Beskrivelse: The Mongolian Finch was seemingly difficult to connect with in eastern Turkey in May 2012. Two days of extensive search in the lava fields between Serpmetas and Tendürük Gecedi and above the palace at Ishak Pasa were fruitless.
However, at least three birds (two males and a female) were found in a wadi east of Zernek Baraji SE of Van Gölu. The birds were found on the southern slope of the wadi about one km. east of the road/bridge directly below where a HV power line crosses the wadi. Exact location is shown on this link:
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=38.345325,43.767192&ll=38.345695,43.767643&spn=0.011932,0.026157&num=1&t=h&z=16
The male was seen collecting nest-material so it’s believed that they were breeding close by. Hopefully this wadi will be a reliable site for the species if it’s not present in the lava fields NE of Van Gölu. The site is also mentioned be Malling Olsen in his 2005-2007 report, but has by mistake been reported as west of the road/bridge, not east which is the correct location.
The exact same spot also held a pair of both Trumpeter Finches and Crimson-winged Finches, giving us a unique opportunity to simultaneously study three of the four species on page 391 of the Collins Guide. Furthermore the same wadi also held several pairs of Finsch's Wheatear and Grey-necked Bunting, and a breeding pair of both Long-legged Buzzard and Egyptian Vulture. Our mid-day visit in strong breeze and clear skies also produced two Nigthjars and several Rosefinches, a hint of the sites potential for resting migrants. At only a 45 minutes drive SE from Van city, the site is a must for anyone visiting eastern Turkey.
The political situation in the area seemed to be very stable at the time of our visit. We had no problems reaching the site and even travelled further south to the wetlands south of Yüksekova without experiencing any problems with military/Jandarma or others.
Beskrivelse: Possible Cape Gull Knifiss Lagoon. Notice white mirror on P10 only, broad white trailing edge to the wings, apperently dark eye and possibly olive tinged legs. Upperparts also appers darker than the Great Black-backed Gulls photographed the same day. Any comments to the identification are most welcome.
It surely looks like eighter a kelp or a cape gull as the mirror on p10 and broad trailing egde rules out GBB. But when is comes to kelp (dominicanus) vs cape (vetula) (considered conspecific by some) it gets more difficult. The white mirror is hard to use as a clear indicative, but the dark eye, the olive tigned legs and the appearent flat crown point towards cape gull. Other indications are the very dark back as you mention, but the lower mandible also shows an obvious angle at the gony spot, which points towards cape. Any more pics of this gull?
Silas
I've just uploaded two more pictures of the same bird. Both new pictures are of low quality so I'm not sure if they will be accepted by the netfugl admins.
I just read the paper by Olof Jönsson in the latest Birding World. It's evident that both Cape Gull(s?) and Great Black-backed Gulls are still present in the Khnifiss Lagoon. Access to the lagoon has also improved during the last year as there has been built a new visitor centre along the gravel road just before the old wardens house. Entrance is 10 DH. We paid 350 DH for a two hour boat trip on the lagoon.
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Beskrivelse: Three of at least five birds present in the lagoon, presumed male to the right. The birds favoured the same island that held breeding Cape Gulls in 2009.
Primary pattern and leg color is strongly suggesting Great Black-backed Gull, Cape Gulls have however been reported at the same spot quite resently. Any comments to the identification are welcome.
Beskrivelse: One of at least five birds present in the lagoon. The birds favoured the same island that held breeding Cape Gulls in 2009.
Primary pattern and leg color is strongly suggesting Great Black-backed Gull, Cape Gulls have however been reported at the same spot quite resently. Any comments to the identification are welcome.
Beskrivelse: Supprisingly the first documented record of Plain Swift in Morocco according to the Moroccan Rare Birds Comittee (MRBC). The MRBC must be the fastest working RC in WP, publishing the 2011-report last week!
http://go-south.org/08_Go_SouthBulletin/gsb_9_13-32.pdf
Uploadet 2012-01-11
Publiceret
2012-01-11Apus unicolorPlain Swift
Regner med at du forstår norsk Carsten. Kanariseiler (Ensfarvet Sejler) har en meget uklar status i Marokko. Det rapporteres jevnlig om funn, så gar skal arten hekke i nørheten av ibis-kolonien ved Tamri. Men ifl. MRBC er dette den første fuglen som er dokumentert fra Marokko (strengt tatt okkupert Vest-Sahara).
Fuglen ble bestemt på generell mørk drakt helt uten lys strupe flekk. Den var også slankere og med dypere kløftet stjert sammenliknet med gråseiler.
Det andre bildet er forøvrig av samme fugl, samme dato og samme sted. Kunne en administrator være snill å rette opp info på det bildet?
Mange tak, TOR,
og tillykke med den 1. doku - flot!
PS:
SVENSSON anfører, at arten '...flyver gennem trækronerne'!
Hører gerne om oplevelser af dét.
Greitt ........ Yours C.
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