Alma Swartz found a Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus on the Cricket/Football Fields a few days ago and although both Alma and Eric saw it again, I failed every time I visited. They told me the bird was skittish and did not like it when it saw anyone, which would make it difficult to photograph even if I did see it. On 31 October I finally manged to locate the bird on the football fields although it was at the very back, I managed to find a place where I could drive the car close to it and took the below photos. Even here with me in the car the bird flew once as a Eurasian Collared Dove landed near it and it took fright. Abd it did not tolerate anything near it. I have only seen the species three times on the camp in Dhahran, once very close to this location in November 2017 and twice flying over with one in winter 2020 and three in November 2023. The Birds of the Eastern Province 1989 mentioned Northern Lapwing were a scarce and somewhat irregular visitor with records from November to early April but chiefly from November through January. In 1979-71 up to 15 wintered in Dhahran but this proved to be exceptional, showing how large this flock was. Elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, high counts have been at 425 at Haradh 5 February 2016, at Al Safi Dairy farm, Central Province, where at least 111 individuals were seen 25 January 2001. Birds of Thumamah 1988-1994 said maximum numbers were 100 in the winter 1992/1993. Its status in the Kingdom is as an uncommon winter visitor to all areas north of a line from Hofuf, through Riyadh to Hail. Small flocks of birds have been seen this November at a couple of sites near Jubail with the largest count being 26.
