194 : Spur-winged Lapwing

Spur-winged Lapwing - Vanellus  spinosus

A common and widespread lapwing of the turfed plains associating with water bodies of all types. Rather handsome. I saw lots of these birds in Tanzania this Summer while on Safari

My binoculars have well and truly been hung up for a couple of months - I even missed passage season - the cooler weather has set in though and I have that itch and the Task dosn't go away. You can ignore it, forget it, go to work, get embroiled in the rugby season coaching - no use. There at the back of your mind are 10,500 birds and a world just waiting. All it takes is a lunchtime of the BBC website watching a clip of Carmine Beaeaters annd I'm off on one in my head. I am ready for some nature after a good couple of months of "back to school" slog. Christmas is coming and New Years resolutions. Whatever happens 2012 will have been the best year ever for birding and this site (not hard). A trip to India and Tanzania and Sri Baniyas island and Jebel Hafite all throwing up dozens and dozens of life ticks and new birds.

I am going to push through this weekend until 200 (its National Day in the UAE) and then take stock with a top 10 out of 200 retrospective. That should be more difficult to chose. I will also try and make the 200th bird a bird from here in Dubai so I will reward myself with a little foray over to the Pivot Fields or Rhas Al Khor here in Dubai to see whats about.

The Winter is here - the birds are on the move and flying in. Its Daily Bird Time.

Spur-winged Lapwing, Vanellus spinosus
Tanzania, Olakira Camp near the Mara River, Northern Serengetti
July 2012