Week ending 23rd October - IRRI

Quite a productive week, with nice weather most days. On Monday a pair of Kentish Plovers had joined the wader flock on the farm, and were mixing with the LRPs, Wood Sandpipers and Long-toed Stints. They were no longer present on Wednesday. The conditions in the fields are perfect for Rallids, and many have been visible all week, often with youngsters in attendance. This seems to be the time of year to see Slaty-breasted Rails, which are visible daily.

On Saturday a fruiting tree on the UPLB section adjacent to the upland farms had flocks of Chestnut-cheeked Starlings, as well as plenty of other fruit-loving species, including a very obliging Striped Flowerpecker.

Barn Swallow posing nicely

Snipe sp. Either Pintail or Swinhoe's.

Pied Bushchat

Adult Slaty-breasted Rail. Very visible at the moment, I'm seeing them daily, similarly to last year. This means that they are either locally migratory (including youngsters), or after raising chicks to a certain size they become much less anxious about being seen.

Juvenile Slaty-breasted Rail

Kentish Plover

Pygmy Flowerpecker in the tree outside my front door

Striped Flowerpecker