Birds of Saudi Arabia: Things hotting up

Whilst birding Sabkhat Al Fasl 6 March a lot more migrants were seen than in previous trips. Things started off well with three Pied Wheatears seen on arrival at the site just after first light and got better with a singing Savi’s Warbler shortly afterwards. Plenty of shrikes were seen including Daurian, Turkestan and Woodchat (see previous post) and good numbers of Common Swift, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow and Sand Martin were also seen. Good numbers of Black-headed Wagtails along with White Wagtails were also present and a few wintering Water Pipits and Red-spotted Bluethroats were also around the reed edges. Clamorous and Caspian Reed Warblers were singing from almost every stretch of reed-beds showing the breeding season is here or nearly so. A few more Pied Wheatears and several Isabelline Wheatears were hopping around on the bare earth and several waders species including Kentish Plover, Ruff, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Marsh Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper were seen. Only one Greater Spotted Eagle and less than ten Western Marsh Harriers were seen showing birds are moving off back to their breeding grounds. Common Kingfishers were still present in small numbers as were Eastern Stonechats and resident species such as Purple Swamphen and Caspian Terns were seen.