The Western Desert Calls

Week 30, 28 July 2012 - Al Abraq

Although it is still a little too early for 'autumn' migration, I though I would check out the oasis farm at Al Abraq, so another early wake-up call to get there while the temperatures were still bearable.

The sun was rising, just after I had turned off the main road to drive west to the farm and at the same time, the lights started going out on the highway to the Salmi border

Desert sunrise

Hoopoes are normally the first migrants to arrive as they probably dont have to fly that far, I saw around 3 or 4 during the morning

Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

A single Tawny Pipit was found foraging in a small patch of cultivated land

Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)

A single Ruff looked a little out of place walking along one of the farm roads

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)

The pool at the entrance to the farm provided a place for this White-throated Kingfisher to catch fish at it's leisure.

White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

A last drive around the farm, wilting in the heat produced a small flock of Black-headed Buntings with one adult in moulting plumage (a record shot ruined by heat haze) and the rest were probably first year birds.

Adult Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala)

1st year Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala)