Midweek News

Plain-backed Sparrow

These last two nights I have made brief visits to the local rice paddy in Ratchaburi. It was very quiet on both nights but the farmers are starting to introduce water to the fields so perhaps that will liven things up in the next few weeks. I am happy to say I got a brief view of an Eastern Marsh Harrier flying quite high but at least in the area. This male Plain-backed Sparrow does it for me -  a beautiful small bird and as I have said on a number of occasions it is anything but plain!

There's been a lot happening in the kingdom of birds in The Kingdom of Thailand over last few months. Read all about it on this link to the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand's latest sightings report.

A few years ago I would have considered a long weekend trip from London to Tokyo in order to see a Siberian Crane and Baer's Pochard as the ultimate act of insanity. I am following this actual twitch on Birdforum on this link. The poor guy's flight from Amsterdam to Tokyo has been delayed due to snow. I would be having kittens personally! If my circumstances were a little different I might be tempted myself! Apparently it is possible to get close to both birds as confirmed by some fantastic shots. Now, we have current reports in Thailand of one Baer's Pochard in Chiang Saen in the far north of Thailand, but apparently it is impossible to get anywhere near it. I might be tempted to make a dash for it in March if it is still up there. I really hope the guy scores! Good luck!

Ratchaburi Rice Paddy

Plain-backed Sparrow

Ratchaburi

30.11.11

Fairly quiet tonight in the rice paddy in Ratchaburi.A female Pied Harrier and not much else of note in the 40 minutes or so of daylight. However this Plain-backed Sparrow shot against the ever-ripening rice crop with a setting sun behind me obliged. I have said before this is one species that would be justified in feeling resentful for an apparent misnomer.

Plain-backed Sparrow: A Misnomer?

Plain-backed Sparrow

19.01.11

I have to say how much I am enjoying snatching an hour's birding here and there in my neighbourhood and being able to look more closely at the more common birds. In and around the local rice paddy there is an abundance of these plain-backed sparrows and surely no bird would be more entitled to feel resentful at being given such a misleading name. Plain it ain't! I have to say the field guide drawing doesn't really do these birds very much justice! A real beauty in fact with a degree of considerable subtlety in its plumage.

I did my bit for the kingdom of birds this morning. We found two Scaly-breasted Munia fledglings on the ground close to their nest in our pomegranate tree. I suspect there was nothing more to their presence there than an unsuccessful attempt at flying, as opposed to a predatory attack. So I picked them up and returned them to the nest. I didn't photograph them as it was still dark but they were really tiny but didn't appear too distressed by being handled. I am glad to say just before we left to go to work Mummy flew in hopefully with some breakfast for her cares. Elsewhere we have a Red-collared Dove nicely settled in a lamp holder on our upper balcony and no doubt she will produce a few fledglings in due course.

There is an amazing spectacle to behold on the local rice paddy and no doubt everywhere else in Thailand at the moment. Thousands of domestic ducks are being fattened up on the remnants of the recently harvested rice crop. There is a major increase in the demand for duck during the period of The Chinese New Year which begins on 3rd February this year. (The Chinese New Year is a big event here in Thailand and many businesses will be closed for instance.) The ducks make an amazing sight and indeed sound and sometimes there can be upwards of 10,000 ducks in one flock. I suspect their presence and particularly that of their human minders keeps away the raptors; no doubt one of the key responsibilities of the minders is to chase off birds of prey.