Waders, Egrets & Herons - Dhahran Expro & Dammam Al Khobar Wader south roosts

The wader roost had plenty of birds on it during my last visit, but the light was poor and most of the birds were directly into the sunlight making them difficult to view. I did not see anything out of the usual during my three hours looking but saw a few reasonable birds including a good selection of waders, a Western Great Egret, Western Osprey and Indian Reef Herons of both white and grey colour morphs. The waders were mainly Ruff, Dunlin and Common Redshanks, although a few Eurasian Curlew, Black-winged Stilts and Little Stints were also around. Smaller numbers of Whimbrel, Marsh Sandpiper, Ruddy Turnstone and Eurasian Oystercatcher were also seen.

Common Redshank

Eurasian Curlew

Ruff

Although there were no Lesser Sand Plovers seen at Dhahran Expro there were approximately 100 at Dammam / Al Khobar along with ten Grey Plovers which again were not seen at the former site. A slightly oiled Western Great Egret was fishing in one corner of the roost and a few Western Reef Herons were in the same area. Several Greater Flamingos were far out as the tide was not fully in and a Western Osprey flew over with its catch of fish. Gulls were plentiful with most being Black-headed Gull including an adult in full summer plumage, put a good number of Slender-billed gulls was also present. The only Large White-headed Gull seen was a Heuglin’s Gull. A very large gathering of 50+ Gull-billed Terns and seven Caspian Terns were also seen.

Western Great Egret - slightly oiled

Indian Reef Heron

Greater Flamingo

Western Osprey

Slender-billed Gull