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17 April 2016

Mauryan Grey Shrike Dhahran – Bird record by Paul Wells

Paul Wells was birding in Dhahran when he came across a Mauryan Grey Shrike (formerly Steppe Grey Shrike). Mauryan Grey Shrike Lanius lahtora is an uncommon winter visitor to the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia in small numbers and a common passage migrant from late February to early April with most birds seen in March and again in September and October. After this month wintering individuals obscure passage birds so it is difficult to define the actual period of passage migrants. They prefer open habitat with sparse trees on which they perch looking for food. I thank Paul for sending me the details and allowing me to use his photograph of the bird on my website which is reproduced below.