A days birding at Sabkhat Al Fasl rather than
ringing, as the ringing was canclled due to strong winds, produced a number of
good birds. A few interesting waders were seen but numbers were quite low.
Dunlin was probably the most common with some birds feeding on small wetland
pools well away from the main flooded sabkhat area. Little Stints were also
seen in reasonable numbers with Marsh Sandpipers and Grey Plovers in single
figures. Resident birds seen included Grey-headed Swamphens, a species that is
guaranteed at this location but at no other in the Kingdom and Long-legged
Buzzard a breeding resident that is rarely seen at the site. There has been one
seen hanging around for the last few weeks with the bird I saw presumably the
same bird. European Stonechats were seen in a couple of places with plenty of
Western Great Egrets on the main flooded sabkha. A male Northern Pintail was
seen but soon disappeared with plenty of Squacco Herons also in the wet areas
where the Northern Pintail was seen. I also saw a couple of small flocks of 20+
Spanish Sparrows, birds that have started occurring in small groups in the
winter at this site in the last three years.
 |
| Dunlin |
 |
| Little Stint |
 |
| Marsh Sandpiper |
 |
| Grey Plover |
 |
| Grey-Headed Swamphen |
 |
| Northern Pintail - male |
 |
| Western Great Egret |
 |
| Long-legged Buzzard |
 |
| Long-legged Buzzard |
 |
| Squacco Heron |
 |
| Spanish Sparrow |