From the pools to the escarpment

Week 45, 08 November 2013 - Jahra Pools and Jal Al Zor

I hosted Bouke and Anneke, keen birders who hail from Germany and are in Kuwait creating and sculpting the impressive sand sculptures that will be on display at Kuwait International Fair in January 2014.

We met pretty early and were at the Jahra Pool Reserve gates just on sunrise (an interesting 'pattern' on the sun), which is now much later than it is in the summer.

Sunrise over Jahra Bay

A Common Kingfisher provided a creative moment with the backdrop of the rising sun

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) in pre-dawn light

The flock of Greater Flamingo's had returned with just one adult bird in the flock.

1st year Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

A single Eurasian Teal came paddling by in the soft early morning light.

Eurasian Teal (Anas crecca)

There were at least 4 European Robins heard and seen along the fringes of the reeds next to the road, but not easy to get a clean view for a photograph

European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

A small group of Eurasian Spoonbills with one adult have discovered the Pools and have been present for around 10-days. This is the first time that I have seen this away from coastal habitat in Kuwait.

Feeding Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)

A Western Great Egret was also seen, but this one kept some cover between itself and the birders

Western Great Egret (Ardea alba)

There was still quite a number of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters about, but I'm sure these will all head south in the coming week.

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus)

These aerial hunters were joined by a number of Pallid Swifts

Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus)

There had been reports of Penduline Tit and Dead Sea Sparrow (one of my favourite Sparrows) in the past week and we were fortunate to find a few of these great little sparrows feeding at point blank range next to the road. No time to back up or change lenses - so had to make the most of a good situation.

Male Dead Sea Sparrow (Passer moabiticus)

A few other passerines were seen including; Water Pipits which have arrived in numbers

Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta)

increasing numbers of Spanish Sparrows

Female Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis)

and a female Caspian Stonechat

Female Caspian Stonechat (Saxicola m. hemprichii)

Along the fence line of the large pool, another Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

and a Daurian Shrike

1st year Daurian Shrike (Lanius isabellinus)

The only raptors seen were the semi-resident Western Marsh Harriers

Hunting Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

and an Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

By now we had exhausted Jahra Pools, so made a quick trip to Jal Al Zor to see if we could relocate the 7th Pallid Scops Owl that Bouke had found in one of the wadi's yesterday. No luck on the Owl, but we did get a bonus in the form of Red-tailed Wheatear.

Wintering Red-tailed Wheatear (Oenanthe chrysopygia)

We searched the wadi's for other species, but only added Desert and Mourning Wheatear's to the day's tally.

Sea and Shore birds

Week 45, 04 November 2013 - Sharq Harbour

I have fallen a little behind with post processing my backlog and posting to the Blog.

Earlier this month, I spent a quick hour at Sharq Harbour, but it was most of the usual winter suspects that were present when the Dhows came in with their catch.

Dhow returning with it's catch

The majority of the smaller gulls present were non-breeding plumaged Common Black-headed Gulls

Winter plumaged Common Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) 

Interspersed with a handful of Sandwich Terns

Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)

The only wader seen was a Common Sandpiper which flew across the harbour entrance to forage on the breakwater.

Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)

Most of the large white-headed Gulls have arrived, but none were seen in the harbour on this visit.

Onward to Al Abraq

Week 44, 29 October 2013 - Al-Abraq

Following our time with the falconers, Dave and I continued to the oasis farm of Al-Abraq where we immediately noted that autumn migration is pretty much an event of the past with the number of winter species that were around.

The first bird seen as we got out of the car was a Song Thrush followed by a Red-breasted Flycatcher; one of my favourite birds.

Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)

Walking around the farm, Common Chiffchaff's have now replaced the Willow Warblers. 

Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)

A skulking female Common Redstart was found sitting quietly inside one of tree's 

Female Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)

More Red-breasted Flycatchers were seen in a different area and we counted 7 individuals, which is a new Highest Daily Count.

Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)

A female Caspian Stonechat was seen foraging around the alfalfa fields

Female Caspian Stonechat (Saxicola m. hemprichii)

In the reeds near the entrance gate, we found a skulking warbler that proved difficult to see and photograph, I managed to get one image to confirm that it was a Moustached Warbler.

Moustached Warbler (Acrocephalus melanopogon)

Sadly there were signs of shooting again during this past migration, with quite a few raptors found dead and left on the ground. I found a Black Kite and have included it to show the dark ear coverts and 6 primary fingers which are not entirely conclusive, but are features of Black-eared Kite.

Deceased Black Kite (Milvus migrans )

Deceased Black Kite (Milvus migrans) showing 6-primary fingers

This time of the year, it is a lull between end of autumn and the start of winter, so not many more birds were to be seen. I spent a little time looking at the invertebrates and noticed that there were numerous Clouded Yellow butterflies around. It is not easy using a big prime lens and extender as a 'macro' lens, but it does the keep you far enough way not to disturb these insects.

Clouded Yellow (Colias croceus)

As well as more Seven-spot Ladybird's than I have ever seen

Seven-spot Ladybird (Coccinela septempunctata)

Last were a few diminutive Asian Grass Blue butterflies that always seem to be on the move.

Asian Grass Blue (Zizeeria karsandra)

As there was not to much else we stopped at Jahra Pools on the way home.

The most interesting observation was a pair of Little Grebe feeding some very young chicks. They must be taking advantage of the mild weather and favourable conditions to breed again this late in the year.

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) feeding young

A single Collared Pratincole was seen hawking over one of the pools

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola)

Oblivious to the Pied Kingfisher sitting quite low down on a dead tree in the water.

Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)

White Wagtails have almost completely replaced the Yellow Wagtails, although there are still a few stragglers left.

White Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

No mega's this autumn, but perhaps this coming winter might bring in some good species.

The mighty Saker

Week 44, 29 October 2013 - On route to Al Abraq

Falconry is the hunting of wild quarry in it's natural state and habitat by means of a trained bird of prey. The art and practice of falconry is a contentious subject for many, but also a sport that has a long history.

Evidence suggests that the art of falconry may have begun in Mesopotamia with the earliest accounts dating to approximately 2000 BC, Historically, falconry was a popular sport and status symbol among the nobles of medieval Europe, the Middle East and the Mongolian Empire. Falconry was largely restricted to the noble classed due to the prerequisite commitment of time, money and space. Within nomadic societies like the Bedouin, falconry was not practiced by noblemen. Instead, falcons were trapped and hunted on small game during the winter months to supplement a very limited diet.

The art of falconry is still practiced in many countries; in some countries it is strongly legislated and regulated, whilst in others there is little to no legislation or regulation and acquisition of these magnificent birds is questionable. But there is certainly a black market trade for these raptors where large sums of money are paid for birds that are trapped on migration or taken from nests and smuggled in for the buyers.  

Birdlife Middle East has included assessing the knowledge and research gaps as well as reviewing the conservation of the Saker Falcon as part if it's Preventing Extinctions Program. This species warrants much more protection than it currently has, as it is the most favoured falcon by falconers in the Region. 

Dave White and I were on a visit to the western oasis farm Al-Abraq when we came across two falconers flying and training their falcons in the desert. We decided to approach them and ask if we could watch and take photographs of these magnificent Saker's. Our Arabic was as poor as their English, but in the end we each understood each other - but they were clear that we should only take pictures of the birds and not them - which raised the acquisition question in my mind.

As two ex-pats who will have little to no influence on changing legislation or regulation, we rather just enjoyed the time we spent with these powerful raptors and the falconers who really did care for them. 

I'm 100% certain that these are not pure Sakers, as some inter-breeding does take place in captivity to produce the 'ultimate' falcon.

The first bird had already flown, so these are just a few of it on the glove having it's reward meal.

Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) in the western desert

The second and bigger bird had not yet flown, so we were treated to it flying from 200m away to a swinging lure, catching the lure and then being rewarded for it's efforts.

Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) coming in fast and low

Checking before smashing the lure

The 'kill'

The 'prey' is subdued and the bird takes a breath

Flying off with it's 'prey'

A real reward for it's successful flight

Saker Portrait

It was with some sadness that we left the falconers and continued to the farm, sad that these birds were not free-flying, but also aware that their owners do take good care of them and perhaps do also breed with them.

So, in an indirect way, could this be associated with sustainability of the species?