Birds of Saudi Arabia: Winter birds & Residents

Last weekend’s birding trip to Sabkhat Al Fasl produced quite a few winter visitors as well as resident species. One of the most unusual was a juvenile Long-legged Buzzard. This species is rarely seen at the location although presumably the same bird has been around for a few months. It is never easy to photograph and I managed to grab a single flight shot as it flew over the car. Other winter species seen included Red-spotted Bluethroat that have been common at the site this year as well as Common Kingfisher. Most Common Kingfishers have been females but a couple of males have been seen recently possibly showing the males and females winter in different areas and males are now starting to pass back through on migration? Western Osprey is a resident and is also not regularly seen at the site although sightings are much commoner than Long-legged Buzzard. A single Western Osprey was seen over the wetlands near the power station and three Greater Spotted Eagles were also seen. Although Purple Swamphen is resident and common at this site it is the only place where seeing the species is guaranteed and double figures were encountered on this trip. A good number of Common Starlings were also seen in the reeds, a species that winters at the location but is often not seen as they spend much of their time feeding inside the reed beds and out of view. Various Eastern Stonechats were also located during the mornings birding as were plenty of herons including Western Great Egret, Western Cattle Egret, Indian Reef Heron, Little Egret and Grey Heron. A couple of other good wintering birds included a Mauryan Grey Shrike and four Song Thrushes.