Birding has slowed down considerably now and the
summer heat has reached 48 degrees Celsius but there are still a very small
number of migrants around. The only ones we saw on 8 July were two Barn
Swallows and a single extremely late Northern Wheatear. The best birds seen
were a juvenile Red-wattled Lapwing a scarce visitor to the Eastern Province
and a second calendar year summering Greater Spotted Eagle about which I have
posted detail already. Tern numbers had dropped off significantly with most
birds now on their Gulf coral island breeding sites although a few
White-cheeked Terns and some Common Terns were seen along with a group of 25
Caspian Terns and several Little Terns. Herons as always were conspicuous with
plenty of Little Bitterns seen including males, females and juveniles
indicating a successful breeding season for the species. Squacco Herons in full
breeding plumage were also seen in good numbers with about 15 birds seen. Other
birds included thousands of Greater Flamingos, the regular summering Caspian
Gulls (adult and second calendar year) and numerous Graceful Prinias, Caspian
Reed Warblers and Indian (Clamorous) Reed Warblers. Two second calendar year Black-headed
Gulls were also seen on the flooded sabkha.
 |
| Barn Swallow |
 |
| Northern Wheatear |
 |
| Greater Spotted Eagle - 2nd Calendar Year |
 |
| Greater Spotted Eagle - 2nd Calendar Year |
 |
| White-cheeked Tern |
 |
| White-cheeked Tern |
 |
| Little Bittern - male |
 |
| Squacco Heron |
