Day Out: 5th Dec, 2010
That is what Tommy Pederson wrote on UAEBirding.com after seeing the Taiga Flycatcher in Sila. Is it the same bird that I saw on the second plantation day before yesterday? I am not sure. I checked my field guide for Middle East. There is no Taiga Flycather on it. That means its a real rare bird in here.
That is what Tommy Pederson wrote on UAEBirding.com after seeing the Taiga Flycatcher in Sila. Is it the same bird that I saw on the second plantation day before yesterday? I am not sure. I checked my field guide for Middle East. There is no Taiga Flycather on it. That means its a real rare bird in here.Just came back from Sila day before yesterday after twiching for Khalifa's Black-throated Thrush. Thinking of driving another 700+ kms itself was a tiring. At the same time I dont want to miss this golden oppertunety. I may never see a Taiga Flycatcher in UAE. Its a real rare bird.
Called Khalifa to see if he is going. He said he will be starting by 12:30 from Jebel Dhana as it is a working day for him.
Oscar has reported a Pied Stonechat at Mirfa. Stopped at Mirfa Park only to be thrown out of it. Reason given? No camera is allowed inside the park! Amazingly simple reason. I knew there is no point in fighting with them. So I continued my trip.
Reached Sila around 11:00AM. The first place to visit is the park. I want to locate the Eurasian Wryneck. If I can see it, it's a lifer for me. Spend almost three hours in the park. Saw a Common Kestrel and a load of Pipits. But no sign of the wryneck. Another set back.
The next place to visit is the small plantation. When I reached there I found the visiting swedish birder Brent Larsson. He just saw the Taiga Flycather. Khalifa reached soon. Brent wants to see the Black-throated Thrush. Before he left he asked us about his chances of seeing a Egyption Nightjar. Recommended him Watbah Camel Racetrack as the best place to see Egyption Nightjar. Told him that I stay close to the place and if he wants any help asked him to call and gave him my mobile no.
Myself and Khalifa started twitching for the Taiga and in 20 minutes or so we found the bird. It's very difficult to photograph as the bird is always moving inside the bushes. Managed a couple of shots we left the place. Khalifa went back to Jebel Dhanna as I continued my trip back to the park
to see if I can locate the Eurasian Wryneck. Spend another hour and I saw the bird. But before I could move my camera the bird just vanished into nowhere. It's a lifer but for me i need to have a decent photograph. Searched for the bird for another 20 minutes but in vain.
Oscar has reported a Pied Stonechat at Mirfa. Stopped at Mirfa Park only to be thrown out of it. Reason given? No camera is allowed inside the park! Amazingly simple reason. I knew there is no point in fighting with them. So I continued my trip.
Reached Sila around 11:00AM. The first place to visit is the park. I want to locate the Eurasian Wryneck. If I can see it, it's a lifer for me. Spend almost three hours in the park. Saw a Common Kestrel and a load of Pipits. But no sign of the wryneck. Another set back.The next place to visit is the small plantation. When I reached there I found the visiting swedish birder Brent Larsson. He just saw the Taiga Flycather. Khalifa reached soon. Brent wants to see the Black-throated Thrush. Before he left he asked us about his chances of seeing a Egyption Nightjar. Recommended him Watbah Camel Racetrack as the best place to see Egyption Nightjar. Told him that I stay close to the place and if he wants any help asked him to call and gave him my mobile no.
Myself and Khalifa started twitching for the Taiga and in 20 minutes or so we found the bird. It's very difficult to photograph as the bird is always moving inside the bushes. Managed a couple of shots we left the place. Khalifa went back to Jebel Dhanna as I continued my trip back to the park
to see if I can locate the Eurasian Wryneck. Spend another hour and I saw the bird. But before I could move my camera the bird just vanished into nowhere. It's a lifer but for me i need to have a decent photograph. Searched for the bird for another 20 minutes but in vain. Not a bad day. End of the day I missed two lifers, the Pied Stonechat and the Eurasian Wryneck (again). Drove another 750 kms.
At the same time, I got a very very rare bird as far as United Arab Emirates is concerned: The Taiga Flycatcher.All photos in this blog is copyrighted to Shah Jahan. Please do not use it without written permission. For more information please contact sjahanmi@gmail.com.
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