Big Sky Country

Week 01, 31 December 2013 - Al Abraq

In hindsight I should have gone out yesterday, but once you are up, you are sort of committed. As it was still dark when I left, the heavy clouds weren't that noticeable, but the lighter it got, the more apparent they became. Nevertheless, I pushed on to Al Abraq in the optimistic hope that something interesting might have arrived.

The gate was still closed, so I enjoyed the dramatic sunrise in this big sky country.

Dramatic clouds on this last day of the year

Finally, I got into the farm and circled the farm a few times, finding a few Water Pipits

Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)

and a couple of Meadow Pipits that have been around for a couple of weeks

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)

Both Redstart's were still present, but I was only able to get images of the female Western Black Redstart.

Female Western Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)

By now, the wind speed had increased, so I decided to head back into the brewing dust storm. I found the male Common Chaffinch which I had seen on my last visit, in one of the fields - so a bird of colour to end what has been a long and testing year.

Male Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

A very happy New Year to my family, friends, fellow birders and bloggers who have followed my birding stories on this Blog. I hope my posts have given a feel and insight for the avian life in this Land of Sand. 

May 2014 be all that you wish for and more.....