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10 March 2018

Little Crake trapped and ringed – Sabkhat Al Fasl

Whilst ringing at Sabkhat Al Fasl on 23 Febrayry 2018 I trapped and ringed an adult male Little Crake. This was a new ringing species for me and the first one we have trapped and ringed in Saudi Arbaia. The species is seldom recorded in the Eastern Province although is probably an uncommon migrant through the region. Previously it was regarded as a scarce but regularly recorded passage migrant in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, mainly in marshy areas or pools overhung by vegetation. Birds generally occur during spring migration from February to end of April with peak numbers in March where up to five birds were present in Dhahran Saudi Aramco Camp in the wet areas by the percolation pond in February and March 2012. Birds occur during autumn migration from September to October with a peak in October so this bird fits in well with the records. The grassy irrigated areas of Haradh have previously been the best place to locate the species where surprisingly high numbers have been located. Few birders visit this area now in the spring and autumn mainly visiting in the winter months.
Little Crake

Little Crake