25 August 2015

Wilting in the sun

Week 30, 25 July 2015 - Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City

Today was a scorcher and was tough for both the birder and the birds.

After my obligatory McDonald's breakfast stop, I spent a little time at the degraded reed habitat which the desert is slowly reclaiming. No birds at all in the reeds, but there were a few Slender Skimmers


Slender Skimmer (Orthetrum sabina)
A single Arabian Spiny-tailed Lizard was seen in the desert area


Arabian Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis)
as was a few juvenile Laughing Doves


Juvenile Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)
A trip off-shore on the boat produced just a Bridled Tern


Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus)
and a single Socotra Cormorant


1st year Socotra Cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis)
In the inter-tidal zone on the coast, I found a few Mud Dweller crabs 


Mud Dweller (Macropthalmus Depressus)
And a Common Greenshank that came past at speed


Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
I explored a few other areas with some habitat, White-eared Bulbul's were seen sheltering deep inside cover to keep out of the direct sun and probably a little cooler.


White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus l. leucotis)
I think this is probably Upcher's Warbler, but I didn't get to see all the features to be 100% sure.


Probable Upcher's Warbler (Hippolais languida)
Driving through some exposed desert area, I flushed a small flock of Cream-coloured Coursers that were standing in the shade of a very small bush. Once I had driven past, they all came back (as there was very little shade to be found anywhere)
Cream-coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor)

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