SBWR 22Nov08

From KH

One Nordmann's Greenshank was still at SBWR today, but at the end of the mangrove boardwalk close to Hide 2E. I observed it for 15 mins (11:30-11:45am). Similar to last weekend, it was feeding constantly, traversing the shoreline, but this time in the company of Common Redshanks. Then a Water Monitor appeared flushing the bird and I failed to locate it after that.

Other not so common waders include 7 Great Knots and 2 Terek Sandpipers.

Raptor-wise:
1 Japanese Sparrowhawk
3 Black Bazas
1 Osprey
1 falcon-like raptor (it flew over some waders, but surprising the waders only screamed and did not flush)
2 adult Brahminy Kites

Non-avian creature-wise, I chanced upon a wasp capturing a cricket. It all started when I felt something on my right foot and when I looked down, a wasp was over a cricket and the cricket crapped on my foot! Could it be that the cricket was paralyzed, hence it was unable to control its bowel motion?

After shaking them off, the two separated and I could see the cricket make a few slight twitches on the ground. However, the wasp was soon over it again. The cricket was dragged around for a few minutes before the wasp took off with it. Was the wasp trying to find a hole to bury the cricket? Do they locate a suitable nesting hole before finding a prey, or do they find a prey before locating a nesting hole?

I've heard of wasps capturing prey to lay their egg(s) in it, but to see this in action is really fascinating!