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20 February 2013

Large White-headed Gulls - Al-Khobar Corniche


A return to the Al-Khobar Corniche after a few weeks was met by the fact that the area used by the roosting gulls had been made into a building site. Luckily the birds had only moved a short distance to an area of scrubby desert and some were using the new street lighting to rest on. Most bids seen here were Heuglin’s Gulls with a few Caspian and Steppe Gulls intermixed. 50+ Common Black-headed Gulls were also with the LWG flock and a single House Crow was also seen. This site affords the best viewing of the LWG I have found so far, and although the numbers are significantly lower than those seen on Abqaiq Landfill, the views and photographic opportunities are much better at the Corniche.
Heuglin's Gull
Heuglin's Gull
Steppe Gull
Caspian Gull
Caspian Gull
Caspian Gull
Caspian Gull
Caspian Gull (left) Steppe Gull (right)
Mixed Gull Flock, Heuglin's, Steppe & Caspian Gull