A visit to Kubbar Island on 23/06/2009  produced: Bridled Tern 2200, White-cheeked Tern 2000, Greater Crested Tern 4, Lesser Crested Tern 400, Red-backed Shrike 1, Yellow Wagtail 1 (ssp. feldegg). Probably most of all the Lesser Crested Terns had chicks, 30% of the White-cheeked Terns with chicks, 2% of the Bridled Terns with chicks. Last time the Greater Crested Tern was in the middle of a closely backed Lesser Crested Tern colony with eggs. This time there was a pair in the middle of the colony with a chick very close by but this one could be a chick from the other species as most chicks have either yellow or orange bill so makes it is difficult to separate.

An ealier visit on 08/06/2009 produced: Bridled Tern 1800, White-cheeked Tern 2000, Lesser Crested Tern 400, Greater Crested Tern 1, Little Tern 26, Spoted Flycatcher 1, Sedge Warbler 1.

White-cheeked Tern

Bridled Tern.

Greater Crested Tern

Lesser Crested Tern

A trip to Yemen 6-10 May 2009
Prepared by: AbdulRahman Al-Sirhan
Participants: Pekka Fågel and AbdulRahman Al-Sirhan
Taxonomy and order following Clements Checklist 6.3.2 December 2008. English names following IOC World Bird List.

Itinerary:
Day 1: 6 May 2009:
We arrived at Sanaa at 2pm, after some delay because of the swine flu check up, our photographic equipment caught their
attention so we had to wait for someone who more knowledgeable to approve our equipment. At the gate we met Yousuf Mohageb,
the Director of Arabian Ecotour who drove us directly towards Hammam Jarif a two hour drive. We arrived at Hammam Jarif at
5pm after some stopping to see some birds including our only pair of Arabian Partridge for the trip.
Hammam Jarif was a good starting point where we saw a number of birds. Back to the Sanna and spent the night at Felix Arabia
Hotel.

Day 2: 7 May 2009:
Because we had only one hour of birding at Hamman Jarif the day before, we decided to go to Hammam Jarif again. We arrived
at 7am after leaving the Hotel at 5:30am.
After having lunch we drove towards Jabal Saber for the endemic to Yemen the Arabian Accentor. We arrived at 4:09pm and
after 10 minutes walk we found the Arabian Accentor and the endemic Yemen Thrush, we then left the place at 05:56pm,
overnight at Taj Shamsan Hotel in Taiz.

Day 3: 8 May 2009:
We went to Wadi Dhabab for the Zebra Waxbill, and then drove to some dumping site where we found Tawny Eagle. We then left
towards Duba’â, around the huge baobab tree locally known as “Shajar Ghareeb”, in search of Bush Petronia but our efforts went in vail.
Arrived at Dhi as Safal at 01:35pm to find our first Arabian Woodpecker. Overnight at Sanaa.

Day 4: 9 May 2009:
We left our hotel at 6:22am to arrive at Kawkaban at 7:16am for the Partridges and Blanford’s Lark. We found seven Philby’s
Partridges and seven Blanford’s Larks. We then left towards Wadi Al-Ahjur where we saw three African Paradise Flycatchers
and five Arabian Woodpeckers.
We then went to Al-Rayadi Cliffs, to see the colony of the Griffin Vultures, in Al Mahweet . Overnight at Al-Mahweet.

Day 5: 10 May 2009:
We first went to Al-Rayadi Cliffs, then Wadi Garadh. In our last two hours in Yemen, we wanted to spend at Al-Ahjur to wait
for the Socotra Golden-winged Grosbeak to come to drink at a small pool. After a wait of 75 minutes we finally had good
views of the bird and were able to photograph it. We then headed to the airport to arrive at three hours before flight;
the departure was at 12:30pm.

The species we found according to the Birding Sites we visited:
Hammam Jarif: 6 May 2009
Mourning Wheatear 6, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting 2 (in our way to Hammam Jarif), Tristram’s Starling 1, Arabian Partridge 2
(in our way to Hammam Jarif), Black Bush Robin 4, Blackstart 4, Ruppell’s Weaver 6, Graceful Prinia 3, Didric Cuckoo 1,
Bruce’s Green Pigeon 3, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting 6, Shining Sunbird 1, Arabian Waxbill 15, White-throated Bee-eater 1,
Green Bee-eater 2, Jacobin Cuckoo 2, Violet-Backed Starling 2, Dusky Turtle Dove 4, Red-eyed Dove 2, Grey-headed
Kingfisher 1, House Sparrow 3.

Hammam Jarif:  7 May 2009, 7:04am – 10.51am
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting 2, Blackstart 1, Didric Cuckoo 2, Jacobin Cuckoo 3, White-throated Bee-eater 3, Great Reed
Warbler 1, Socotra Golden-winged Grosbeak 1, Palestine Sunbird 1, Southern Grey Shrike 2, Black Bush Robin 2, Bruce’s
Green Pigeon 3, Violet-Backed Starling  6, Arabian Waxbill 6, Eurasian Hoopoe 1, Arabian Babbler 1, Ruppell’s Weaver 7,
Grey-headed Kingfisher 4, White-spectacled Bulbul 5, Shining Sunbird 1, Graceful Prinia 5, Rupell’s Weaver 14, African
Silverbill 5, Laughing Dove 1, Socotra Golden-winged Grosbeak 1.
Jabal Saber: 7 May 2009, 4:09am – 5:56pm
Arabian Accentor 4, Yemen Thrush 3, Yemen Linnet 5, African Stonechat 2, Abyssinian White-eye 5, White-spectacled Bulbul 1,
Dusky Turtle Dove 1, Eurasian Hoopoe 2, Little Swift 3.

Wadi Dhabab: 8 May 2009
Alpine Swift 4, Violet-Backed Starling 3, Green Bee-eater 3, Orange-breasted Waxbill 1, Arabian Serin 1, Gambaga Flycatcher 2,
Red-eyed Dove 1, Abyssinian White-eye 4, Black Kite 8, Graceful Prinia 2, Long-billed Pipit 1, African Grey Hornbill 1.
A dumping site en route to Wadi Dhabab: 8 May 2009
Fan-tailed Raven 20, Brown-necked Raven 35, Black Kite 15
At another dumping site en route to Wadi Dhabab: 8 May 2009
Tawny Eagle 2, Black Kite 20, Brown-necked Raven 3, Fan-tailed Raven 5, Violet-Backed Starling 2.

Duba: 8 May 2009
Crested Lark 1 but there were no Bush Petronia

Dhi as Safal: 8 May 2009
Long-billed Pipit 1, Whinchat 1, Blackstart 2, Little Rock Thrush 1, Alpine Swift 5, Yemen Serin1, Arabian Woodpecker 1,
Red-backed Shrike 1, Graceful Prinia 1, Gambaga Flycatcher 3, Tristram’s Starling 6, Mourning Wheatear 1, Collared Dove 1,
Eurasian Hoopoe 2, Common Pigeon 4, Crested Lark 1, Barn Swallow 1, Red-breasted Wheatear 1.

Kawkaban: 9 may 2009
Eurasian Hoopoe 1, Philby’s Partridge 7, Lesser Grey Shrike 1, Red-breasted Wheatear 7, Crested Lark 7, Blanford’s Lark 7,
Yemen Serin 6, Red-rumped Swallow 5, Palestine Sunbird 2, Yemen Linnet 2, Fan-tailed Raven 2, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting 1.

Al-Ahjur: 9 may 2009
European Reed Warbler 1, Little Rock Thrush 3, Violet-Backed Starling 4, Blackcap 1, Palestine Sunbird 4, Common Chiffchaff 1,
Marsh Warbler 1, Gambaga Flycatcher 2, Mourning Wheatear 2, Bruce’s Green Pigeon 1, African Paradise Flycatcher 3, Common
Redstart 1, Brown woodland Warbler 3, Arabian Woodpecker 5, Green Bee-eater 1, Yemen Thrush 1, Tristram’s Starling 4,
Eurasian Hoopoe 1, Scrub Warbler 1, White-throated Bee-eater 1, Western Osprey 1.

Al-Rayadi Cliffs: 9 may 2009
Red-backed Shrike 4, Abyssinian White-eye 3, Little Rock Thrush 1, Violet-Backed Starling 6, Mourning Wheatear 2, Fan-tailed
Raven 2, Yemen Thrush 2, Eurasian Hoopoe 1, Yemen Warbler 1.

Wadi Sare’e: 10 May 2009
Mourning Wheatear 3, Violet-Backed Starling 3, Little Swift 1, Tristram’s Starling 4, Abyssinian White-eye 1, Dusky Turtle
Dove 1, Collared Dove 3, Fan-tailed Raven 25, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting 2, Black Kite 2.

Wadi Al-Ahjur: 10 May 2009
Yemen Linnet 3, Didric Cuckoo 1, Fan-tailed Raven 1, Socotra Golden-winged Grosbeak 1, Common Pigeon 1, Palestine Sunbird 2.

The Species:

Philby’s Partridge, Alectoris philbyi
An endemic species to South Arabia, 7 were seen at Kawkaban on 9 May.

Arabian Partridge, Alectoris melanocephala
An endemic species to South-west Arabia, 2 were seen in our way to Kawakaban on 6 May.

Western Osprey, Pandion haliaetus
1 at Al-Ahjur on 9 My.

Black Kite, Milvus migrans aegyptius
Common with a maximum of 20 at a dumping site en route to Wadi Dhabab on 8 May.

Tawny Eagle, Aquila rapax belisarius
2 En route to Wadi Dhabab at a duping site on 8 May.

Common Pigeon, Columba livia palaestinae
A flock of 4 were seen at Dhi as Safal on 8 May, another one at Wadi Al-Ahjur on 10 May, but common everywhere.

Dusky Turtle Dove, Streptopelia lugens
4 on 6 May at Hammam Jarif, 1 on 7 May at Jabal Saber.

Red-eyed Dove, Streptopelia semitorquata
2 at Hammam Jarif on 6 May, 1 on 8 May at Wadi Dhabab.

Laughing Dove, Streptopelia senegalensis senegalensis
1 at Hammam Jarif on 6 May.

Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Treron waalia
3 on 6 May and 7 May at Hammam Jarif, 1 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May.

Jacobin Cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus
2 on 6 May at Hammam Jarif, 3 at Hammam Jarif on 7 May.

Dideric Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius
1 on 6 May at Hammam Jarif, 2 at Hammam Jarif on 7 May and 1 at Wadi Al-Ahjur on 10 May.

Little Swift, Apus affinis galilejensis
3 on our way to Jabal Saber on 7 May and 1 at Wadi Sare’e on 10 May.

Alpine Swift, Tachymarptis melba archeri
4 at Wadi Dhabab on 8 May and 5 at Dhi as Safal on 8 May

Grey-headed Kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala semicaerulea
1 on 6 May and 3 on 7 May at Hammam Jarif. Endemic ssp. to South-west Arabia.

White-throated Bee-eater, Merops albicollis
1 on 6 May and 3 on 7 May at Hammam Jarif, and 1 on 9 May at Al-Ahjur.

Green Bee-eater, Merops orientalis cyanophrys
2 at Hamman Jarif on 6 May, 3 at Wadi Dhabab on 8 May and 1 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May.

Eurasian Hoopoe, Upupa epops
1 at Hammam Jarif on 7 May, 2 at Jabal Saber on 7 May, 2 at Dhi as Safal on 8 May, 1 at Kawkaban on 9 May, 1 at Al-Ahjur on9 May and 1 at Al-Riyadi Cliffs on 9 May.

African Grey Hornbill, Tockus nasutus nasutus
1 on 8 May at Wadi Dhabab.

Arabian Woodpecker, Dendrocopos dorae
1 at Dhi as Safal on 8 May and 5 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May. Endemic to South-west Arabia.

Red-backed Shrike, Lanius collurio
1 at Dhi as Safal on 8 May and 4 at Al-Rayadi Cliffs on 9 May.

Southern Grey Shrike, Lanius meridionalis buryi
2 at Hamman Jarif on 7 May.

Lesser Grey Shrike, Lanius minor minor
1 at Kawkaban on 9 May.

Brown-necked Raven, Corvus ruficollis
The maximum was 35 at a dumping site en route to Wadi Dhabab on 8 May.

Fan-tailed Raven, Corvus rhipidurus
The maximum was 25 at Wadi Sare’e on 10 May.

African Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis harterti
3 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May. Endemic ssp. to South-west Arabia.

Blanford’s Short-toed Lark, Calandrella blanfordi eremica
7 at Kawkaban on 9 May. Endemic ssp. to South-west Arabia.

Crested Lark, Galerida cristata brachyura
The maximum was 7 at Kawkaban on 9 May.

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica
1 at Dhi as Safal on 9 May.

Red-rumped Swallow, Cecropis daurica
5 at Kawkaban on 9 May.

White-spectacled Bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthopygos
5 at Hammam Jarif on 7 May and 1 at Jabal Saber on 7 May.

Scrub Warbler, Scotocerca inquieta grisea
1 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May.

Graceful Prinia, Prinia gracilis yemenensis
The maximum was 5 at Hammam Jarif on 7 May.

Marsh Warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
1 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May.

Great Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus arundinaceus
1 at Hammam Jarif on 7 May.

Brown Woodland Warbler, Phylloscopus umbrovirens yemenensis
3 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May.

Common Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
1 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May.

Yemen Warbler, Sylvia buryi
1 at Al-Rayadi Cliffs on 9 May.

Gambaga Flycatcher, Muscicapa gambagae
2 at Wadi Dhabab on 8 May, 3 at Dhi as Safal on 8 May and 2 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May.

Black Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas podobe melanoptera
4 on 6 May and 2 on 7 May at Hammam Jarif.

Common Redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus samamiscus
1 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May.

Mourning Wheatear, Oenanthe lugens lugentoides
6 at Hammam Jarif on 6 May, 1 at Dhi as Safal on 8 May, 2 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May, 2 at Al-riyadi Cliffs on 9 May and 3 at WadiSare’e on 10 May.

Red-breasted Wheatear, Oenanthe bottae bottae
1 at Dhi as Safal on 8 May and 7 at Kawkaban on 9 May.

African Stonechat, Saxicola torquatus felix
2 at Jabal Saber on 7 May.

Blackstart, Cercomela melanura neumanni
4 on 6 May, 1 on 7 May at Hammam Jarif and 2 at Dhi as Safal on 8 May.

Little Rock Thrush, Monticola rufocinereus sclateri
1 at Dhi as Safal on 8 May, 3 At Al-Ahjur on 9 May and 1 at Al-Rayadi Cliffs on9 May.

Yemen Thrush, Turdus menachensis
3 at Jabal Saber on 7 May, 2 at Al-Rayadi Cliffs on 9 May and 1 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May. Endemic to Yemen.

Arabian Babbler, Turdoides squamiceps yemenensis
1 at Hammam Jarif on 6 May.

Abyssinian White-eye, Zosterops abyssinicus arabs
5 at Jabal Saber on 7 May, 4 at Wadi Dhabab on 8 May, 3 at Al-Rayadi Cliffs on 9 May and 1 at Wadi Sare’e on 10 May.Endemic ssp.to Yemen.

Palestine Sunbird, Cinnyris osea osea
1 at Hamman Jarif on 7 May, 2 at Kawkaban on 9 May, 4 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May and 2 at Wadi Al-Ahjur on 10 May.

Shining Sunbird, Cinnyris habessinicus hellmayri
1 at Hamman Jarif on 6 and 7 May.

Violet-Backed Starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster arabicus
They are common with a maximum of 6 at Hammam Jarif on 7 May and at Al-Rayadi Cliffs on 9 May.

Tristram’s Starling, Onychognathus tristramii
1 at Hammam Jarif on 6 May, 6 at Dhi as Safal on 8 My, 4 at Al-Ahjur on 9 May and 4 at Wadi Sare’e on 10 May.

Arabian Accentor, Prunella fagani
4 at Jabal Saber on 7 May. Endemic to Yemen.

Long-billed Pipit, Anthus similis arabicus
1 at Wadi Dhabab on 8 May and 1 at Dhi as Safal on 8 May.

Cinnamon-breasted Bunting , Emberiza tahapisi Arabica
It was nearly seen everyday with a maximum of 6 at Hammam Jarif on 6 May.

Socotra Golden-winged Grosbeak, Rhynchostruthus socotranus percivali
1 at Hammam Jarif on 7 May and 1 at Al-Ahjur on 10 May.

Yemen Linnet, Carduelis yemenensis
5 at Jabal Saber on 7 May, 2 at Kawkaban on 9 May and 3 at Al-Ahjur on 10 May.

Arabian Serin, Serinus rothschildi
1 at Wadi Dhabab on 8 May.

Yemen Serin, Serinus menachensis
1 at Dhi as Safal on 8 May and 6 at Kawkaban on 9 May.

Ruppell’s Weaver, Ploceus galbula
Were seen everywhere with a maximum of 7 at Hammam Jarif on 7 May.

Arabian Waxbill, Estrilda rufibarba
15 on 6 May and 6 on 7 May all at Hammam Jarif.

Orange-breasted Waxbill, Sporaeginthus subflavus subflavus
1 at Wadi Dhabab on 8 May.

African Silverbill, Euodice cantans orientalis
5 at Hammam Jarif on 7 May.

 

We highly recommend our tour operator Yousuf Mohageb who was very nice and genorous during our trip.
Yousuf Mohageb, Director of Arabian Eco-tours.
P. O. Box 5420
Sana’a, Republic of Yemen
Email: aet@y.net.ye
Tel: + 967 1 82 49 36
Tel / Fax ++967 1 326 134

The photographs

 Philby’s Partridge, Alectoris philbyi

The following photograph is by Pekka Fågel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Arabian Partridge, Alectoris melanocephala

 

 

 

 Black Kite, Milvus migrans aegyptius

 

 

 Tawny Eagle, Aquila rapax belisarius

 

 

 

Common Pigeon, Columba livia palaestinae

 

 

 

 Dusky Turtle Dove, Streptopelia lugens

 

The following photograph is by Pekka Fågel

 

 

 Red-eyed Dove, Streptopelia semitorquata

 

The following photograph is by Pekka Fågel.

 

 

 Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Treron waalia

 

 

 

 Jacobin Cuckoo, Clamator jacobinus

 

 

 

 Dideric Cuckoo, Chrysococcyx caprius

 

 

 

 Grey-headed Kingfisher, Halcyon leucocephala semicaerulea

 

 

 

 White-throated Bee-eater, Merops albicollis

 

 

 

 

 Green Bee-eater, Merops orientalis cyanophrys

 

 

 

 African Grey Hornbill, Tockus nasutus nasutus

 

 

 

 Arabian Woodpecker, Dendrocopos dorae

 Male.

 Female.

The following photograph is by Pekka Fågel.

 

 Southern Grey Shrike, Lanius meridionalis buryi

 

 

 

 Fan-tailed Raven, Corvus rhipidurus

 

   African Paradise Flycatcher, Terpsiphone viridis harterti

 

Blanford’s Short-toed Lark, Calandrella blanfordi eremica

 

The following photograph is by Pekka Fågel.

 

 White-spectacled Bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthopygos

 

 

 Graceful Prinia, Prinia gracilis yemenensis

 

 

 Gambaga Flycatcher, Muscicapa gambagae

The following photograph is by Pekka Fågel.

 

 

 Black Scrub Robin, Cercotrichas podobe melanoptera

 

 

 Mourning Wheatear, Oenanthe lugens lugentoides

 

Red-breasted Wheatear, Oenanthe bottae bottae

 

 

 African Stonechat, Saxicola torquatus felix

 

 

 Blackstart, Cercomela melanura neumanni

 

 

 Little Rock Thrush, Monticola rufocinereus sclateri

 

 

 Yemen Thrush, Turdus menachensis

 

 

 Arabian Babbler, Turdoides squamiceps yemenensis

 

 

 Palestine Sunbird, Cinnyris osea osea

 

 

 Shining Sunbird, Cinnyris habessinicus hellmayri

 

Violet-Backed Starling, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster arabicus

 

  Arabian Accentor, Prunella fagani

 

The following photograph is by Pekka Fågel.

 

 Cinnamon-breasted Bunting , Emberiza tahapisi Arabica

 

 

 Socotra Golden-winged Grosbeak, Rhynchostruthus socotranus percivali

 

The following photograph of a juvenile is by Pekka Fågel.

 

 Yemen Linnet, Carduelis yemenensis

 

 

 Arabian Serin, Serinus rothschildi

 

 

 Yemen Serin, Serinus menachensis

 

The following photograph is by Pekka Fågel.

Ruppell’s Weaver, Ploceus galbula Male.

Female.

 

 Arabian Waxbill, Estrilda rufibarba

 

 

 African Silverbill, Euodice cantans orientalis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Pivot Fields on 21/06/2009:

Spotted Redshank 1, White-tailed Plover 4, Common Ringed Plover 2, Green Sandpiper 1, Black-winged Stilt 6, Cream-coloured Courser 10.

At JEO on 21/06/2009:

Sand Martin 4, European Reed Warbler 7 (including an adult feeding juv.), Common Moorhen1.

At Al-Abraq on 19/06/2009 by Richard Saval:

Willow Warbler 1, Red-backed Shrike 1, Sand Martin 2, Barn Swallow 1.

At Jahra Farms on 20/06/2009 by Richard Saval:

Indian Roller 1, Red-backed Shrike 1, Masked Shrike 1.

At Jahra Sulaibikhat Bay on 20/06/2009 by Richard Saval:

Cream-coloured Courser 20, Curlew Sandpiper 4, Dunlin 8, Bar-tailed Godwit 1.

Spotted Redshank

 As noted earlier (20.04.2009), two successive dry seasons seem to have led to the disappearance of Dunn’s Lark from Kebd, although a few pairs may still persist in the far north of the area. Black-crowned Sparrow-lark breeding pairs are also substantially down compared to previous years, but with about 10 - 20 pairs, not as much as previously thought. The observation of a pair of Cream-coloured Coursers on open ground in the old area of Kebd on 28.05.2009 suggests that the species may be breeding there. The small pool attracted many migrants again this year. Bird numbers and species on the spring migration in the gardens at KISR Shuwaikh were less impressive than in the previous year, but many Great reed Warblers remained on the lawns up until the end of May.

Marsh Warbler at Kabd

 

European Reed Warbler at Kabd

Sedge Warbler at Kebd

Upcher’s Warbler at Kebd

Short-toed Lark at Kebd

Common Quail at Kebd

Great Reed Warbler on the lawn at KISR-Shuwaikh

 

Wood Sandpiper on the lawn at KISR-Shuwaikh 

The Basra Reed Warbler is still at JEO, hopefully it will breed if there are no further disturbances from bird shooters and grazers, who have been reduced due to collaboration with concerned parties.

Basra Reed Warbler 1, Great Reed Warbler 2, European Reed Warbler 10, Willow Warbler 10, Ltttle Bittern, Sedge Warbler 4. All these birds are potential breeders for this year except for the Willow Warbler.

Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis

European Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus

I visited Al Abraq with Simon this morning. Many migrants were still around but not anymore in big numbers.

Common Buzzard 2, Cattle Egret 2, Squacco Heron 3, Corncrake 1, European Nightjar 1, White-throated Robin 3, Tree Pipit 1, Yellow Wagtail 2, Golden Oriole 4, Spotted Flycatcher 10, Great Reed Warbler 5, Basra Reed Warbler 1, Reed Warbler 6, Barred Warbler 4, Garden Warbler 4, Whithethroat 1, Willow Warbler 10, Redstart 7, Red-backed Shrike 3, Lesser Grey Shrike 1.

European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaenus)

On 10/05/2009 Rashed Al-Hajji found and photographed a Red-footed Falcon, a first summer male at Sulaibiya Pivot Fields. This is a second record for Kuwait and a first live bird. The first record was found dead by G. Gregory and H Merlet on 9/05/2002 at Hujaijah.

Red-footed Falcon, Falco vespertinus photographed by Rashed on 10/05/2009

Today 11/05/2009 Pekka Fågel has also photographed the bird, his photographs are shown below.

Yesterday Rashed had found a Great Snipe at Jahra Farms, so today Pekka and I went to Jahra Farms and found the Great Snipe which is a rare bird that had not been seen for a number of years.

Great Snipe 1, Bank Myna 9, Indian Roller 1, Basra Reed Warbler 1, Common Redstart 6, Red-backed Shrike 7,  Red-throated Pipit 5, Tree Pipit 2, Squacco Heron 2, White-throated Kingfisher 1, Rose-necked Parakeet 1, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush 2, Common Chiffchaff 4.

Great Snipe, Gallinago media by R. Al-Hajji

Great Snipe, Gallinago media by A. Al-Sirhan

Season is not over yet but last visitors have left  Kuwait. Last group including Chris Bell, Douglas Barr and Richard Stevenson were mainly after Socotra Cormorant, Basra Reed Warbler and Syke’s Warbler. They managed to see all target species though in the beginning Basra Reed Warbler seemed to be difficult. On third day(2. May) we managed to see one at JEO. Right after this we had two at Tulha,SAANR. Next morning, which was the last day, we had at least 6 birds in Al Abraq. Obviously after a good migration night Al Abraq was flooded with birds. Amazing numbers of Acrocephalus Warblers and Shrikes were around. Above all three Syke’s Warblers were observed with satisfaction. One bonus species for Richard was Indian Roller on 2. May at Jahra Farms. However, Grey Hypocolius and Swift Tern were missing during the trip. Crab Plovers were seen only on Bubiyan Island from Subiya (relatively far away). Common Babbler was heard but not seen at Sulaibikhat N.R.

Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis) at Tulha, SAANR on 2. May

Young Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) on Green Island on 3. May. We saw two young birds and one adult one.

Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) at Pivot Fields on 3. May (Not very typical habitat)

Having a chance to visit JEO  today during high tide provided me a nice views of Red Phalarope.  Other notable birds were c. 100 Red-necked Phalaropes 2 Cuckoos,  2 Glossy Ibises, 2 Lesser Grey Shrikes and  Greater Sandplover to mention just few.

Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)

A Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) the fourth record for Kuwait was found yesterday afternoon by Rashed Al-Hajji at JEO.

Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), the following photographs are by Rashed Al-Hajji

The following by A. Al-Sirhan

New birds for the season were Thrush Nightingale and Red-breasted Flycatcher. The latter one is actually really scarce in the spring (my first). In the autumn it is common. Other good birds were Upcher’s Warbler, Syke’s Warbler and 6 Chestnut-shouldered Sparrows.

Squacco Heron 6,  Black Kite 1, Hoopoe 2, Tree Pipit 3, Yellow Wagtail 1, Rufous-tailed Bush Robin 4, Thrush Nightingale 2, Redstart 10+, Whinchat 1, Isabelline Wheatear 1, Upcher’s Warbler 1, Olivaceous Warbler 10+, Syke’s Warbler 1, Barred Warbler 5, Black Cap 3, Whitethroat 4, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Willow Warbler 10+, Red-breasted Flycatcher 1, Spotted Flycatcher 6, Red-backed Shrike 10+, Lesser Grey Shrike 2, Masked Shrike 1, Isabelline Shrike 3, House Sparrow 50+, Spanish Sparrow 15, Chestnut-shouldered Sparrow 6, Ortolan Bunting 1.

Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)

Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria)

Chestnut-shouldered Sparrow (Petronia xanthocollis)

Just brief visit to Tulha in the morning produced some migrants though nothing new.

Little Egret 1, Wood Sandpiper 3, Little Stint 1, Curlew Sandpiper 5, Collared Dove 2, Turtle Dove 3, European Bee-eater 3, Woodchat Shrike 1, Masked Shrike 1, Redstart 5, Spotted Flycatcher 1, White-throated Robin 1, Rufous-tailed Bush Robin 2, Whitethroat 1, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Barred Warbler 2, Blackcap 2, Basra Reed Warbler 2, Great Reed Warbler 2, Sedge Warbler 1, Marsh Warbler 1, Olivaceous Warbler 1, Tree Pipit 2, Red-throated Pipit 1, Willow Warbler 2, Ortolan Bunting 20.

Basra Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus griseldis)

Male White-throated Robin (Irania gutturalis)

Updated 21.4.2009 by P. Fågel

Today we encountered a surprisingly big flock of Pratincoles. My best estimation was 700 birds mainly Black-winged Pratincoles about 600 rest being Collared Praticoles. We found also c. 5  Oriental Pratincoles. They were seen flying in the flock showing no sign of white trailing edge and relatively short tail. Abdulmohsen Alsuraye managed to get flight shots and I got photograph on the ground. We are still evaluating today’s record. Elsewhere in Pivot Fields I saw a big flock of Ortolan Buntings. I counted and finally estimated over 300 birds probably much more.

Just for the interest of coming visitors I had today in Mahboula an immature Socotra Cormorant which I saw through my home window. Good comparisson can be seen between the forefront bird (Common Cormorant) and the bird on right  (Immature Socotra Cormorant). Note  slimmer head and longer neck.

Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum) 2nd record for Kuwait if accepted by KORC. Note short tail which is not visible under the wings and oval shaped nostril. In the field I saw reddish auxiliaries too.

Oriental Prtincola by Abdulmohsen Alsuraye

Oriental Pratincola by Abdulmohsen Alsuraye

Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana)

Socotra Cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrocularis)

After a long absence, I’m back again with a brief report of a trip to Kebd. Unfortunately, the dry season seems to have led to the disappearance of Dunn’s Lark from the area, as I have seen none for several months now. Black-crowned Sparrow-lark numbers have also collapsed. Today, only two males were around, but this is better than the past weeks at least. The following species were also noted: Osprey 1, Pallid Harrier 1, Common Kestrel 4+, Eurasian Hoopoe 1, Woodchat Shrike 2, Isabelline Shrike 2, Masked Shrike 5, Red-backed Shrike 3, European Bee-eater 10+, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater 10+, Common Cuckoo 2, Tree Pipit 2, Tawny Pipit 2, Yellow Wagtail 1, Crested Lark 5+, Black-crowned Sparrow-lark 2, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler 3, Lesser Whitethroat 2, Upcher’s Warbler 4+, Barred Warbler 3+, Willow Warbler 3+, Blackcap 1, Northern Wheatear 3, Common Redstart 8+, Whinchat 10+, Bluethroat 1 (in our greenhouse), Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin 2, Ortolan Bunting 15+, Trumpeter Finch 1, Barn Swallow 5+, Turtle Dove 2.

Trumpeter Finch

   Black-crowned Sparrow-lark 

Ortolan Bunting

 Upcher’s Warbler

Whinchat