A trip to the Dhahran Hills Lake produced the normal egrets, herons and ducks, with 43 Northern Shoveler and seven Ferruginous Ducks. A Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper were new in but most bird remained as per the previous week or so. Five Gull-billed Terns and plenty of Great Cormorant were still around so I spent a bit of time looking in the grass and reed area at the edge of the pond. There was not much to be seen, but a Caspian Reed Warbler, Water Pipit and a small flock of Indian Silverbill were seen well. The Indian Silverbill have been around for the past week, but have never allowed close approach, although this time I managed to get reasonably close and took the below two photos. A group of almost 30 Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters were flying around and perching on the overhead lines at the far end of the lake but otherwise it was fairly quiet.
 |
Indian Silverbill |
 |
Indian Silverbill |
 |
Grey Heron |