There are still not many options for birding sites in mid-summer, so I visit Pivot Fields each week. Between the irrigated fields there is some desert habitat, as well as the row of Tamarix trees on the boundary of the farm - so there is some habitat diversity. An early start of 6am necessary, as the temperature climbs really quickly and by 9:30 you are done.
On the drive in, there was a flock of Barn Swallows on the overhead line. Some have quite rufous underparts and I'm not sure if this is the actual plumage colour or picked up from bathing?
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| Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) |
In amongst the Swallows were two Sand Martin's
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| Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) |
Whilst a Namaqua Dove foraged in the field below the Hirundines
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| Male Namaqua Dove (Oena capensis) |
I found a flock of 30+ young Collared Pratincole's which suggest post breeding dispersal - but not sure from where
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| Juvenile Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) |
A little later I bumped into some other birders who had found some roosting Egyptian Nightjar's - most seemed to be young birds, also suggesting post breeding dispersal. There were 15+ birds counted
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| Egyptian Nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius) |
The Dhub from last week has now shed it's peeling skin and is looking quite pristine
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| Arabian Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis) |
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