This morning was birding with a mission, although I detoured at Jahra Farm on the way (Jahra Pools has now also been closed due to Covid 19!) to Jal Al Zour. I shouldn't have bothered as there was not one migrant to be seen, although the resident White-throated Kingfisher was making its presence known. Just look at those iridescent upperparts!
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| White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis) |
Earlier this month, Layla one of our local photographers/birders had discovered the 1st breeding record of White-crowned Wheatear for Kuwait in the wadi's of the ridge. Although it was drizzling and overcast (yeah I know, strange for a desert environment) I persisted with getting out there to see if they were still present.
It took some time, but eventually I found 1 adult bird which flew off along the escarpment shortly after I stopped
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| Adult White-crowned Wheatear (Oenanthe leucopyga) |
I continued driving slowly along the base stopping to listen before continuing. Again I was the only person in this area this morning. Eventually I picked them up again feeding high up in the wadi - this time there were still 4 birds (1 pair and 2 juveniles). I spent over an hour watching the interaction between them and feeding in amongst the crap left behind by people who cant be bothered to take their own shit home after enjoying a picnic in the desert!
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| Adult White-crowned Wheatear (Oenanthe leucopyga) |
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| Juvenile White-crowned Wheatear (Oenanthe leucopyga) |
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| Adult White-crowned Wheatear (Oenanthe leucopyga) |
A Libyan Jird suddenly appeared from a burrow where the Wheatear's had been feeding
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| Libyan Jird (Meriones l. syrius) |
In the same time, I also found a lone Lilith Owl high up on the cliff that was occasionally being harassed by a pair of diminutive Trumpeter Finches. The look of disdain from the Owl was priceless when potential breakfast was being an irritation
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| Spot the Lilith Owl (Athene n. lilith) |
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| Lilith Owl (Athene n. lilith) |
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| Really! A Lilith Owl (Athene n. lilith) checks out the Trumpeter Finch (Bucanetes githagineus) |
Some life sprouting in the desert adding colour, if you look closely enough
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| A tiny splash of colour |
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