INDONESIA (LESSER SUNDAS) REP 10 - Birdquest
INDONESIA (LESSER SUNDAS) REP 10 - Birdquest
INDONESIA (LESSER SUNDAS) REP 10 - Birdquest
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Javan Pond-Heron Ardeola speciosa: Regular observations, particularly at Benoa, Bali, where at least<br />
40 were noted (nominate race). Many were in full breeding plumage.<br />
Little Heron (Striated H, Green-backed Heron) Butorides striatus: Two at Benoa, two at Pan Muti, and<br />
one near Komodo Eco Lodge.<br />
Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax: Two flying over at Benoa Harbour, Bali.<br />
Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus: Jürgen flushed two for us at Watumbelar, Sumba.<br />
THRESKIORNITHIDAE<br />
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus: Two that Sieghard spotted at Menggitimbe were a surprise.<br />
Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia: At least 13 of these predominantly Australasian birds at Pan Muti;<br />
some in company with pelicans.<br />
ACCIPITRIDAE<br />
Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata: Great views of three displaying at Watumbelar on Sumba, brief<br />
views of pairs at Bipolo and Camplong, and three at Oelnasi. Lesser Sundas race<br />
timorlaoensis.<br />
Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus: Two at Bipolo (hypoleucos).<br />
Black Kite Milvus migrans: Small numbers of affinis in central and west Sumba, and at Pan Muti, near<br />
Bipolo.<br />
Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus: Regularly seen (intermedius).<br />
White-bellied Sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster: Regular sightings, particularly in Komodo NP.<br />
Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus: Singles of the nominate race were seen at Langgaliru, and over<br />
ricefields, at Oelsau, near Kupang.<br />
Swamp Harrier Circus approximans: A juvenile female was seen very well, perched and in flight, at<br />
Menggitimbe, Sumba. This is one of the first to be seen in Asia.<br />
Chinese Sparrowhawk (C Goshawk) Accipiter soloensis: An adult and juvenile at Langgaliru and<br />
another adult on the way to west Sumba on our last day on the island.<br />
Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus: Three at Watumbelar, mostly in flight; tjendanae.<br />
Variable Goshawk Accipiter hiogaster: A nice male sylvestris was scoped on Komodo, before it<br />
dropped to some unseen prey. The form in Australia and Tasmania is normally considered<br />
a separate species now: Grey Goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae.<br />
Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus: The best year yet, with a pair seen really well in flight in the<br />
Bipolo-Pan Muti area, a juvenile at Rana Mese, and a single adult at Pagal. This is the<br />
distinctive race renschi, which some people are mooting as a distinct species. It is smaller<br />
and more heavily marked than its distant mainland relatives.<br />
Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii: An adult was seen well in flight at Rana Mese in the Flores<br />
highlands.<br />
Flores Hawk-eagle Spizaetus floris: Only a 35 minute wait this year, before we all had long but<br />
distant scope views of a single perched individual. Restricted to the islands of Flores,<br />
Sumbawa, Komodo and Paloe, it surely ranks close to the Philippine Eagle.<br />
FALCONIDAE<br />
Spotted Kestrel (Moluccan Kestrel) Falco moluccensis: Many observations of this widespread little<br />
raptor (microbalia).<br />
Australian Hobby (Little Falcon) Falco longipennis: A pair at dusk at Bipolo, with one in the scope.<br />
Race hanieli.<br />
Peregrine Falcon (Peregrine) Falco peregrinus: Singles at Yumbu and Menggitimbe on Sumba. This is<br />
the resident race, which actually differs from ernesti and is currently unnamed.<br />
ANATIDAE<br />
Wandering Whistling-duck Dendrocygna arcuata: About 170 at Menggitimbe and 14 near Labuan<br />
Bajo.<br />
8 <strong>Birdquest</strong>: The Lesser Sundas 20<strong>10</strong>