Birds of Saudi Arabia: Migration in full swing

Birding the Dhahran Wastewater Lake in early May produced a good number of migrants. Shrikes were plentiful with up to ten Red-backed Shrikes and at least two Lesser Grey Shrike, a species not seen commonly in Dhahran. The birds were feeding on beetles on a grassy area but also in the scrubs beside the wastewater lake. A single large Acacia tree has a minimum of thirty warblers in it, most being Willow Warbler but at least two Barred Warbles, a single Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and a Common Whitethroat were also present. Other migrants included a flock of nine European Bee-eaters flying over calling and double figure numbers of Spotted Flycatchers. Whinchat, another scarce visitor to the Dhahran area was seen in the highest numbers since I have been here with at least seven birds recorded. Yellow Wagtails were seen in various locations in small numbers but totalled 26 birds in total with some nice male thumbergi seen at close range. A few pipits were seen flying over calling with all being Red-throated and one or two were also in the grassy areas feeding on insects.