Andre was birding the Jubail area during the week and took the following photographs which he has kindly allowed me to put on the website.
The Eurasian Hoopoes were a group of four together at the golf course at Sabkhta Al Fasl on 5th March. At Sabkhat Al Fasl on 7th March there was a Woodchat Shrike and Isabelline Wheatear and the next day a Turkestan Shrike, Southern Grey Shrike and Squacco Heron.
Isabelline Wheatear
Turkestan Shrike
Woodchat Shrike
Eurasian Hoopoe
Squacco Heron
Andre also saw a Siberian Stonechat and male Eastern Black-eared Wheatear at Sandra, Jubail on 6th & 7th March respectively.
Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (male)
Siberian Stonechat
Phil Roberts also went to Sabkhat Al Fasl on the 9th March and saw 50 species of bird in a single morning. His highlights were a singing Savi’s Warbler, two Grey Wagtails and lots of Black-headed Wagtails (feldegg Yellow Wagtails). He also saw Northern Wheatear and Blue-cheeked Bee-eater which are the first records of these species I know of for our area of the Eastern Province this spring. Two Greater Spotted Eagles were still present, many of which will be departing over the next few weeks.