Autumn migrants and a rarity

Week 39; 30 September 2017 - JPR

My son Jaden is conducting weekly surveys at JPR of threatened trigger species as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Since he cant drive, I am the chauffeur and mentor to help him with ID and counts which is an enjoyable father and son morning together.

Today was a marked improvement over last week.

A Blue-cheeked Bee-eater greeted us near the entrance

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)

From the big tower we had many species; fly by Western Marsh Harrier

Female Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

One of our resident Ferruginous Ducks which are really distinctive in flight

Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)

As well as Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

And Northern Shoveler with that unmistakable bill

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

Driving to the big pool, a Purple Heron flew by, this one of the soaring species Jaden is monitoring

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

We found a Great Crested Grebe regally swimming by

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Then our first rarity, the 18th Black Tern for Kuwait which Jaden was really pleased with

Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)

On the banks of the pools, Common Snipe

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

And another Temminck's Stint which seem to be present as single birds only

Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii)

In the desert area another species which is starting to become scarce due to unregulated hunting along the flyway - European Turtle Dove

European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur)

So, a much better and productive morning out