Breeding Barn Swallow

Week 23, 03 June 16 - Jahra Pool Reserve

I had arranged a trip to Boubyan Island and got to the meeting point at Jahra Pools early so I could have a quick look around.

There were reports earlier in the week of breeding Barn Swallow and I was able to locate and see a number of nests with at least 2 having adult birds sitting on eggs/chicks. This is a pretty exciting breeding record for Kuwait for a migrant species.

Active Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) nests

Driving slowly around the reserve, I found a male Little Bittern hunting quietly and patiently in a quiet pool.

Male Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)

Caspian Reed Warblers were pretty vocal in the reeds with nest building in progress or imminent

Caspian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. fuscus)

A juvenile Namaqua Dove was seen, brood of summer 2016?

Juvenile Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis)

An unexpected Marsh Sandpiper was found foraging in a shallow pool - perhaps it is over summering?

Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)

Also unexpected as it is more typically a winter visitor, was a male Northern Shoveler

Male Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

A pair of Little Ringed Plovers were quite vocal and for sure they should breed in the reserve this summer, finding their nest or young is another challenge all together.

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

Finally, as I was leaving, a White-tailed Lapwing flew up from behind some reeds and was quite agitated. It was confirmed a few weeks later, that they too bred in the reserve this year which is really great news.

White-tailed Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus)

It was now time to meet up with the rest of the team for the visit to Boubyan.