Mr and Mrs Rüppell's I presume

Week 05, 01 February 2013 - Green Island (Click to enlarge image)

I had a spare hour before I needed to attend a meeting, so had a brief walk around Green Island on a gloomy and rather drizzly morning.

There were no dates left on the date palms, so no Hypocolius were seen, although the weather may have also played a role.

I did however find the 'resident' Rüppell's Weavers that have been at this site for almost 2-year now; first the female

Female Rüppell's Weaver (Ploceus galbula)

and right behind her, the male

Male Rüppell's Weaver (Ploceus galbula)

The trees were quite barren, so I was able to count the nests the male has made that were still hanging abandoned in the trees - 15 all together. What is interesting, is that it seems it is just this pair present on Green Island - so not sure if fledged juveniles have dispersed or if they have been unsuccessful in breeding?

3 of the 15 Rüppell's Weaver (Ploceus galbula) nests

Also seen was a single Spanish Sparrow

Male Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis)

and this rather dark form or just plain dirty Eurasian Collared Dove

Grubby Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)