There is a nip in the air at JPR

Week 49, 27 November 2012 - Jahra Pools Reserve (Click to enlarge image)

I was able to spend a few hours at Jahra Pools on this clear and brisk morning. The temp has certainly dropped and with the stiff breeze it was welcome from those searingly hot summer days a few months back.

A couple of good birds have been seen at the reserve, especially now that water supply is restored which has also been supplemented by a little of the rain we have enjoyed in the past week.

Driving along the fence line of the reserve, I found Daurian Shrike

Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)

European Stonechat

European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

and Siberian Stonechat showing the white base to the tail feathers

Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus)

A Great Crested Grebe has been in the reserve for about a week. Previous records have all been in the Gulf, so great that it was in the reserve making it easier for the birders to see and photograph. It was sheltering from the wind behind some reeds, together with 5 Black-necked Grebes

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) and Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

Their feet are almost too obscenely big for such a serene and graceful bird

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

I disturbed a second Daurian Shrike that was feeding on a small Warbler it had just killed. With patience it eventually returned to retrieve it's breakfast and disappeared into the depths of the reeds

Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)

With breakfast

I was pleased to see that 2 of the Long-tailed Ducks were still present in the pool I saw them a few weeks ago

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)

I heard some Ducks call overhead and not long after that a flock of 5 Tufted Ducks landed in the pool with 2 males in eclipse plumage

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)

I drove slowly back to the main pool near the gate finding the other 2 Long-tailed Ducks feeding very close to the road - unfortunately they took off as soon as they saw my car.

Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis)

The first year Little Grebes are now almost all grown up

1cy Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

The adult seemed not to associate with them anymore, so I guess it is the case of your'e big enough to find your own food and territory

Adult Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Western Marsh Harriers were seen flying low over the reeds and then rising and quartering in the hope of flushing an unsuspecting bird.

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

Here a Black-necked Grebe flying to some cover

Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

So, some great birds in these fresh conditions and a clean sweep on the Grebes.