Lockdown - Day 156; Where are the migrants?

Week 33; 14 August 2020 - Pivot Fields

Early morning temperatures are slowly becoming more bearable as we head toward autumn. Once again, I was back to the Pivots after a hectic work week, still working from home.

Just inside the gate, there was a White-throated Kingfisher on the overhead line

White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

I headed to the marsh, as the Warblers are most active just after sunrise - but not quite as much this morning. A few Savi's were still present and to me these are pretty cool Warblers.

Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides)

A young Caspian Reed Warbler was in the mix too

Caspian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. fuscus)

The 'Bumble Bee' flight shot of the male Yellow-crowned Bishop is still eluding me, but I will persevere

Yellow-crowned Bishop (Euplectes afer)

At the back of the marsh adjacent to one of the fields, I had a single Great Reed

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Along with an Indian Reed

Indian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. brunnescens)

A few Western Yellow Wagtails were foraging in the freshly cut grass on the field next to the marsh

Western Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

Sand Martin's alternated between foraging above the marsh and then over the fields together with the Barn Swallows

Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)

A couple of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters had a fly by - most times you hear them before you see them

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)

Driving to the smaller and more open pool, I flushed this Black Kite that took off with its prey - looks like a Dove

Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

Green Sandpiper's were the predominant wader at this pool, I love their diagnostic call

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

Here a Wood Sandpiper in flight for comparison

Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola)

However the bird of the morning were these Caspian Plover's, that were quite obliging

Caspian Plover (Anarhynchus asiaticus)

Leaving the farm, a European Roller on the overhead line, seemed to be contemplating whether to join the assortment of waders for a drink. Not the most flattering angle for this good looking bird

European Roller (Coracias garrulus)