June 11, 2007

11 JUN 2007, Khovd - A. Braunlich

When searching in some thorny bushes for a nest of Isabelline Shrike early this morning I heard the subsong of a Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler (Rusty-rumped Warbler; species no. 208 for Khovd since late October 2005). As so often with Locustella warblers it was rather confiding (I got closer than the minimum focus distance of my binoculars) and at the same time skulking, very difficult to get good views. A few hundred meters further another bird was in full song, invisible in some reed-like willow coppice.


Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler. Photo © A. Braunlich


Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler. The white spots
to the tips of the inner webs of the tertials are clearly
visible (…but not much more…). Photo © A. Braunlich

The White-crowned Penduline Tit was seen again, this time collecting nesting material. And again a Eurasian Oriole was present, now singing - may be a territorial bird. Other birds seen/heard included a flock of 4 Oriental Turtle Doves, a singing Greenish Warbler, a very late migrant Olive-backed Pipit, and a fine Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush.

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush. Photo © A. Braunlich

No comments: