ML274685001

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Five distant birds flew past and into the distance over Chaka salt lake. Fortunately they turned back and pitched down about 2 km into the distance. Then a huge flock appeared, probably 200 or more, and landed in the same area. We were back into the bus and when we couldn’t drive any closer, we set off across the desert and soon located the flock on the ground, still distant but the diagnostic chestnut facial feathering and dark belly patched nailed the identification. As we crested a rise the flock of marvellous Pallas’s Sandgrouse were just 50 metres distant and not unduly perturbed by our presence. We soaked them up for 20 minutes before leaving them in peace. An estimated 250+ birds seen both in flight and at rest in semi-desert east of Chaka. Although well scattered during the breeding season, it seems clear that after the breeding season this region proves particularly attractive to this species with large numbers gathering.

Technical information

Model

NIKON D70

Lens

300.0 mm f/4.0

ISO

200

Focal length

300 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/4.5

Shutter speed

1/1600 sec

Dimensions

1279 pixels x 756 pixels

Original file size

588.85 KB