An afternoon at JPR with good friends

Week 18, 02 May 2013 - Jahra Pools Reserve (Click to enlarge image)

My friends and collaborators Stam and Aris from Bio-diversity East were in Kuwait for a couple of days and we had the chance to meet and enjoy a few hours birding in the late afternoon at Jahra Pools.

They hadn't visited since Birds of Kuwait was launched and were quite impressed with the upgraded road and water infrastructure in the reserve.

Indeed the water network is the life-blood for this reserve and as a result many species have bred this spring including Mallard and Ferruginous Duck.

We spent the time birding, so not too many photographs were taken. But as expected, Red-backed Shrikes are still predominant, although numbers are now starting to reduce as they continue their journey north.

Male Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

Not too many passerines today, but there were numbers of Common Whitethroat

Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

This Yellow-headed Wagtail stood out from the few others that still remain

Yellow-headed Wagtail (Motacilla f. lutea)

A female Namaqua Dove was seen and is a species that we don't see that often outside of the Pivot Fields (where unfortunately we no longer have access).

Female Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis)

There were quite a few juvenile Little Grebes in the various pools

Juvenile Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

As well as around 5 Garganey, the male is quite stunning in breeding plumage

Male Garganey (Anas querquedula)

The Black-winged Stilt still appears to be sitting tight on it's nest - so hopefully the young are coming soon

Nesting Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

For those that have read my earlier posts, you will know that the Cattle Egret holds a special place in my heart

Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

A Spotted Crake was a good bird for Stam and Aris

Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana)

However, the bird(s) of the day for all of us was finding a pair of Purple Swamphens with their two juvenile birds (another JPR breeding record) - just venturing out into the open. The adults were a little nervous, so soon ushered the young back into the reeds.

Juvenile Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio  porphyrio)

Adult and juvenile Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio  porphyrio)

But, that was a great sighting to end the day and to again say cheers to Aris and Stam until their next visit.