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22 October 2014

Duck numbers increasing – Dhahran Hills

Although migration is slow this autumn the number of ducks have increased over the last few weeks. Common Pochard is scarce on the ‘patch’ with one being present for the last week. On 19 October there were seven with three males and four females. Northern Shoveler numbers have increased to 27 with a mixture of males and females along with six Garganey. Other migrants seen were mainly wheatears with both Pied Wheatear and Isabelline Wheatear present with most Pied Wheatears being first year males. A few Barn Swallows were new in with ten plus over the spray fields and percolation pond in the evening. There was a small group of waders present on the settling pond including two Marsh Sandpipers, two Little Stints, Common Redshank, Wood Sandpiper and Temminck’s Stint. Otherwise the only other interesting birds were a single Grey Heron and 21 Western Cattle Egrets.
Northern Shoveller
Pied Wheatear
Isabelline Wheatear