Whilst birding Jubail at end of April, a number of migrants were recorded including more than sixty shrikes. The majority of shrikes were Red-backed Shrikes although good numbers of Turkestan Shrikes were also seen along with five Lesser Grey Shrikes. These were my first records of the spring for Lesser Grey Shrike, one of the least common of the passage migrant shrikes through the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Apart from shikes, the wader numbers were still quite good particularly for Wood Sandpiper with Ruff also seen in small numbers. A Common Nightingale was seen briefly along with Spotted Flycatchers, Yellow Wagtails and Common Redstarts. The Spur-winged Plover was still present in the same place, hopefully indicating breeding is taking place and plenty of Common and Clamorous Reed Warblers were singing. Resident Grey-headed Swamphens were seen in good numbers including well grown young. Slender-billed Gulls were still around and terns seen included Gull-billed, Little, Caspian, White-winged and White-cheeked.
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| Grey-headed Swamphen - Juvenile |
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| Red-backed Shrike |
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| Red-backed Shrike |
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| Red-backed Shrike - male |
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| Turkestan Shrike |
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| Wood Sandpiper |
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| Wood Sandpiper |