Birders and shooters

Week 32, 08 August 2014 - Al Abraq

A trip out to the west before my long overdue vacation back to South Africa. The journey west was shortened with the good in car conversations with Markus Craig and Neil Tovey.

We were hoping for a productive morning, but it was spoilt by a group of young shooters who were 'trespassing' on the farm and who didn't take kindly to us asking them to climb back over the fence. We photographed all of the Licence Plates to report to the relevant authorities.

Once they had left the area we were able to walk and enjoy some passage birds which were understandably skittish.

Like the last visit there were numbers of 1st year Black-headed Buntings 

1st year Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala)

and a small flock of 3 Rose-coloured Starlings

1st year Rose-coloured Starling (Pastor roseus)

We had our first Spotted Flycatcher of this autumn

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

A scuttle in the leaf litter gave a fast moving Schmidt's Fringed-toed Lizard

Schmidt's Fringed-toed Lizard

Again we found the solitary Afghan Babbler and again it did its best to keep its distance from us

Afghan Babbler (Turdoides c. huttoni)

When it got a little too hot, we opted to drive around the farm, finding Isabelline Wheatear snacking on an invertebrate

Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina)

and a Greater Hoopoe Lark in the same area as the last visit

Greater Hoopoe Lark (Alaemon alaudipes)

here a Blue-throated Agama trying to keep cool

Blue-throated Agama

After my visit to Sea City tomorrow, the next stop for me is a few days in the lowveld enjoying the delights Kruger National Park and no frigging shooters; just like minded people (both residents and tourists) who love, appreciate and respect nature!