passed by overhead

Heuglin's Gull (Larus f. heuglini)

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