Thick-billed Pigeons

Thick-billed Green Pigeon
by Fred Rowe

For the first four hours of today it was dry so took the opportunity to get out and headed to the nearby temple, lots of birds around many drying themselves off in the sun. Around the temple car park a large flock of at least 35 Thick-billed Green Pigeons were present in dead trees. Lots of birds were coming in and out of the same tree including Maroon Oriole, four Greater Racket-tailed Drongo and an Oriental Hobby which scattered all the pigeons.

A fast moving feeding party along the temple steps, included at least two Sulphur-breasted Warbler, 3 Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Lesser Racket-tailed Dronge, 3 Yellow-bellied Warbler and at least a dozen Striped Tit Babbler. From the lookout at the highest point of the temple two Amur Falcons headed north, six Mountian Imperial Pigeons flew over and a distant Great Barbet was scoped up. Also present around the temple were calling Drongo and Banded Bay Cuckoo, two Blue-bearded Bee-eater, 4 Violet Cuckoo, Grey-crowned Warbler and four Grey-backed Shrike.

Very little on the move yesterday with 8 Amur Falcon north, 5 Black Baza, 3 Grey-faced Buzzard and an Oriental Honey Buzzard south. Nothing on the move this morning with heavy rain again starting by 1030am.