Chasing a Crane - Part 1

Week 43, 20 October 2016 - JPR

Markus Craig had found a Common Crane at JPR earlier in the week, but I had to wait for the end of the week, before I could make an attempt to see it.

The Crane had been seen in the morning, so after work I headed to JPR and straight to the area where it had been seen. I searched for a good 30-minutes, but to no avail. Disappointed, I did a few circuits of the reserve, hoping that it had moved elsewhere.

White Wagtails were one of the early winter visitors. Here a classic adult and another with very grey flanks, perhaps yarrelli race?

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Possible White Wagtail (Motacilla a. yarerelli))

As were quite a number of Greater Spotted Eagles, as many of them roost overnight in the reserve.

Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)

A poor record image of a fulvescens Spotted Eagle that passed overhead. This individual stayed in the reserved for a number of weeks 

Fulvescens Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)

Eurasian Teal were seen in one of the smaller pools and were quite relaxed - the benefits of having the reserve fenced.

Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)

I was able to lock the focus onto a Common Snipe as it passed by at speed

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

JPR is one of the places in Kuwait to get cracking Crake views, today I had Little

Little Crake (Zapornia parva)

and Spotted

Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana)

White-tailed Lapwing have been present for some time, lets hope they stay and breed in the spring. Love their diffuse and soft plumage

White-tailed Lapwing (Vanellus leucurus)

A couple of Little Egrets were hunting in the shallow pool, the white plumage quite pure against the watery background

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

As a Squacco Heron quickly flew from one side of the pool to the other

Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)

Western Marsh Harriers were seen hunting over the reeds, this a female. Strangely, very few male are seen at JPR

Female Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

A few Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters came landed in the reeds, where they would roost for the night

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)

Daurian Shrike was seen in the late afternoon light after a last check for the Crane, which was still nowhere to be seen

Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)