Skanes, Tunisia - August/September 2010 - Part lll

I haven't had any time to get out since getting back so here ase a few more photo's from our trip to Tunisia. I'm not a 100% on the identification of all the birds so if any are incorrect please let me know.
ABOVE BEE-EATER BELOW PURPLE HERON
Over the week we saw small flocks of bee-eater fly over the area but thay never landed so we were unsure what they were until I managed to take several photos as they passed over. The Purple Heron also flew over on 3 occasions and what supprised me was the size of the flock being about 25 birds. I've seen Heronries in the UK but have never seen Grey Heron flying in large flocks.
LAUGHING DOVE
Laughing Doves were frequent visitors to the are but seemed quite shy as soon moved on if there was any movement however far away.
FEMALE SPANISH SPARROW
MALE SPANISH SPARROW
Other common visitors to the pool area were Spanish Sparrows, they are distinguishable from the House Sparrow by their speckled breasts and on the males pale cheeks and chestnut crown.
SPOTLESS STARLINGS
Spotless Starlings could be heard calling every morning and small flocks would gather in surrounding trees throughout the days.
SPOTTED FLYCATCHER
I'm pretty sure these are Spotted Flycatcher, we saw several of these birds around the grounds. One bird would regularly perch on a tree less than 10 feet from our sun beds.
Just the Gulls to go now once I've had time to identify them and we hope to get down to see the Red-backed Shrike at Frodsham if its still around (knowing our luck it will have moved on).

2 comments:

Stuart Price said...

Nice shots, all the IDs seem OK to me.............but what do I know?

I'd love to go to North Africa one time. One day, one day..........

Derek Gallagher said...

More than me Stu and thanks.
I wasn't 100% with the spotted flycatcher as I've only seen one in the UK. Tunisia was great it's just a shame we didn't get out and about a bit more but thats another story!