The
status of Western Cattle Egret has changed considerably over the years in the
Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. In 1981 it was a rare visitor to the Gulf but
by the end of the 1980’s it had become a migrant occurring from March through May and from August through
November mainly in the coastal zone, but also inland especially at Abqaiq. Some
birds over-summer and others overwinter. This had canged again by the end of
the 1990’s to the species being a regular winter visitor with the maximum mid-winter roost being recorded at Dhahran
percolation pond of 244 birds on 27 January 2008. Numbers are now in excess of
100 birds each winter in Dhahran. Numbers are lower at Sabkhat Al Fasl but up
to ten can occasionally be seen. It was therefore a surprise to find an adult
at the site on 13 June as over-summering birds are still scarce in the region.
This was the first time I have seen the species in the summer at this location
and shows going out, even in the worst conditions and time of year can still
pay dividends with knowledge gained on status of the birds of the region.
