Migrants trickle in

Week 32, 11 August 2012 - JEO, SAANR and Jahra Farm (Click image to enlarge)

The weather was pretty good all week; very hot (of course), clear skies and no wind and for once this remained for the weekend althugh the wind picked up a litttle.

I started out early and passed by Sulaibikhat, stopping near the Maternity Hospital where there was a large flock of 1st year Slender-billed Gulls feeding on the water near a small outfall.

1st year Slender-billed Gulls (Chroicocephalus genei)

At the Manchester Club, any birding enjoyment was disrupted by this group who were trying there best to shoot the Gulls and Flamingos where they would just be left, this during Ramadan. Disgusted and disheartened, I left for Jahra East Outfall

Shooting at the Flamingo's and Gulls

Sadly, there were good numbers of shooters here to (why was I not suprised?) - well migration has started, so this relentless and senseless shooting will continue until migration ends. I found a quiet'ish spot on the Outfall and enjoyed the Warblers flitting through, although seldom static. This did not stop a car with a shooter pull up behind me and take a shot at something before driving off again - despite seeing me with a camera sticking out of my window - the mind just boggles at this absolute lack of respect. The usual Warblers (including Basra) were still about and I photographed Great Reed Warbler

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

One of the many Eurasian Reed Warblers

Eurasian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

and one of the Indian Reed Warblers

Indian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. brunnescens)

I did also see a few Rats around the waters edge at the reed base and I'm sure these are responsible for some predation of Warbler young

Rat

I then headed for the sanctity and quietness of SAANR and found a few migrants that are now trickling in. A flock of European Bee-eaters were around for a short time before heading off. As was this adult and 1st year Common Whitethroat seen in the shade of an Acacia tree

Adult Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

1st year Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

A single European Roller flew in for a drink before disappearing into an Acacia to escape the heat

European Roller (Coracias garrulus)

On the way home, I though I would see what state Jahra Farms was in since it lost it's water supply some months back - conflicting reasons had been given as to why it was turned off. Nevertheless, water had been restored and the farm was not quite up to full capacity, but starting to look good - so that bodes well for returning migrants. A lot of Warblers were drinking from the holding pond near the entrance; including Great Reed Warbler at full stretch

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler

Easter Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna pallida)

and Upchers Warbler

Upchers Warbler (Hippolais languida)

A couple of White-eared Bulbuls also enjoyed a quick bath before returning to the palm tree to preen and try cool down.

White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus l. leucotis)

There are a few cats on the farm which probably account for a few mortalities of exhausted migrants

Local feral cat - looks friendly, but not..

Another much younger Upchers Warbler was seen

Upchers Warbler (Hippolais languida)

As was this 1st year Bank Myna

2012 Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginianus)

The 1st year White-throated Robin took some patience before I finally was able to get a frame filling image.

White-throated Robin (Irania gutturalis)