23 December 2019

Jahra Pools keeps delivering

Week 51; 21 December 2019 - Jahra Pools Reserve

I had to work most of the weekend, but keenly followed the progress of visiting international birders who came during the week and weekend to twitch the Waterhen and Sunbird. 

Yesterday the 8th White-tailed Eagle and possibly the 2nd Pale Martin (pending confirmation) were found at JPR by our visitors. Finally I managed to get to JPR late this afternoon for 90-minutes birding before sunset.

At the big pool I had two female Western Marsh Harriers actively hunting

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)


No sign of any ominous looking raptor in the woods, but I did have a 'pair' of White-tailed Lapwing at one of the smaller pools - the looked good in the late afternoon light

White-tailed Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus)



Down at the beach, the tide was a zillion miles out, but there were a couple of Greater Spotted Eagles already roosting at the edge of the low tide zone, with a large flock of Greater Flamingo's as a backdrop

Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga)

Two Gull-billed Terns were quite active over the beach 

Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica)

Although a long way off, I noticed up to 6 Greater Spotted Eagles appearing a little agitated in amongst the reeds where the outfall flows into the sea, some flying in and then out again. Others just seemingly jostling amongst themselves. However, one of the Eagles was larger than the others, but it was only when I checked my images on my computer could I confirm this was indeed the White-tailed Eagle - not an ideal sighting by any stretch of the imagination. Hopefully it stays till next weekend and gives better views

Greater Spotted Eagles (Aquila clanga) and White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) on the right

By now, the sun had disappeared, so I had to exit, stopping for this Greater Spotted that was roosting on the side of the road. I had 13 Greater Spotted Eagles that had come to roost for the night in the reserve, not all happy that the White-tailed had decided to do the same.

Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga)

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