A Stork amongst the Raptors

Week 41; 09 October 2020 - Pivot Fields

Going to the Pivots means an extra hour sleep (compared to Abraq) to still be at the gate by sunrise.

Pivot Sunrise

I had a quick drive around the farm, finding a single Greater Short-toed Lark in soft golden light

Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla)

and Daurian Shrike, before heading in the direction of the marsh

Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)

I saw a large white bird some distance off in one of the fields - turns out it was just one White Stork that gave a graceful fly by, long before I even got close. It did stay on the farm for most of the morning though

Western White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)

At the marsh I met up with John Gurnett and Jules whilst someone shooting outside the farm put up the small flock of Garganey along with one Shoveler

Garganey (Anas querquedula) and Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

The Great Reed Warbler snacking on a Dragonfly seem unperturbed

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Whilst White-cheeked Bulbul's flew back and forth above the reeds, allowing for a bit of BIF practice with a smaller subject

White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus leucotis)

Both male and female Western Marsh Harriers made periodic sorties over the marsh without luck (at least while we were watching)

Female Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

Male Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

Whilst a Pallid Harrier just passed by

Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus)

I saw a pale Eagle on a distant Pivot, so went to investigate - a fulvescens Spotted Eagle! Even at this farm the Eagles are skittish and 200m is about as close as you can get before they fly off to another perch

Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga c. fulvescens)

Here, one of the 'standard' Spotted Eagle for comparison

Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)

A little later I also had a distant Imperial Eagle

Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)

As it warmed up, a few Buzzards took to the sky. Here a Steppe

Steppe Buzzard (Buteo b. vulpinus)

And judging by the enlarged and dark carpal patch, a Long-legged - but a plumage I am not familiar with?

Long-legged (Buteo rufinus) and Steppe Buzzard (Buteo b. vulpinus)

Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

As there was not much else about and it was still pretty warm, called it a morning