'Twas the day before Christmas (Eve)

Week 52, 23 December - Abraq and Jahra

Markus Craig and I were out the day before Christmas Eve and decided to head west and check out the Al Abraq farm. We are now in mid-winter and were optimistic about some winter Thrushes - but it was not to be. A Daurian Shrike was approachable in the early morning sun.

Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)

As there was not much, we tried the Pivot Fields at the nearby dairy farm; although we did hear and see a fleeting Oriental Skylark, the predominant species in the pivots were Eurasian Skylark's.

Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis) 

Heading back east, we stopped at Jahra Farm where the eruption of Dark-throated Thrushes continues.

Black-throated Thrush (Turdus atrogularis)

Rose-ringed Parakeets are present, but in way lower numbers than when I first came to Kuwait - I reckon most have been trapped and sold.

Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

In the fields, we had a Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)

and Caucasian Water Pipit

Caucasian Water Pipit (Anthus s. coutelli)

Followed by a Red-spotted Bluethroat

Red-spotted Bluethroat (Luscinia s. svecica)

and a Song Thrush dashing between cover overhead

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)

Over at Jahra Pools, a Spur-winged Lapwing was a great sighting - these Lapwings to have a presence with their striking black, grey and white plumage

Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus)

There are still good numbers of Jack Snipe present

Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus)

Here a Jack and Common Snipe side-by-side for comparative purposes

Common (Gallinago gallinago) and Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus)

In the desert area, a European Stonechat

Female European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)

and in the dying light of day, a possible Arabian Grey Shrike (the black mask extends over the top mandible)

Possible Arabian Grey Shrike (Lanius aucheri)

By now, it was time to call it a day after a good few kilometers added to the odometer