Migration has been very slow
throughout the Eastern Province this autumn with very few species and few birds
seen. Last weekend at Sabkhat Al Fasl, whilst ringing, I flushed a few Water
Pipits from some wet vegetation that were the first birds of this species I
have seen this autumn. Water Pipit is a regular common wintering species in the
area and occurs widely throughout the country. Even though I saw birds at
Sabkhat Al Fasl it was five more days before I saw any on the ‘patch’ when five
birds were found feeding around a flooded area of scrubby desert. The race of
Water Pipit we get is coutelli.
Otherwise birds seen in the last few days on the camp include several Daurian
Shrikes, a single showy Great Reed Warbler in the scrub by the pond and plenty
of duck still present. Highest counts were 21 Ferruginous Ducks, ten Common
Pochard, six Eurasian Teal and 25 Northern Shoveller. Otherwise migrants were
few and far between with 20+ Barn Swallows and seven Sand Martins over the pond
and a Common Snipe and six Black-winged Stilts on the settling pond.
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| Water Pipit |
 |
| Daurian Shrike |
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| Ferruginous Ducks |
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| Indian Myna & Common Snipe |