Week 35; 20 August 2020 - Al Abraq
It has been many months since I lasted visited the Abraq Farm in the west of Kuwait. So as a change to the Pivots, I had an extra early start for the drive to the farm, enjoying this sunrise over one of the camel camps, before I turned off into the desert.
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| Abraq sunrise |
I thought (or was hoping) that the Covid constraints would keep the shooters at home, sadly this was not the case and they were camped on the boundary of the farm like expectant Vultures. Maybe some day the Legislation that is in place, will be enforced to curtail and stop this utterly senseless shooting and slaughter of migratory birds year on year!
I headed to the western side of the farm, so it would not spoil my morning and the first bird I had was this passing Common Cuckoo
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| Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) |
Eurasian Hoopoe's were the predominant migrant at the farm this morning - in flight their plumage is pretty striking
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| Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops) |
There were a few Woodchat Shrikes about
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| Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator) |
As well as Bee-eaters
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| European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) |
Rollers flew in as the day warmed up and were looking for somewhere to rest up for the day
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| European Roller (Coracias garrulus) |
I took some time to walk before it got too hot, finding Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
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| Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna pallida) |
Upcher's Warbler
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| Upcher's Warbler (Hippolais languida) |
And one of the many House Sparrow's resident at the farm
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| House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) |
A last drive around the farm gave Great Grey Shrike
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| Great Grey Shrike (Steppe) (Lanius excubitor lahtora) |
And around 4 Isabelline Wheatear's that also arrived as it warmed considerably more.
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| Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina) |
By now the shooters had departed, so tranquility and peace was returned. Unfortunately it was also too hot and the birds also quietened down and took refuge in the shade. Good time for me to call it a morning too, but an enjoyable diversion to the regular Pivot Farm visits.
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