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13 April 2015

Red-throated and Tree Pipits – Dhahran Hills golf course

A trip to Dhahran Hills golf course in early April allowed me to scan the grassy fairways near to the walking path. Here I saw plenty of pipits of two different species. The majority were Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus with up to ten in small flocks in a couple of places. Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis was also seen but in much smaller numbers of twos or threes. The Tree Pipits were seen on the grass as well as in the nearby trees and hedges. Red-throated Pipit is also a common passage migrant to all areas of the Kingdom. Recorded from mid-March to May in spring, with a noticeable peak in middle of April. Lower numbers are seen in autumn between early-October and late-November when it is generally uncommon with a few wintering in Central and eastern areas as well as Tabuk. A large flock of 250 were seen at TADCO farm, 20 February 2009 in the north of the country that may have been wintering birds or early migrants. Tree Pipit is a common passage migrant to all areas of Saudi Arabia that are recorded in spring mainly from mid-March to late-April, in numbers up to 20 birds, and in much lower numbers, during autumn between September and October and also occasionally November. Early birds are sometimes seen in January and February and numbers fluctuate widely each year with sometimes very few and other years hundreds.
Red-throated Pipit
Red-throated Pipit
Red-throated Pipit
Red-throated Pipit
Red-throated Pipit
Red-throated Pipit
Tree Pipit
Tree Pipit
Tree Pipit
Tree Pipit
Tree Pipit
Tree Pipit