Pekka and AbdulRahman went to Al-Abraq today to reclocate the Hume’s Leaf Warbler (2nd record) after hearing the bird calls a number of time we finally managed to see the bird and Pekka managed to photograph it as well. Birds that were seen at Al-Abraq included:

Hume’s Leaf Warbler 1, Black Redstart 1, European Robin 1, Blackbird 1, Dark-throated Thrush 1, Song Thrush 5, Common Chiffchaff 1 (seen and heard calling), Mountain Chiffchaff 10, Cattle Egret 12.

Hume’s Leaf Warbler photographed by Pekka

At Jahra farms we  managed to photograph some White-cheeked Bubuls, the following photograph is by AbdulRahman

While chasing Hume’s Leaf  Warbler on New Year’s day Mike and myself independently saw a raptor approaching fields. We both photographed that bird from different positions. Later on we looked at our pictures just to see Honey Buzzard type of  hawk not noticing possibility of Crested Honey Buzzard. Only when Dirk Colin sent an e-mail to me pointing out 6 primaries I woke up. Now we are confident that the bird is indeed Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) known also as Oriental Honey Buzzard. It has been seen since 2001  almost annually in Kuwait. Most probably this species is overlooked still today as our case clearly shows.

Crested Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) photographed by Pekka Fågel

Crested Honey Buzzard photographed by Mike Pope