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04 May 2016

Black-tailed Godwits flying in formation - Jubail

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.