Quality at the Pivots

Week 43; 23 October 2020 - Pivot Fields

Last week, we met Christian Meier and I invited him along to the Pivots this morning where John Gurnett and Jules were also birding. We arrived as the sun was rising and then divided and conquered for the morning.

The number of Black-eared Kites have increased dramatically and there were well over 100 birds around the farm and perched on the Pivots.

Black-eared Kite (Milvus m. lineatus)

On the way to the marsh, I had a late Citrine Wagtail

Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola)

Also a Daurian Shrike on a great perch in the early morning light

Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)

At the marsh, a female Armenian Stonechat

Armenian Stonechat (Saxicola m. variegatus)

And an Indian Reed Warbler that just didn't behave like others I have seen at the same location

Indian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. brunnescens)

I then took Dr. Riad to show him where the Northern and Sociable Lapwings were and it seems there are now a few more Sociables. Lack of heat haze in early morning, now it is getting cooler, is a real pleasure!

Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius)

On the way, I found the Indian Roller and managed to get some images, before some shooter on the boundary fence flushed the birds on the Pivot

Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)

Whilst watching the Lapwing's, a Richards Pipit dropped in briefly 

Richard's Pipit (Anthus richardi)

Driving further, I had a great fly by of the Long-legged Buzzard. The last image is a 2nd bird I saw later in the morning

Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

Just one Isabelline Wheatear

Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina)

but still a few Pied Wheatear's

Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka)

and a Tawny Pipit

Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)

By now it was warming up and raptors were starting to appear. I had all 3 big Eagles which was a real treat. There was some interaction on a small tree where a Spotted Eagle was roosting, when two other Eagles came in to try and sit in the same tree

Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) and two Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)

We all enjoyed seeing the magnificent Imperial

Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca)

Spotted Eagle

Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)

and the Steppe Eagle which is the least common at this location

Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)

Driving out, I added a Steppe Buzzard

Steppe Buzzard (Buteo b. vulpinus)

a male Armenian Stonechat, that looked exhausted

Armenian Stonechat (Saxicola m. variegatus)

And a flock of 7 Red-wattled Lapwing

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)