Breeding Purple Swamphens at Sabkhat Al Fasl - Bird records by Phil Roberts

Phil went to Sabkhat Al Fasl near Jubail last weekend but didn't really see anything out of the ordinary with a Eurasian Spoonbill probably the best bird.  This species although common on the west coast of the Kingdom is an uncommon visitor to the Eastern Province with the coasts near Jubail and Dammam the best places to see them. Phil also saw quite a few Red-backed Shrikes, though not in the vast numbers seen some years. Purple Swamphens were still about in good numbers at always with Phil managing to get a photo of an adult with young showing breeding has occurred again at this breeding site, which is only one of two known sites in the Kingdom. Square Herons in full breeding plumage were also seen where they possibly breed but this has not been proven conclusively yet. Phil has kindly allowed me to use a few of his photos below of birds seen on his last visit.

Purple Swamphen with chick

Squacco Heron