Whilst birding at Sabkhat Al Fasl on 4 December Phil Roberts and I found
five Black-necked Grebes, just after I had said it was about time we saw our
first ones for the winter. Two were in different places on the main flooded
sabkha area near the power station with three others on the opposite side of
the main pylon track on a large pool. All were in winter plumage as would be
expected at this time of year. The Black-necked Grebe is an uncommon but regular
visitor to the Eastern Province from late August through March but becomes
scarce in April and May and rare in the summer. It is usually local in coastal
waters but counts of over 40 are not unusual in Half Moon Bay. Small numbers
occur inland and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, away from the Eastern Province,
birds have occurred in Riyadh, Tabuk and the Red Sea, as well as in the Jizan
region.
