Continuing
on from the last post are some more photos from a local photographer Shaheen
who apparently took all the photographs in the area of Al Hassa. I am
documenting them here as they are very important ornithologically, and will
post further details if they become available. All the photographs below were
taken by Shaheen who has given permission for me to use them on my website.
Caspian
Plover Charadrius asiaticus is an uncommon but
regular passage migrant in the Eastern Province in small numbers during March
and April and again from late July until early September. The peak passage of
adults is during March and again from August when juveniles are also frequently
seen. A flock of 500 was seen in late March 1982 on the northern steppes with
other good numbers from the same area including 45 on the Dibdibah 14 April
1983, 30 there 4 November 1983 and 100 in the same area 28 March 1985. Most
sightings occur away from the coast but they are often near inland waters. The
photograph below was taken near Lake Al Asfar, Al Hassa in 2013?
 |
| Kentish Plover |
 |
| Caspian Plover |
Hypocolius
Hypocolius ampelinus is an uncommon
but regular winter visitor to the Eastern Province from November to April. It
is unobtrusive and easily overlooked, frequenting thick palm scrub in oasis and
cultivated areas often near settlements. It has been noted at widely scattered
locations from Hanidh in the north to Haradh in the south with the highest
count being 85-120 at Salasil in December 1983. Migrants have been seen in
November and April, with odd males at Haradh and Al Kharj away from the normal
palms suggesting migration during those months. Elsewhere in Saudi Arabia it is
an uncommon, but may be locally common, winter visitor to Central Arabia,
Northen Hejaz, Hejaz and Northern Red Sea. Some large winter roosts have been
recorded in Riyadh.
 |
| Hypocolius |
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus is a common and
widespread breeding resident on the Tihamah and southern Red Sea coastlands,
less common in the Northern Hejaz north to Rabigh with all records below 1000
metres. Most records come from the Tihamah with small flocks of 10-50 birds
regularly seen. The species is rare in Central Saudi Arabia and has not been
recorded in the Eastern Province. The photograph below is thus very interesting
as it shows a number of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (unfortunately) shot
apparently near Al Hassa in 2013? If this can be confirmed this would be
the first record of the species for the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia as far
as I know.
 |
| Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse |
