Whilst birdwatching the Jubail area last weekend it became clear that a
large number of migrants were about. Good numbers of Willow Warblers were seen
flitting about in most areas of cover and shrikes were about in good numbers
with twenty Turkestan Shrikes, five Daurian Shrikes and a single stunning male
Red-backed Shrike. The Red-backed Shrike was very early as they normally do not
occur until 1 May. Double figure counts of Common Redstarts, Yellow Wagtais,
including an amazingly bright lutea,
unfortunately too close to photograph and Red-throated Pipits were present
also. Smaller numbers of Tree Pipits and Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins were seen
as were two Whinchats the first of the year. A Spotted Crake was at the edge of
a flooded pool on the sabkha and several summer-plumaged Wood Sandpipers were
also seen. Other waders included some summer plumage Curlew Sandpipers and
plenty of Ruff and Little Stints. Squacco Herons were plentiful with many in
full breeding plumage. Winter birds remained in small numbers with several
White Wagtails and two Greater Spotted Eagles. Up to eight Western Marsh
Harriers were still around and plenty of Little Egrets and Greater Flamingos. As
always Grey-headed Swamphens were seen in good numbers although one had met an
untimely end in the mouth of an Arabian Red Fox. Lastly a single Pied
Kingfisher was seen flying over but too quickly for any photographs to be taken
of it.
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| Red-throated Pipit |
 |
| Common Redstart |
 |
| Common Redstart |
 |
| Turkestan Shrike |
 |
| Whinchat |
 |
| Whinchat |
 |
| Wood Sandpiper |
 |
| Curlew Sandpiper |
 |
| Little Egret |
 |
| Grey-headed Swamphen |
