Whilst birding the Jebals of the Jebal
Hamrah area with Phil Roberts we relocated the Hooded Wheatear that I had seen
the week previously. This may be because the bird has wintered here although
alternatively may be a long staying spring migrant or possibly looking for
somewhere to breed. A visit during the summer may shed some more light on the
species status in the Eastern Province as a possible breeder. A single Blue
Rock Thrush was located at the bottom of the escarpment, but did not linger
long before flying off. This species is an uncommon passage migrant to the
Eastern Province and is generally not seen on the coast, with most birds moving
well inland before settling as this bird did. The number of species seen in the
jebal areas is normally very low but this area is very good for both
White-crowned Wheatear and Desert Lark. More than ten of each of these species
were seen, with a few of the Wheatears singing and the larks regularly calling
to each other. This area is a less populated and more pleasant area to bird
then the Shedgum Escarpment but is further to drive to reach unfortunately.
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| Hooded Wheatear - female |
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| Hooded Wheatear - female |
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| White-crowned Wheatear |
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| Desert Lark |
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| Desert Lark |
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| Desert Lark |
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| Desert Lark |
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| Desert Lark |
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| Blue Rock-Thrush - female |