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)