The small pond on the edge of
Dhahran Hills golf course has been attracting some good birds in the last
month. The water level has dropped considerably at the pond but two large
herons were seen flying over and perched in the nearby trees yesterday. The
most interesting was a Western Great Egret a species recorded only occasionally
on the patch. The species is a regular winter visitor
to coastal areas south to Dammam mainly from September to March and occasionally
in late May. The largest counts of the species have come in recent years from
Sabkhat Al Fasl where up to 150 birds have been seen together. The other
species was a Grey Heron a more common visitor but again not common. Birds have
been seen by several people on the camp, in the desert area by the side of the
golf course so this bird is presumably the same one. Despite a good search of
the pond and nearby trees the only other interesting birds seen were a few fly
over Pallid Swifts, a single Little Egret, several Indian (Clamorous) Reed
Warblers, a male Turkestan Shrike and a Common Whitethroat.
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| Western Great Egret |
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| Western Great Egret |
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| Western Great Egret |
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| Western Great Egret |
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| Western Great Egret |
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| Grey Heron |
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| Grey Heron |
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| Grey Heron |