There have been two White-throated Kingfishers at
Sabkhat Al Fasl this winter with the first birds seen in early January 2015. On
24 January we increased this number to three birds. This is the highest count
of birds at this site for many years but as they breed as near as Riyadh, 400
kilometres away, and this is an excellent wetland area then there is a
possibility they will breed here in the near future. The species was treated as
a vagrant to the Eastern Province but is now clearly a scarce winter visitor.
The below photos are all of a single bird seen along the main track of the
location where they have now become easier to see due to the eradication of
fishermen at the location due to the strong policing of the site by the Saudi
Wildlife Authority. This has created a much less disturbed habitat that most of
the species including White-throated Kingfisher appear to like.
