Some migrant diversity

Week 33, 15 August 2012 - Al Abraq (Click on image to enlarge)

I had a day off, so headed out to the oasis farm at Al Abraq to see if the wind over the past few days had brought in any new migrants. I had the farm to myself and being mid-week, not a shooter in sight (excuse the pun), so the morning was quiet and enjoyable.

Numbers had increased for species like Hoopoe, European Roller and Isabelline Wheatear and there were some new species present to. Although walking is enjoyable, most success with photographs is using the car as a hide.

As mentioned Hoopoes were seen all over the farm

Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

A medium flock of European Rollers (adults and 1st year birds) were found after they flew in over the boundary fence

Adult European Roller (Coracias garrulus)

The small flock of Black-headed Buntings took some time before I was able to get close enough for a photograph

Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala)

However, one of the Isabelline Wheatear's proved to be confiding

Isabelline Wheatear (Oenanthe isabellina)

I saw both Red-backed and this Mauryan Grey Shrike which made a few attempts to catch a weary Spotted Flycatcher and the Buntings

Mauryan Grey Shrike (Lanius lahotra)

Here is the Spotted Flycatcher that evaded being a snack for the Shrike. I am assuming this is a 1cy bird, as there is very little streaking on the chest, but if  it isn't, please let me know.

1cy Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)

Numerous 1st year Yellow Wagtails were seen in the fields - we will leave these as the nominate race for now

1st year Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla f. flava)

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins have now returned at most locations, but still in small numbers

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (Cercotrichas galactotes)

Two Steppe Buzzards were seen in different area's, but both very weary of me

Steppe Buzzard (Buteo b. vulpinus)

Damaging one of it's primary feathers on take-off

After a drink and a bathe

A bonus was a 1st year Red-throated Bluethroat that popped up unexpectedly against the light - however, I think the rim lighting is quite complimentary

1st year Red-spotted Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

I saw faint movement in one of the acacia trees and after waiting 5-minutes a 1st year Rose-coloured Starling came into view

Rose-coloured Starling (Pastor roseus)

Not many butterflies around yet, but this Blue Pansy is not a common species in Kuwait

Blue Pansy (Precis orithya)

On the way home, I stopped near Mesilla Beach, other than 3 Turnstones only a 1st year White-cheeked Tern was seen on the beach.

1st year White-cheeked Tern (Sterna repressa), probably from Kubbar Island

We have a few days off for Eid, so hoping that the weather is kind to us and we have more autumn arrivals to enjoy

Migrants trickle in

Week 32, 11 August 2012 - JEO, SAANR and Jahra Farm (Click image to enlarge)

The weather was pretty good all week; very hot (of course), clear skies and no wind and for once this remained for the weekend althugh the wind picked up a litttle.

I started out early and passed by Sulaibikhat, stopping near the Maternity Hospital where there was a large flock of 1st year Slender-billed Gulls feeding on the water near a small outfall.

1st year Slender-billed Gulls (Chroicocephalus genei)

At the Manchester Club, any birding enjoyment was disrupted by this group who were trying there best to shoot the Gulls and Flamingos where they would just be left, this during Ramadan. Disgusted and disheartened, I left for Jahra East Outfall

Shooting at the Flamingo's and Gulls

Sadly, there were good numbers of shooters here to (why was I not suprised?) - well migration has started, so this relentless and senseless shooting will continue until migration ends. I found a quiet'ish spot on the Outfall and enjoyed the Warblers flitting through, although seldom static. This did not stop a car with a shooter pull up behind me and take a shot at something before driving off again - despite seeing me with a camera sticking out of my window - the mind just boggles at this absolute lack of respect. The usual Warblers (including Basra) were still about and I photographed Great Reed Warbler

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

One of the many Eurasian Reed Warblers

Eurasian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

and one of the Indian Reed Warblers

Indian Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus s. brunnescens)

I did also see a few Rats around the waters edge at the reed base and I'm sure these are responsible for some predation of Warbler young

Rat

I then headed for the sanctity and quietness of SAANR and found a few migrants that are now trickling in. A flock of European Bee-eaters were around for a short time before heading off. As was this adult and 1st year Common Whitethroat seen in the shade of an Acacia tree

Adult Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

1st year Common Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

A single European Roller flew in for a drink before disappearing into an Acacia to escape the heat

European Roller (Coracias garrulus)

On the way home, I though I would see what state Jahra Farms was in since it lost it's water supply some months back - conflicting reasons had been given as to why it was turned off. Nevertheless, water had been restored and the farm was not quite up to full capacity, but starting to look good - so that bodes well for returning migrants. A lot of Warblers were drinking from the holding pond near the entrance; including Great Reed Warbler at full stretch

Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus)

Eastern Olivaceous Warbler

Easter Olivaceous Warbler (Iduna pallida)

and Upchers Warbler

Upchers Warbler (Hippolais languida)

A couple of White-eared Bulbuls also enjoyed a quick bath before returning to the palm tree to preen and try cool down.

White-eared Bulbul (Pycnonotus l. leucotis)

There are a few cats on the farm which probably account for a few mortalities of exhausted migrants

Local feral cat - looks friendly, but not..

Another much younger Upchers Warbler was seen

Upchers Warbler (Hippolais languida)

As was this 1st year Bank Myna

2012 Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginianus)

The 1st year White-throated Robin took some patience before I finally was able to get a frame filling image.

White-throated Robin (Irania gutturalis)

Sandblast Birding

Week 31, 04 August 2012 - Jahra Pools Reserve (Click to enlarge image)

The 2nd of August was mid-way through Ramadan and I was up on Mutla ridge to see the sun set and not very long afterwards the full moon rise through the haze over the sea.

Mid-way in Ramadan

The weekend seemed set to produce good weather, but no-one sent the wind on Friday that Memo. By Friday mid-morning the wind was pumping and the dust came rolling in, putting paid to any plans outdoors. Fortunately, we still have the Olympics to keep us entertained with great HD coverage, especially the super slo mo's.

I was up early Saturday morning with wind still pumping, but just had to get out anyway. I was able to arrange access to Jahra Pools Reserve where work is now completed on the road and water supply upgrade and what a difference this has made. The roads are now surfaced and the controlable water supply means that the pools will never again dry up - fantastic for the reserve and birds alike.

Birding conditions were far from ideal, with the strong NW wind almost blowing the reeds flat - most birds were hiding or sheltering from the wind. This Little Stint struggling to stay on it's feet.

Little Stint (Calidris minuta)

Little Ringed Plover was a new arrival and if this wind keeps up, it will bring many more migrants over the coming days and weeks.

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

Good numbers of Kentish Plovers were seen along the fringes of the pools

Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)

A drive around the perimeter where there was some open pools produced a stunning Black-necked Grebe still in breeding plumage. It was a long way off, so I needed the 1.4 extender, but dust and haze made sure I couldnt get a sharp image

Black-necke Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) in breeding plumage

Ditto with the two Red-necked Phalaropes out in the middle of the pool

Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus)

I found both Common Moorhen and Black-winged Stilt juveniles indicating that they had another successful breeding season

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

In a quieter pool, I found a Little Grebe sheltering in the reeds

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

By now my kit and car had a fine coating of white dust covering everything and on the way out I found an Egyptian Nightjar on the road which flew when it saw my car. After a long and patient search, I was finally able to relocate it and got some crippling views of this cryptic bird and on that high note I headed home to get rid of the dust that was everywhere.

The cryptic Egyptian Nightjar (Caprimulgus aegyptius)

The Western Desert Calls

Week 30, 28 July 2012 - Al Abraq

Although it is still a little too early for 'autumn' migration, I though I would check out the oasis farm at Al Abraq, so another early wake-up call to get there while the temperatures were still bearable.

The sun was rising, just after I had turned off the main road to drive west to the farm and at the same time, the lights started going out on the highway to the Salmi border

Desert sunrise

Hoopoes are normally the first migrants to arrive as they probably dont have to fly that far, I saw around 3 or 4 during the morning

Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

A single Tawny Pipit was found foraging in a small patch of cultivated land

Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris)

A single Ruff looked a little out of place walking along one of the farm roads

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)

The pool at the entrance to the farm provided a place for this White-throated Kingfisher to catch fish at it's leisure.

White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis)

A last drive around the farm, wilting in the heat produced a small flock of Black-headed Buntings with one adult in moulting plumage (a record shot ruined by heat haze) and the rest were probably first year birds.

Adult Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala)

1st year Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala)