Nicole, Harald and I went
ringing at Sabkhat Al Fasl for the first time in three weeks as the wind has
been too strong recently to ring. We caught mostly the same birds as migration
is only just starting but we did catch our first migrant Caspian Reed Warblers
and Sedge Warblers. Both these species have arrived early this year with the
first Caspian Reed Warblers heard in late January. Sedge Warblers normally do
not arrive until March so they are here earlier than expected. Both these
species should be caught in larger numbers over the next few weeks until they
peak in April. Other warblers caught include a few Common Chiffchaffs that will
be declining in numbers over the next few weeks to be replaced by Willow
Warblers and plenty of resident Indian (Clamorous) Reed Warblers that are
singing in force for various places. Other birds caught included good numbers
of Red-spotted Bluethroats, Common Kingfishers, a male Little Bittern, a Water
Pipit and a Daurian Shrike. We caught a total of thirty birds during the
mornings ringing and if we could work out a way of trapping the White Wagtails
and Water Pipits that were around the nets in good number we could catch many
more. The last two species can see the nets and fly over or around them and are
only ever caught if flushed from close range into the nets and even then they
normally avoid the nets.
_Reed_Warbler.jpg "Caspian Reed Warbler") |
| Caspian Reed Warbler |
_Reed_Warbler1.jpg "Caspian Reed Warbler") |
| Caspian Reed Warbler |
_Reed_Warbler2.jpg "Caspian Reed Warbler") |
| Caspian Reed Warbler |
_Reed_Warbler2.jpg "Indian (Clamorous) Reed Warbler") |
| Indian (Clamorous) Reed Warbler |
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| Common Chiffchaff |
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| Red-spotted Bluethroat - male |
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| Little Bittern - male |
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| Little Bittern - male |
