Hypocolius

for the last few weeks the Hypocolius have been easy to find each morning in the thorns opposite Hamalah/Jasra water plant

Hypocolius

Today Abdulla went out with his nets and ringed 15 birds a tremendous solo effort pictures to follow

We have seen the odd one or two so fat this year but yeaterday was great a flock of several hundred was found in the Acasia trees opposite Jasra water plant

Hypocilius

From the 14th of October I expect to be able to update people with a report on this years return - numbers and roost location being used

I arrived at the Jasra site this morning before 6am hoping to get there before any hypocolius dropped in. To my surprise the place was full of birds. This year they appear to be using the site as a roost, as opposed to a drop in centre like last year. By 8am, Howard and Abdulla arrived and I had counted over 80 birds leaving the area going due northwest. Subsequently another 30 - 40 birds pupped out of the acacia trees.
I got a few poor shots through the wire!

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Juvenile bird
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View of the roost site from the road.

The birds were dropping down onto the ground for some reason. Possibly to drink the dew drops from the vegetation.

This is an adult male bird