The penultimate day of 2016

Week 53, 30 December 2016 - Jahra Pools and Farm

I know a year has 52-weeks, but according to Microsoft Outlook 30th December is in Week 53 of 2016..

I started off at Jahra Farm where a slow walk around this traditional farm produced more Black-throated Thrushes

Black-throated Thrush (Turdus atrogularis)

In the recently cultivated fields a Song Thrush foraged quietly and surprisingly stayed out in the open for longer than expected.

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)

Of course, a few Western Cattle Egrets were also seen in the fields.

Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

I moved across the 80 highway and spent a few hour at Jahra Pools where the Great Crested Grebe was still present.

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Greater Spotted Eagles had already come in to find a suitable roost for the night

Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga)

Another Black-throated Thrush was singing 'his' heart out, as the sun lowered in the sky

Black-throated Thrush (Turdus atrogularis)

Also in the desert area, a male and female European Stonechat were sitting high on the dead sabkha bushes

Male European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

Female European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

A number of Grey-headed Swamphen's were out in the open

Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio  p. poliocephalus)

And for the last 20-minutes of the day, I watched 2 Western Marsh Harriers harass and try and catch a Eurasian Coot for dinner - they were unsuccessful, but they certainly had the Coot scattering in every direction every time they quartered and dived. Coot can stay underwater for awhile it seems  ;-)

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) harassing the big flock of Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra) 

Well that brings 2016 to an end and I can finally say I have now posted my backlog for 2016!

Now the editing of all my 2017 images awaits - 'pule pule' as the guides say when you climb Kilimanjaro. 

I will get there, but it will take some time to get through all the images and post them....