A few waders back in the ditch – Dhahran Hills

The wet ditch in the camp has previously been good for getting good close views of a number of species of waders. Over the last few months, however, there have been no birds of any description present here. In the last few weeks wader passage has started in earnest and again a few birds are finding the ditch to their liking. They have mainly been Little Stints and Little Ringed Plovers although there has also been a few Wood Sandpipers and Green Sandpipers present. Birds are easily disturbed here but if you stay in the car then you can often approach them to within a few metres. The ditch looks really good for small crakes, but up to now I have failed to find anything like this, although there is still time. Other birds finding the habitat good include plenty of House Sparrows and Eurasian Collared Doves as with the temperatures still in the low 40’s Centigrade any water is at a premium.

Little Stint

Little Stint

Little Stint

Little Stint

Wood Sandpiper