Water, water everywhere

Week 45, 31 October 2012 - Jahra Pool Reserve (Click to enlarge image)

We received the great news earlier this week that the water supply problem to Jahra Pools Reserve had been resolved and the pools were almost all filled; this is great news for the tail end of Autumn migration and the winter visitors.

Here are a few images to show why Jahra Pools is a special and critical site for both resident and migratory birds.

The main pool

Main Pool

The other pools that were filled this week, expanding the habitat for birds

New pool

New pool

The early morning pre-winter light was great for photography and sitting quietly at the main pool, I was able to see and photograph

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)

A 1cy Daurian Shrike

1cy Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)

Winter plumage Black-necked Grebe with it's blood red eyes.

Winter plumage Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

As well as the usual Little Grebes, the young I had photographed some weeks back almost all grown up now and competing for their own territories

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Find your own territory

and a Great Reed Warbler that was foraging in some recently cut reeds. These phragmite reeds seem to grow at lightning speed and need to be managed to ensure that they don't choke the available open water.

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

A slow drive around the reserve produced a Red-spotted Bluethroat foraging next to the road

Red-spotted Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

My first European Stonechat for this winter

European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

The usual White Wagtails that have now completely replaced the departing Yellow Wagtails at this time of year

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Overhead 5 Steppe Eagles soared gracefully on their way south

Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis)

I saw a lone Western Cattle Egret and these birds have a very special place in my heart; as they symbolise my connection with my late Dad. They seem to "pop" up in the most unusual places and times, often when I least expect it - my Dad's way of saying that I'm still here!

Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Water Pipits have made a welcome arrival and will stay until the end of winter.

Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)

Without much more to be seen on this tranquil morning, I headed home contented.