A recent record of Cambodian Tailorbird from the Bassac Marshes

 

On 11 June 2014 (dry season) at about 6:55 AM, more than 2 Cambodian Tailorbirds were seen in inundated grasslands with scattered trees and scrub in Bassac Marshes, Kandal province, Cambodia. I was about 15 m from it and only obtained one photograph of it. I found it when I was trying for the Blue winged Pitta (Pitta moluccensis) by using a broadcast with 20s of recorded song of the Pitta. On 21 August (flood season), I came back to the same location, but I did not see them that time. Water level in the Bassac Marsh then was about 1.2 m.

This species was found in mixed group with Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier), Sooty-headed Bulbul(Pycnonotus aurigaster) and Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis).

Record from Duy Le, posted by RvZ

Steppe Eagle at ATT

Yesterday a large eagle circled overhead while I was working in the southernmost area of Ang Trapeang Thmor reservoir grasslands. It flew in close enough to make some relatively good photos (see previous blog about an eagle at ATT). I believe it is an immature Steppe Eagle. It may be the same individual as seen earlier. If it is, the moult has progressed, but not completed yet. Pens are still bare at secondary/tail tips.

Markus Handschuh saw the first recorded Steppe Eagle for Cambodia in Tonle Sap grasslands in 2010, but was considered unconfirmed in Frederic Goes's checklist. Hopefully it can now be added to the list of eagles that overwinter in Cambodia.

Also what's probably a juvenile Pied Harrier flew by:

RvZ