The Islands of Sea City

Week 18, 02 May 2013 - Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City (Click to enlarge image)

Earlier this month I was down at Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City where I spent some time monitoring migration on the Islands in Phase A1.

Many migrants were still passing through, but still Red-backed Shrikes made up the majority and there appeared to be a lot of scuffling around their temporary territories

Male Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

The odd Woodchat Shrike was also seen

Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator)

Only female Common Redstarts were seen, the majority of males had already passed through a few weeks back

Female Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

There were good numbers of Warblers, with many Common Whitethroats, but Willow Warblers make up the majority

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

There seem to be equal numbers of Barred Warblers passing through

Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria)

along with Upcher's Warblers

Upcher's Warbler (Hippolais languida)

Two Garden Warbler were seen, my first for this migration, but remained inside the cover of the growing trees

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin)

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins are also now seen in most areas.

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes)

The two best birds of the day were 2 Corn Crakes followed by 2 European Nightjars. Neither of these birds could be relocated after they were inadvertently flushed, despite the small area of the island; so that was a little frustrating to say the least.

A quick trip off-shore produced two Bridled Terns on the buoys, which have returned to our shores for the coming breeding season on the off-shore islands.

Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus)