Whilst birding the Dhahran Hills Cricket Field 15 September, I found and photographed a single Collared Pratincoles Glareola pratincola. This species is an uncommon passage migrant to the Eastern Province with birds seen in small numbers most years. They occur from late March to May and in August and September. During the remaining summer months and in October it tends to be scarce and irregular. Records are more common in the autumn than spring in Riyadh with autumn movement from late July to late October, peaking late August to early September, when flocks of 40 plus (mainly juveniles) are regularly encountered. In the southwest, west and northwest of the country records are more common mainly at freshwater inland areas where flocks of over 100 have been recorded at Tabuk. The bird I saw looked like it may have just arrived as it allowed close approach, even on foot, which is not common. They more often than not occur in groups rather than singly.
