Whilst ringing in September
at Jubail, we trapped and ringed a new species for me in Terek Sandpiper Tringa cinerea. We very rarely catch wading
birds so this was a big surprise when it ended up in a mist net set along the
side of a wet pool. Terek Sandpiper is a widespread
and sometimes common migrant to all areas of the Kingdom although is uncommon
inland. It is a passage migranat and winter visitor to both coasts with a few in
summer. It is more common on the Red Sea coast than the Gulf coast but still
remains common along the Eastern Province coastline. Spring passage is from
March to early June, mainly from late April, when birds occasionally occur
inland as well as on the coast. Some non-breeding immatures stay the summer
through June and July and then in August it becomes abundant along the coast.
