Systemmatic list - part 16: Larks and Hirundines
Fischer's Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucopareia [1]
Very unexpectedly, the only Lark positively identified this trip was a Fischer's Sparrow-Lark: 1 between Dzalanyama and Lilongwe 24th.
4 Sparrow-Larks seen in flight 3-4 miles from this one might have been the same species, but were probably more likely Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Larks Eremopterix leucotis. This area proved good for larks on my 2008 trip too, with a single Fischer's seen among several Chestnut-backed, but viewing them was harder this time with the crops not yet harvested.
Other larks seen elsewhere but only briefly in flight were left completely unidentified.
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Fischer's Sparrow-Lark, between Dzalanyama and Lilongwe, 24th May 2011
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Brown-throated Martin (Plain Martin) Riparia paludicola [3]
3 Lilongwe beside the road out to Dzalanyama 24th.
Rock Martin (African Rock Martin) Ptyonoprogne fuligula [34]
30 Johannesburg Airport 14th, 2 Zomba Plateau 17th (nesting at Susannah's friends' house) and 2 Chongoni 25th.
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Rock Martin, Johannesburg Airport, 14th May 2011
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Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii [20+]
The most widespread hirundine:
1 Zomba 15th, 2 Cape Maclear 18th-19th, 2 Otter Point 18th, 2 Mangochi 19th, 1 along the entrance to Lengwe 21st and up to 10 Liwonde 25th-27th.
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Wire-tailed Swallows, approach road to Lengwe, 21st May 2011 (left) and Liwonde, 25th May 2011 (right)
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Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica [27]
2 along the approach to Lengwe 20th, 20 there 21st and 5 Dzalanyama 22nd.
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Lesser Striped Swallows, approach road to Lengwe, 21st May 2011 (left) and 20th May 2011 (right)
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Lesser Striped Swallows, Dzalanyama, 22nd May 2011
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Eastern Sawwing Psalidoprocne (pristoptera) orientalis [>30]
Up to 20 Zomba Plateau 15th-17th and up to 4 Dzalanyama 22nd-24th.
Some authorities treat this form as a race of Black Sawwing.
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Eastern Sawwings, above Ku Chawe (Zomba Plateau), 16th May 2011
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Eastern Sawwings, Ku Chawe (Zomba Plateau), 17th May 2011
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