10 November 2024

Black-winged Kites again – Khafrah Marsh

Whilst birding Khafra Marsh recently we saw a few interesting birds, but photography was poor due to the weather and strong winds. The best bird was a ‘fulvescens’ Greater Spotted Eagle, but we also saw the normal pair or Black-winged Kites in the favoured area. These birds are now breeding residents at this location and amazing change in status considering they were a vagrant less than ten years ago. Grey-headed Swamphen is now seen at this location on every visit and possible more will arrive soon due to the decline in status of the nearby Sabkhat Al Fasl wetland. We found one amazing set of small fields being used as a market garden growing area that had well over 300 Kentish Plover, 100 Black-winged Stilts, 25 White Wagtail and two Squacco Herons.

Black-winged Kite

Squacco Heron

Daurian Shrike