Mohammed Al-Ruqaya sent me a few more photos of his last trips to
Sabkhat Al Fasl where he photographed a number of passage migrants. Probably
the best bird was an Egyptian Nightjar a species that has been seen in high
numbers at the site this year with the largest single count for the Kingdom of
15 recorded in August. Other good birds included European Roller, a species
that has had a very good autumn passage this year with many more birds than
normal being seen throughout the northern part of the country at least. Woodchat
Shrike is another species where much larger numbers than normal have been seen
this autumn again throughout most of the north of the country. Passage waders
have been slowly increasing I numbers of the last few weeks and Mohammed
photographed a Ruddy Turnstone, one of the least common of the waders but still
seen in small numbers of ten or so on most visits during the autumn migration
season. Hirundine numbers have also been increasing with mixed flocks of Sand
Martins and Barn Swallows seen around the location with Mohammed amazing photo
of a banking Sand Martin showing a barn Swallow in the background to emphasise
the point. Squacco Heron numbers on the other hand have been decreasing since
their very large numbers of late July and early August but there are still
plenty of adult and juvenile birds around.
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| Egyptian Nightjar |
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| European Roller |
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| Woodchat Shrike |
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| Ruddy Turnstone |
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| Sand Martin & Barn Swallow |
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| Squacco Herron |
