Chasing The Terns.

The trip begins at 05.30AM in the morning. I went there with Khaleb, Derry and my youngest brother Yosafat. This is the first time for Yosafat to go birding in his history although he has seen some good species before. To reach the location, it takes around one and half an hour because of the heavy morning traffic. When we arrive, we’re welcomed by the call from Zitting Cisticola that was very common there and from its cousin the Golden-headed Cisticola altogether with the Small Blue Kingfisher.

One of many Zitting Cisticola.

The Terns flock from a distance.

The last two species is my Big Year ticks. Not long after that, we found our target. At the same time Me and Yosafat are preparing our camera while Derry and Khaleb walks to the other side of the pond looking for Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler. A new species for Derry’s life list.

Derry looking for his target.

Khaleb and Derry become upset. :P

We spend around 2 hours in the pond documenting the Terns, what makes it more interesting is they start to change into their breeding plumage although some of them still their winter plumage.

Later on,

Whiskered Tern in breeding Plumage.

Non-breeding plumage version.

In moult White-winged Tern.

White-winged Tern in moult.

White-winged Tern in moult.

In flight White-winged Tern.

Derry with Khaleb back to our place and with a bit upset they say that they didn’t find their target although it sounds very close. When we’re about to leave, Derry saw 2 Milky Stork soared in the distance. Although a bit far, we can see that big white bird with its yellow long bill. Another tick for me, Yay!!!!!!.

Two Milky Storks.

After that, we heard the call from Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler. Just like before it sounds very close. We wait and try the playback few times, but still it never shows up. Then, I saw 2 Small Blue Kingfisher perched on the tree behind us. I decide to take out my camera and take few pictures as a record. At the same time I saw small movements on the same tree, and we find out that the movements come from the Arctic Warbler, and Golden-bellied Gerygone. Arctic Warbler is a regular winter visitor for Java Island.  Again, those two birds is another add for my Big Year. After that, we end our trip as the dark cloud coming toward us.

In the end of the day I got 7 new ticks for my Big Year list. Although some pictures isn’t good enough, but still I really enjoy the trip because finally my youngest brother become a birder. And we got Checkered Keelback or Asiatic Water Snake as a bonus.

non-breeding White-winged Tern diving.

White-winged Tern in breeding plumage.