Saturday, June 16, 2007

Black Kite and teams of Bee-eaters

European Bee-eaters (creative commons)

Black kite: Nigel Milbourne

June 15th
Sunbirds and bulbuls : calls in bauhinia about 5 am
Late afternoon walk 21.3 degrees C and falling 25 plus max, 71% rising, 7 kt WNW
Bee-eaters: at least three in orchard hawking low and successfully between the small trees, perching in lower branches to eat
Black-eared Wheatears: Three between bunker ruins and cistern.. either 3 juveniles or 2 juveniles and mom. One foraging on a thistle head. This is interesting since they are normally insect eaters. Perhaps it was looking for bugs in the thistle head? The seeds are very nutritious though and perhaps it was after the thistle seeds.
Bob's family at sapling field... Other Bob, juvenile Bob
Hoopoe 1 at sapling field .
House sparrows, Feral pigeons, Hooded crows: as usual. One HS with feather as if collecting nesting material; Senegal doves: coos; ; Jays: foraging around and over gazelle field as usual; Greenfinches: chee sounds, not much singing; Blackbirds: a little song, foraging; Collared doves: activity as usual pair at cistern with pair of turtle doves; Graceful warblers: vocal. Great tits: Orchard as usual . 1 agama lizard on trunk of a cypress not far from the cistern.

16th June
20 degrees C and falling, 70% humidity rising, 12 knots WNW
We took both young boys aged 9 and 11 to show them the wheatears and the bee-eaters, much admired by the 11 year old, who of course also wanted to show his little brother the water boatmen bugs in the cistern.
Most exciting sighting was a lone Black Kite Milvus migrans seen at 7.15 p.m. over the creek trail. This is only the second time I've ever seen this species here.. last time was 2 individuals hunting together over the north valley back 27 March. Not high altitude, just over the tree tops. A hooded crow flew up to harass and drive it towards the south.
House sparrows, senegal doves, sunbird and bulbul active in Bauhinia shortly after 5 a.m.
Bee-eaters: between 7.20 pm and sunset Over 25 active over orchard, grove to north of orchard, creek path and orchard field. The group moved around from one area to another and were joined steadily by others coming in from the west. They started in the centre of the wood, just about half a dozen of them, moved east over toward the orchard, where they foraged a while, then shifted north over the grove there. For a while they seemed to be having fun perching at least ten at a time on a bonfire like pile of deadwood.. all facing south, taking off in small groups, hawking and coming back there. Toward dusk they took off west again over the woods of the north valley, though a few looped back and caught bugs over gazelle field, others headed north east at a leisurely pace. We saw a few sweep under the canopy between the pine trees. Lots of great views.
Black-eared Wheatears: One male and Mrs. Bob and a juvenile foraging around the saplings. They seem to like to use the top of the plastic tubes around the saplings as perches. (the tubes collect morning condensation which irrigates the young trees..seems to be working, most are growing quite well)
Turtle doves: coos, House sparrows, feral pigeons, Senegal doves, Collared doves, blackbirds, Graceful warblers as usual: Hooded crows, flock (or 'gang', or 'murder' if you insist ) of over 40 birds low over the valley shortly after 7 p.m. : Not unusual for them to congregate in such numbers prior to roosting
Jays, vocal in woods, busy foraging over gazelle field. Gazelle droppings no doubt provide bugs.
Greenfinches: our usual cheery 'canary chorus' towards sunset, plenty 'chee' calls. Stone curlews- some calling from north east. Syrian woodpecker, alarm call near orchard around sunset. No gazelles either day but plenty hyrax seen, one mom nursing her little ones on top of a boulder.

No comments: