I visited in the morning Al Abraq Al Khabari and later  SAANR with Brian Foster. Migration is on the full swing. In Al Abraq we had Eastern Orphean Warbler, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, 2 Turkmenistan Shrikes, Whitethroat, Rock Thrush, Redstarts of race samamisicus etc. first for this spring. In SAANR we had several Pale Rock Sparrows, three Hoopoe Larks, c. 40 Caspian Plovers, 176 Ruff, 17 Avocets and huge amount of Painted Lady butterflies. Thousands and thousands of them flying around.

Turkmenistan Shrike (Lanius phoenicuroides)

Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis)

Persian Wheatear (Oenanthe chrysopygia) This species was formerly regarded as a race of Kurdish Wheatear (Oenanthe xanthoprymna)

Pale Rock Sparrow (Carpospiza brachydactyla)

Hoopoe Lark (Alaemon alaudipes)

This is a brief report about our trip to Egypt especially regarding WP-species. My wife Tiina flew from Finland to Cairo and I flew there from Kuwait via Luxor. First morning we checked wadi El Natrum for Kittlitz’s Plover. Eventually we saw 3 birds. Of course, this trip was cultural one as well so in the afternoon we viseted Giza pyramids. One day was spent in Egyptian Museum which is absolutely must for any visitor. Two following mornings were spent in Abassa. This area is essential for many WP-species. In the first morning we managed to see Painted Snipe and Senegal Thicknee. Following morning was blessed with Streaked Weaver, Senegal Thicknee again, two Purpple Swamp-hens ssp. madagascariensis and finally Senegal Coucal which I heard calling. Without noticing its relatively quiet call I rushed toward the call and flushed the bird from the nearest tree. Luckily it landed on the other one so that with a scope we had very a good view.

Next stop was Luxor and Crocodile Island. In the first morning we found quickly several Nile Valley Sunbirds and two more Purpple Swamp-hens but the area where Red Avadavats have been seen was under construction and fenced off. We tried to negotiate with security officer at the rear end of the area in vain. Next day we hired rowing boat to see the area at least from the river – again in vain. Then we spotted a tourist couple walking in the area. Now I negotiated with security officer at the end of bridge. First he refused to allow us in but after explaining that we had seen other people walking there he said be careful. We walked barely 500 meters and there they were 4 birds together!

Aswan being our next stop produced three Egyptian Geese. However, motorboat trip to Kitchener’s Island was fantastic since I managed to photograph Senegal Thicknee (11) and one Purple Swamp-hen. (Felucca is cheaper but not so photographer friendly) Later on we visited Elephantine Island where one Acacia tree was flowering next to Nilometer. It atracted many Nile Valley Sunbirds and I had good photographic opportunies. One drawback was that we couldn’t visit Three-banded Plover site. It is located between High Dam and the airport which is also airbase. Therefore the permit into the area is more than complicated. I don’t know how people have visitid the area. If caught by military is not very desibrable option. At least do not take any camera with you if you choose to sneak in. I do not recommend that.

Abu Simbel was our final destination in Egypt. Do not choose one day trip in the convoy in the morning and returning after two hours. There is no chance for birding and even Temple area is too crowded. Stay at least one night over there. We spent three nights and it paid off.  We saw all main species; a pair of  African Pied Wagtail, several Pink-backed Pelicans and at least two Yellow-billed Storks. Surprisingly we didn’t see any Kittlitz’s Plover over there.

Female Painted Snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) Photographed in Abassa on 20. Feb.

Senegal Thicknee (Burhinus senegalensis) Photographed on Kitchener Island, Aswan, on 27 Feb.

Female Streaked Weaver (Ploceus manyar) Photographed in Abassa 21 Feb.

Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava) Photographed on Crocodile Island, Luxor, 25. Feb.

Purpple Swamp-hen ( Porphyrio porphyrio ssp. madagascariensis) Kitchener Island, Aswan, 27. Feb.

Nile Valley Sunbird (Anthreptes metallicus) Elephantine Island, Aswan, 28. Feb.

Yellow-billed Stork (Mycteria ibis) Abu Simbel 2. March.

Kuwait had good rain this year so the Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve, at the pool there were the five Common Cranes, they were first seen on 13/01/2010.

Common Crane Grus grus 

Malcolmia grandiflora is spreading in large areas in the SAANR

General view of the Um Erimmam Wadi

Jahra Pool Reserve is very much welcomed site with fresh water and reedbeds. It provides excellent environment for those birds that we used to find at Jarra East Outfall. The latter one being under  threat we have now  a good alternative and it is safe for birds. Purple Swamp-hens are calling intensively and we can expect them to breed again. This is also the site for Basra Reed Warbler and many other species. Today I managed to photograph Little Crake, Baillon’s Crake, Little Grebe and Bluethroat.

Little Crake (Porzana parva)

Baillon’s Crake (Porzana pusilla)

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Ouda Al-Bathali and I went in the afternoon to SAANR to search for the Hume’s Wheatear, we found it later in the same wadi as described and found a Trumpeter Finch in the same wadi. Later we heard a Common Crane was at the lake we went there but it became dark and we had to leave.

Hume’s Wheatear Oenanthe alboniger

Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus

After seeing and photographing the Pharaoh Eagle Owl in Saudi Arabia two days ago, today I managed to see and photograph another bird in Kuwait!.

Rashed had found the bird this morning at 10 am and most of the resident birders had a chance to see the bird.

Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Bubo ascalaphus desertorum

Same group than yesterday  added with Rick Saval and Brian Foster visited Al Abraq this morning. As it often happens in the beginning the place looked dead, like it had been last two weeks, then suddenly things started to emerge. First Rick found Great Spotted Cuckoo, strange time of the year I have to say, while we were still talking about this we spotted 120 Pin-tailed Sangrouses flying over. As a reference I can tell that Brian and myself, being in the country since 2004, haven’t seen a single bird before. Later on 40+160 birds more were observed totalling 320 flying South-East. Good rainfall and subsequently abundant vegetation must have something to do with this. Later I checked with Brian farm’s fields and we spotted Buff-bellied Pipit, which was seen eventually by everyone. This is a good example how things can change in a place like Al Abraq.

Juvenile Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius)

Great Spotted Cuckoo

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata)

Buff-bellied Pipit (Anthus rubescens ssp. japonicus)

Buff-bellied Pipit

I was able to visit today Kabd with Andy Clifton, Alan Clewes and Richard Bonser. After seeing Hume’s Wheatear at SAANR during previous days we wanted to check what is the situation of larks in Kabd which is known as the best breeding site of Black-crowned Finch Larks and Dunn’s Larks in Kuwait. Management in charge of the research station belonging to Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) in Sulaibia was so kind to let us to visit the area. Since two previous years (winters) have been very dry larks have moved away. We managed to find two Black-crowned Finch Larks and one Dunn’s Lark which was very positive sign that they are slowly coming back. This winter we have recieved very good rainfall and therefore vegetation is blooming now. Surprisingly we saw Griffon Vulture flying over us.

Dunn’s Lark (Eremelauda dunni)

We Saad Al-Nouri, Ouda Al-Bathali and AbdulRahman Al-Sirhan wanted to explore the Wadi Al-Batin,  it is situated closed to the border between Kuwait and Iraq and closed for security reasons, our aim was to search for some plants and birds, so we decided to go to Saudi Arabia as the Wadi continues to Saudi Arabia.

Our highlight of the trip was a Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Bubo ascalaphus desertorum. We also found Temminck’s Lark 4, Bar-tailed lark 2, Hoopoe Lark 4.

 Pharaoh Eagle Owl, Bubo ascalaphus desertorum

Desert Lark, Ammomanes deserti

Hoopoe Lark, Alaemon alaudipes

I visited the site this morning with Abdulmohsen Al-Suraye and Khaled Al-Ghanem. In early morning after cold night +10C the bird spent considerably long time just warming up. By 9.30 it started to catch insects. It shares big wadi with Mourning Wheatear both having their own territories. Desert Warbler wasn’t problem in his territory.

Hume’s Wheatear (Oenanthe alboniger)

Humes’s Wheatear

I visited SAANR today to check whether Hume’s Wheatear is still present and it surely is. I tried to relocate Common Cranes but they were gone. As a new feature I encountered a flock of 100+ Lesser Short-toed Larks. Larks seem to arrive little by little after two dry winters . This winter rainfall has been plentiful. Hopefully they breed normally in late February/early March. Vegetation is at its best at the moment. It is nice to see wild flowers in abundance again after those dry winters.

Lesser Short-toed Lark (Calandrella rufescens)

I was doing our regular wader count with Brian in Doha area when Rashed Al-Hajji called and told that he had found Lesser Flamingo. We had to rush quickly to the site near Maturnity Hospital in Sulaibikhat. (Same place where we had the first record on 15. Dec. 2007)  On our way we checked Manchester Club where we saw 60+ Crab Plovers. Lesser Flamingo was still present when we arrived and we saw it very well.

Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor)

Lesser Flamingo surrounded by Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber)

Crab Plover (Dromas ardeola)

Back in Kuwait and immediately I had to check whether our gem is still present and it is. Personally the bird of the day was Common Crane. I saw 5 of them in SAANR (5th record for Kuwait if accepted by KORC)  and on my way I had Great Bittern at Manchester Club. Not so bad start for this decade.

Hume’s Wheatear (Oenanthe alboniger)

Hume’s Wheatear

Common Crane (Grus grus)

Common Crane

Great Bittern (Botaurus stellaris)

On 14/12/2009 Khaled Al-Ghanem has found three Great Crested Grebes, a rare bird in Kuwait, at the eastern part of Jahra Pool Reserve (a coastal area).

Great Crested Grebe 3, Eurasian Wigeon 63, Common Shelduck 3

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus

Brian and me visited SAANR today. Tulha was totally dead and we managed to see  only 4 Bar-taied Desert Larks and 1 Hoopoe Lark + 1 Long-legged Buzzard after long drive out there. However, as a last thing we checked one big wadi near entrance. I spotted a wheatear and without carefully looking it  I  just said Mourning Wheatear but luckily Brian really watched the bird and said that it is Hume’s Wheatear. Then I had to rush back to the car to get my camera. This is 8th record for Kuwait.

Hume’s Wheatear (Oenanthe alboniger)

Hume’s Wheatear

Hume’s Wheatear