Tony Blake went birding in the Riyadh River area on 15th September and sent me these details which he kindly said I could put on my website.
7.00am – 8.00am
Site 1 – area near “bird ringing programme” sign, c8km to east of Al Hair
Night Heron | c.2 |
Purple Heron | c.3 |
Laughing Dove | P |
Namaqua Dove | 3 – two females and one male |
Little Green Bee-eater | 1 |
Crested Lark | c.3 |
Swallow | 1 |
Yellow Wagtail – heard only | 2+ |
White-cheeked Bulbul | A |
Reed Warbler (heard only) | 1 |
Spotted Flycatcher | 1 |
Masked Shrike | 1 – adult male |
House Sparrow | P |
Indian Silverbill – several flocks seen, but only one bird seen perched. ID’d as Indian on range | P |
8.00am – 9.00am
Site 2 – further east, and down road to south towards water works
Night Heron – picked up with broken wing by driver | 1 |
Moorhen – juvs | 3 |
Laughing Dove | P |
Namaqua Dove | 2 |
Crested Lark | 1 |
Swallow | P |
Sand Martin | 1+ |
Yellow Wagtail | 2 juv |
Graceful Prinia | 2 |
Avadavat | 1 - male |
Also here, c.20 Clouded Yellow type butterflies, and a Brown Argus type butterfly, but quite grey-cast and extensively speckled on underwing.
9.15am – 10.15am
Site 3 – date farm area to south west of Al Hair, and to south west of the watercourse, turning off south
Moorhen | 1 |
Laughing Dove | P |
Little Green Bee-eater | 1 |
White-cheeked Bulbul | A |
Golden Oriole – at least two seen | 2 – male and female |
Common Mynah | 1 |
House Sparrow | P |
10.30 – 11.00
Site 4 – c2km further west, along road
Harrier sp – juvenile. At range, through poor quality bins, could not clinch ID. But clearly slimline, so Monty’s or Pallid. | 1 |
Laughing Dove | P |
Namaqua Dove | c.3 |
Little Green Bee-eater | 1 |
African Rock Martin | 1+ |
11.30am – 12.00pm
Site 5 – Wadi Hanifa – signposted area adjacent to watercourse, near Mansouriah
Squacco Heron | 1 |
Grey Heron | 2 |
Little Stint – juv. In roadside pool. Dark “ridge” on crown, slightly split super and white Vs seen. | 1 |
Common Sandpiper – flushed as I walked across watercourse. | c.5 |
Laughing Dove | P |
Namaqua Dove | c.3 |
Little Green Bee-eater | 1 |
Crested Lark | 1 |
Yellow Wagtail | 1 – adult ( feldegg). Dark crown, slightly paler ear coverts |