Make another plan

Week 22, 02 June 2012 - Jahra Pools Reserve (JPR) (Click on images to enlarge)

This weekend we had planned a long time in advance to visit the southern islands of Kuwait, islands I had not yet visited. Unfortunately the weather man didnt get the memo and most maritime activities were cancelled due to high winds and of course dust - what would Kuwait be without dust?

The bad weather was not a deterrent for me very early Saturday morning - in fact it was clear blue sky, but still with very strong winds. I hadnt been to JPR for sometime and also wanted to see the progress on the new roads within the reserve.

There was much construction activity within the reserve, but the new roads are taking shape. Water pipes have also been provided, so that water for JPR can now be better controlled and more areas within the reserve can also now receive water, so good for birds and birders all round.

I was quite suprised to find an adult European Roller on one of the quieter roads, out of the gusting wind

Adult European Roller (Coracias garrulus)

The most common species in the pools were Black-winged Stilts - also staying near the reeds for shelter

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

One of the larger pans near the fence had a few 'marsh' terns who seemed to enjoy the blowing wind as they hawked insects off the surface. Almost all were White-winged Terns in full breeding plumage

Breeding plumage White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)

But I did pick up a single Whiskered Tern amongst the White-winged Terns.

Breeding plumage Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida)

I was fortunate to get in a little birding, despite the challenging conditions when suddenly the blue sky disappeared and the dust came rolling in, all the way from Syria according to Satellite images and stayed this way for 3-days!