For the eBird Big Day we had a coordinated effort to try and post a good number for Kuwait and the few who participated made sure we covered as many locations as possible. At the end, had a few more participated we for sure would have added another 8-12 species. Nevertheless an enjoyable day all round for those who took part with Kuwait recording 124 species and finishing a credible 70th in the final standing.
I opted for a sunrise to sunset day out, starting in the west at Al Abraq and then working my way back east to finish at Jahra Pools. Although there were the expected shooters at Abraq, they kept their distance from me and were all gone by 7am which made birding at this great location most enjoyable.
I started with walking the farm, as the temps are still bearable earlier in the morning; Common Redstart's were prevalent
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| Female Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) |
As were Warblers; with Eastern Olivaceous
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| Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna pallida) |
Upcher's
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| Upcher's Warbler (Hippolais languida) |
and Great Reed Warbler
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| Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) |
Eurasian Blackcap's were foraging on ripe fruit that had fallen to the ground (not sure what the tree is that bears this fruit?)
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| Female Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) |
In the tree above, Marsh Warblers were pretty active
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| Marsh Warbler (Acrocephalus palustris) |
In a heavily wooded area, I spent some quality time with a stunning male Golden Oriole that was also feeding off the ground on the same fruit. One of the best sightings I have had of this normally secretive species
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| Male Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus) |
In the same area, more Blackcap's
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| Male Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) |
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| Female Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) |
And a Garden Warbler
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| Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) |
Overhead, I had Sand Martin
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| Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) |
And a bonus Eurasian Crag Martin
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| Eurasian Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) |
Walking to the car, a cracking Red-backed Shrike
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| Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) |
As time was pressing, I headed to Dairy Farm Pivots only adding a Marsh Harrier to the list. So pushed on east to Mutla'a Ranch where a few more species were added (but not photographed) to the list including; Red-breasted Flycatcher, Sparrowhawk and Roller.
A quick stop at Jahra Farm where Bank Myna
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| Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginianus) |
And now Jungle Myna is also present.
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| Jungle Myna (Acridotheres fuscus) |
Surprisingly, the Collared Flycatcher was still in the same area where it was seen yesterday
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| Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) |
Last site for the day was Jahra Pools to add some shorebirds and it didn't disappoint. Wood Sandpiper in the shallower pools
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| Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) |
Along with Curlew Sandpiper
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| Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) |
A European Black-tailed Godwit was seen in a pool where I had seen it on previous occasions.
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| European Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa l. limosa) |
In the same pool, a Spotted Crake
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| Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana) |
Broad-billed Sandpiper are always a pleasure to see
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| Broad-billed Sandpiper (Limicola falcinellus) |
On the road to the beach, I picked up a pair of Pied Avocet's
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| Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) |
a single Western Cattle Egret
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| Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) |
and a few more Red-backed Shrikes
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| Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) |
At the Outfall, a couple of Sedge Warblers
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| Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) |
As the sun was dipping toward the horizon as last drive gave me Basra Reed Warbler - but not for long before it disappeared into the reeds.
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| Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis) |
What a great day out with some quality birds seen with my personal tally of 98 species, contributing to the overall total of the day.
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