03 September 2024

Water Rail – Khafrah Marsh

Whilst birding Khafrah Marsh at the end of August we found a Water Rail feeding along the back of a wet pool area. This is a species that we seldom see and was the first time we have seen one at this location although we have heard them calling there before. The Water Rail is an uncommon winter visitor to the Gulf and Red Sea areas as well as Tabuk. In the Eastern Province it is a scarce breeding resident in small numbers in the Gulf Wetlands but a more common winter visitor. I have yet to take any good photos of this species in Saudi Arabia and did not improve my record with the ones below.