Much of the same

Week 05, 31 January 2014 - Al Abraq

I managed to get out to the oasis farm for a few hours in the hope that there might be one or two late winter or early spring species since the last visit.

Unfortunately, this was not to be the case and most birds seen were the same that I had found previously. The Goldcrests are apparently still present and appear to have stayed the winter, although I wasn't successful in finding them today.

After the dismal photography earlier this week, I was a little more happy with today's results as I had more control walking and getting into the right position than I had when I was in the boat.

A few Meadow Pipits were still about in the small fields, but proved to be quite elusive.

Wintering Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)

Spanish Sparrows were in the area with Acacia Trees and if you take the time to look, the males are pretty smart birds

Male Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis)

A lone male Common Kestrel posed in the early morning winter light before departing

Male Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

When a Eurasian Sparrowhawk came in overhead

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

In line with OSME changes, the Eastern Black Redstart is now known as the Central Asian Black Redstart and what a handsome fellow he was.

Male Central Asian Black Redstart (Phoenicurus o. phoenicuroides)