A productive day at JPR

Week 42; 21 October 2017 - JPR

Glorious weather for our weekly survey and at the big pool, Marsh Harriers were present, but weren't close enough for any images. A Purple Heron, one of the soaring species, did pass by pretty close.

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

And White-winged Terns were foraging above the pools

White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus)

Grey-headed Swamphen were lurking in the reeds

Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio  p. poliocephalus)

As were Caspian Reed Warbler's

Caspian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. fuscus)

On the slow drive on the transect, we found the Bonelli's Eagle that was present earlier in the week. It appeared to be drying off after possibly bathing in the pools

Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciatus)

Also still on it's overnight roost was one of a few Greater Spotted Eagle's

Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga)

At one of the more open pools (which are becoming fewer as the reeds expand unabated) we had a few more soaring species; Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

Little Egret

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

And Marsh Sandpiper

Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)

Two really good and uncommon birds were also present; Northern Lapwing which is annual in winter, but very seldom at JPR

Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

And a single Red-wattled Plover which are normally easier to find in the north of Kuwait

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)

Wheatear's are now arriving, so we found the expected Isabelline

Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina)

As well as a Pied (if it wasn't for the long primary projection, this bird could have been a possible candidate for Cyprus)

Pied Wheatear (Oenanthe pleschanka)

There were also quite a few Siberian Stonechat present which must arrived in the week

Female Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola m. variegatus)

Male Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola m. variegatus)

Overall another productive morning in terms of diversity and abundance