A morning around Jahra

Week 35, 28 August 2015 - Jahra Area

I was solo today as Neil and Markus had other commitments, but still made an early morning start to get to Jahra East before sunrise. I enjoy this time of the morning, hearing and seeing the world slowly wake up and of course enjoying the sunrise

Jahra sunrise

I found a spot on the smelly outfall and sat patiently waiting for the birds to start calling and then appearing. Interestingly, the Warblers generally don't sing much at first light, preferring to wait for the sun to hit the reed beds before getting active. First up was an inquisitive Savi's Warbler

Savi's Warbler (Locustella luscinioides)

Followed briefly by a probable Caspian Reed Warbler (of which there were much less this visit than on my previous visit with Markus)

Probable Caspian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. fuscus)

A few Basra Reed Warblers made an appearance, but didn't stay out in the open for too long. I suspect the first 3 images are of a 1st year bird?

Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis)

This female Barred Warbler seemed quite out of place skulking around inside the reeds and only briefly coming out, but in a slow and deliberate fashion - unlike any behaviour I have seen before

Female 2cy Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria)

Common Whitethroat's were fairly abundant 

Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

A single Spotted Flycatcher made a dash, landed briefly and then was gone

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Some movement at the base of the reeds caught my eye and slowly a Little Crake crept out and foraged out in the open for a short time

Little Crake (Porzana parva)

As I was about to leave, a single Indian Reed Warbler made an appearance.

Indian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. brunnescens)

Next stop was Jahra Farm where I found a few more passerine migrants to add to the day's list. Eurasian Wryneck was elusive, but I managed an interesting pose before it too disappeared into thicker cover

Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)

A single Mauryan Grey Shrike was seen on the boundary fence of this small farm.

Mauryan Grey Shrike (Lanius lahtora pallidirostris)

Last stop was Jahra Pools Reserve, although it was already getting too hot. I recorded my first Common Snipe of this autumn passage

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

There were fair numbers of Garganey about and clearly they are dabbling ducks

Female Garganey (Anas querquedula)

Clearly a dabbling Duck

Numbers of Grey-headed Swamphen were seen 

Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio  p. poliocephalus)

There was a mix of 1st year, young juvenile and adult Little Grebe's about

Adult Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Upcher's Warbler was seen a few times in different areas of the reserve, foraging along the perimeter of the reed beds

Upcher's Warbler (Hippolais languida)

Although against the sun, a record image of my first White-tailed Lapwing for this year

White-tailed Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus)

On one of the quieter roads, I managed to get fairly close to this cracking male Woodchat Shrike, before calling it quits and finding a place for a late breakfast

Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator)