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

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

We all managed to view Hypocolius today - in all two flocks 40 plus in Jasra and 40 in flight seen at Hamalah were this mornings counts - this evening over 130 were seen to drop in at Jasra although many were seen to move to the SE later on