More wind and dust

Week 34, 23 August 2012 - Jahra Pools and Sharq Harbour (Click to enlarge image)

I took a days leave and visited Jahra Pools early in the morning in strong gusting wind and dust - so pretty unpleasant overall.

Nevertheless, there were some birds about although many were sheltering inside the reeds or keep low to keep out of the 40 - 50km/h wind.

Aside from the Yellow Wagtails, a few Black-headed Buntings were found sitting quietly at the base of the reeds.

Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala)

A single Woodchat Shrike was also seen out of the wind in the reeds

Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator)

No other passerines were seen, so I concentrated on the waders feeding around the pools. I just missed a Broad-billed Sandpiper that flew off before I could get my camera up - a good tick for Jahra Pools and generally not an easy bird to find. A Dunlin was a new species for this autumn, still sporting it's breeding plumage

Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

Both Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

And Common Ringed Plover were seen

Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)

An assortment of Black-winged Stilts which bred at the reserve this summer were seen on most of the pools

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

I found a small flock of Pied Avocet, which were very skittish

Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)

As were the flock of Garganey, as there were two shooters on the perimeter of the reserve shooting at birds inside. I was encouraged when the sub-contractors building the pipeline on the perimeter of the reserve, made an effort to chase or apprehend the shooters with one of the JPR guards.

Mixed flock of Garganey (Anas querquedula)

A single Collared Pratincole was also seen.

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola)

By now the inside of my car, my kit and I were all covered in white dust, so it was time to depart. A quick stop at Jahra Farms produced........nothing!

On the way home I passed Sharq Harbour and saw quite a few large white-headed gulls circling over the Dhows in the strong wind. So, I made a stop and got my mornings gym hand-holding The Beast to get some in flight images of moulting Steppe Gulls

Steppe Gull (Larus f/h. barabensis)

As well as a single Heuglins Gull. By this time I was in need of an Egg McMuffin meal before going home to valet the car and clean all my gear.

Heuglins Gull (Larus f/h. heuglini)