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02 November 2015

A White tailed Lapwing flock in Tabuk – Bird records by Viv Wilson

Viv Wilson saw a small flock of seven White-tailed Lapwings together in Tabuk in late November, this being the largest gathering of this scarce species recorded in the Kingdom as far as I am aware. White-tailed Lapwing is a scarce passage migrant and winter visitor to Saudi Arabia with records scattered throughout from the southwest to the northeast. Viv also saw a few other waders including Black-winged Stilts, Wood Sandpipers and Common Snipe as well as the much scarcer Water Rail a bird I am yet to photograph myself within the Kingdom. Other birds associated with wetlands seen included Grey Herons, Graceful Prinias and Great Reed Warbler a species passing through in large numbers at present across a wide front. Birds of Prey located included Western Marsh harriers, Common Kestrels and Black Kites, three species that are common winter visitors to the surroundings of Tabuk.
White-Tailed Lapwing
White-Tailed Lapwing
Wood Sandpiper
Wood Sandpiper
Common Snipe
Common Snipe
Water Rail
Water Rail
Western Marsh Harrier
Western Marsh Harrier
Great Reed Warbler
Great Reed Warbler
Graceful Prinia
Graceful Prinia
Grey Heron
Grey Heron
Black Kite
Black Kite