Exploring a new area

Week 19, 07 May 2013 - Doha Area and JPR (Click to enlarge image)

One of the KEPS Members had told me about an area near Entertainment City where he had found Indian Silverbill. I have seen this species many times around the Gulf, but it has eluded me in Kuwait.

I spent about 90-minutes in the area which has some good habitat in a fenced area that is currently not accessible, but is probably where the Silverbills are more likely to be found. No luck with the Silverbills, but with time I should find them, however a pair of Yellow-throated Sparrows was reward enough for the time spent.

Yellow-throated Sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocollis)

I then moved to Jahra Pools (although mid-morning light was not ideal for photography) and saw that many of the Curlew Sandpipers are now sporting their brick-red breeding plumage

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) in breeding plumage

There was only one Dunlin present, but I was able to get a record image of it together with a Curlew Sandpiper for comparative purposes

Comparative image of Curlew Sanpiper (Calidris ferruginea) and Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

There were still good numbers of Red-necked Phalarope in one of the main pools, this one taking a break from spinning around

Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)

In previous visits I had only seen male Little Bitterns so it was good to see a female this visit. With the favourable and stable water conditions at JPR through the winter and spring, there is a good chance that this species may be breeding in the dense reed beds.

Female Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)

Cook hair!

Numbers of White-winged Tern were present today, some roosting on the sand bank and others feeding over the pools

White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)

A single Daurian Shrike was unexpected as most have already moved on..

Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)

Spotted Fly's are now relatively easily seen in suitable habitat

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Hey Dad!

Western Cattle Egret (Ardea alba)