A quiet morning in the West

Week 34, 24 August 2013 - Al Abraq (Click to enlarge image)

David White and I decided to drive out west to Al Abraq to see if any numbers of migrants had arrived.

I guess the absence of shooters (which is a good thing) highlighted that migrants were yet to arrive in numbers at this oasis farm. Nevertheless, we were there and enjoyed the solitude of this unique area.

There were many Warblers in the reeds at the pool near the main house, but also a Whinchat.

Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)

We opted to walk around the farm rather than drive and found Lesser Grey Shrike

Lesser Grey Shrike (Lanius minor)

A fly-over by a single Black Kite

Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

3 species of Wagtail; Yellow, Grey and two Citrine Wagtail at the elevated reservoir

Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola)

A Byzantine Stonechat (note the pale unstreaked rump) was seen near the crops, this is a female - perhaps they arrive before the males?

Female Byzantine Stonechat (Saxicola m. variegatus)

A small flock of European Bee-eaters were sitting in the top of a dead tree and one individual had caught a large wasp that beat repeatedly on the branch to ensure it was finally safe to eat.

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

As with other areas, there were some Dragonflies about. I have not seen this species in the East - but still don't know the identification.

Unidentified Dragonfly

This one is one of the Emperor's (perhaps either Vagrant or Lesser?) and is probably the largest Dragonfly found in Kuwait - it is quite impressive.

One of the Emperor Dragonflies

One of the Emperor Dragonflies

We will be back again in September when numbers and diversity should be quiet different than they were today.