A day out in the Jubail area produced a
few interesting birds. As mentioned in a previous post whilst birding the
Jubail area on 11 December I saw four Black-necked Grebes. A single bird was seen
initially followed by two together and then a partially summer plumage bird
made it four. I went back to the same location two weeks later and the numbers
of Black-necked Grebes had increased to 21 birds. This is the largest count of
the species seen in the Eastern Province for many years and as it is the start
of winter numbers may continue building. The Black-necked Grebe is an uncommon
but regular visitor to the Eastern Province from late August (normally
November) through March but becomes scarce in April and May and rare in the
summer. A few harriers including a male Pallid Harrier and several Western
Marsh Harriers including a male were good to see as were tens of Common
Kestrels. A Steppe Buzzard and an adult Greater Spotted Eagle completed the
raptors. A few pipits including plenty of Water Pipits, several Tawny Pipits
and a few Meadow Pipits were in and around any grass area found and several
Eurasian Skylarks were also present. A single White-winged Tern was seen flying
around a large lake and an Arabian Grey Shrike on a fence.
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| Arabian Grey Shrike |
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| Western Marsh Harrier - male |
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| White-winged Tern |