Whilst birding the Jubail area recently Phil Roberts saw two
Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa and
managed to take the below amazing photo of the two flying together in what
looks like formation. The photo is made more amazing as the species is a scarce
migrant and winter visitor to all areas of Saudi Arabia. Birds of the Riyadh
Region (Stagg 1994) says the species is an autumn passage migrant and winter
visitor in variable numbers that passes from late August through to April. Winter
birds are present between late December and early March. Birds od the Eastern
Province (Bundy 1989) says the species is a winter visitor to the Eastern
Province that is scarce and irregular away from Dammam. Birds have been seen in
all months but mainly between August to June with most recently being seen in
Tarout Bay. Birds of the Tihamah coastal plains in the southwest of the Kingdom
says the species is locally abundant where it is seen both inland and on the
coast. I thank Phil for allowing me to use his photograph, which is reproduced
with permission below.
