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29 May 2016

Black-necked Grebe at Half Moon Bay – Record by Jess Crumpton

Jess Crumpton photographed a Black-necked Grebe that came up on the Half Moon Bay beach at the weekend. She had never seen one there before in five years of visiting the area. 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. This record was a good one as it is late for the species and it was an adult in full summer plumage a sight I have not seen myself in the Kingdom. I thank Jess for sending me the details and for allowing me to use her photos on my website that are reproduced below.