One of the reasons for going to Haradh pivot
irrigation fields recently was to see if any birds of prey were present. This
is a know area for small numbers of Eagles and Harriers to spend the winter
with others passing on migration. Early February is the start of the migration
season here in Saudi Arabia and we were hopeful of seeing a few good birds. We
were not to be disappointed with the first bird seen being an Eastern Imperial
Eagle. It was sitting on a pivot irrigation spray bar but would not allow us to
approach it at all and on four different occasions flew off well before we were
within range for photographs. Whilst walking through the spray fields trying to
get good views of the eagle we came across a group of 17 Lesser Kestrels and
saw more throughout the day making a total of at least 35 birds. We also saw
three Common Kestrels in different fields. Harriers were also seen in good
numbers with two Pallid Harriers seen over the desert just as it was getting
light. We saw a further three Pallid Harriers and five Western Marsh Harriers
in various pivot irrigation fields throughout the day including one that I
photographed below that flew right by the car giving the opportunity of full
frame photographs.
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| Pallid Harrier |
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| Pallid Harrier |
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| Pallid Harrier |
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| Common Kestrel |