Usual Suspects at Green Island

Week 11, 12 March 2013 - Green Island and Sharq (Click to enlarge image)

After dropping my son at school, I had an hour for a quick stroll around Green Island just off the Corniche. It was a fine Spring morning and great to hear the resident birds in song.

It was the usual mix of Eurasian Collared Doves

Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

Laughing Doves

Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis)

The entertaining White-eared Bulbuls

White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus l. leucotis)

and the less common or obliging Red-vented Bulbuls

Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)

The Ruppells Weavers are still present and easy to hear and find on the Island. Mr. Ruppell was quietly enjoying the fruits of the flower on the Bottlebrush Tree

Male Ruppells Weaver (Ploceus galbula)

However, Mrs. Ruppell wasnt having any of this; "How is that 4th nest coming on Ruppell, it's been 2-days since I tore down your 3rd useless attempt?"

Female Ruppells Weaver (Ploceus galbula)

Coming Dear!

Now, where should I build this final nest (hopefully) to keep her quiet once and for all?

The only migrants seen were this Lesser Whitethroat

Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca)

and a chance sighting of 3 Red-rumped Swallows passing by overhead in amongst some Pallid Swifts

Red-rumped Swallow (Cecropis daurica)

I stopped briefly at Sharq Harbour to photograph the Common Black-headed Gulls which are now all in full breeding plumage, prior to their departure

Common Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) in breeding plumage

There was also some interesting interaction between a Great Cormorant that had picked up a dead fish and was swishing it about to get the excess water off, when it suddenly slipped out of it's beak. Quick as a flash, this Gull (not sure of the ID) was onto the free meal and was away before the Cormorant could react and it really had me smiling.

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) with breakfast

Oops, I dropped it....

Don't worry, I've got it

Thanks, see ya!