18 May 2014

Shrikes, Warblers & Waders – Dhahran Hills

The number of arriving migrants has been steady throughout the last few days with many Shrikes, Warblers and Waders seen. The most common species, as has been the case for the last two weeks, are Red-backed Shrikes, but now plenty of females and immature birds have joined the adult males that comprised the first wave of this species when they arrived at the end of April. Other common birds seen were Willow Warblers and Common Whitethroats, but a few Sedge Warblers, Caspian Reed Warblers and Indian (Clamorous) Reed Warblers were in the reeds of the percolation pond along with a bird looking like a Basra Reed Warbler. This bird appeared to have a relatively long tail for the species, so as a result I am leaving it unidentified. Indian Reed Warblers are now singing from three different patches of reeds indicating breeding is again occurring on the camp. The breeding resident Graceful Prinias are active at the moment sitting in obvious places singing, most of them in the scrub surrounding the percolation pond. The other noticeable group of birds seen were Wood Sandpipers with a group of over 20 on the percolation pond and three on the settling pond. Small numbers of Kentish Plover are breeding in various areas of the camp some with well grown young. One or two other migrants were seen including a Northern Wheatear and a Whinchat but variety and numbers are certainly down this year when compared to previous years.
Red-backed Shrike
Red-backed Shrike
Red-backed Shrike
Red-backed Shrike
Sedge Warbler
Graceful Prinia

Whinchat
Wood Sandpiper