Golden hour at JPR

Week 20; 18 May 2018 - Jahra Pools Reserve

I headed out to JPR for some late afternoon birding and photography.

I headed down to the beach where two Eurasian Spoonbills were roosting on the inter-tidal zone. We don't see this species too often on the coast as they are mostly restricted to Boubyan Island

Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)

Driving back to the pools from the beach, Little Bittern in the reeds

Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus)

Red-necked Phalarope in the pool below.

Male Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)

From the road, a couple of Red-backed Shrike on the sabkha

Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)

And Graceful Prinia's singing their hearts out..

Graceful Prinia (Prinia gracilis)

A single Upcher's Warbler popped out of the undergrowth

Upcher's Warbler (Hippolais languida)

For the rest of the afternoon, I found a spot with a shallow pool and where the sun sets behind you and enjoyed the birds that were present. 

Both Little Stint

Little Stint (Calidris minuta)

and Temminck's were present

Temminck's Stint (Calidris temminckii)

And an image side-by-side for comparison 

Temminck's and Little Stint

A Marsh Sandpiper also dropped in for awhile

Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis)

Here a Squacco Heron in stealth mode - 100% focused, although it missed the strike.

Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides)

Whilst a Spotted Flycatcher hawks from the nearby reeds..

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

All in all a pretty enjoyable and relaxing afternoon