07 July 2014

Barn Swallows and Turtle Doves – Dhahran Hills

Things remain quiet on the camp at present but there has been an increase in the number of Barn Swallows from a single bird to 15. Most of the birds are juveniles but some adults were in the group and they were normally seen over the percolation pond. The pond also had a couple of European Turtle Doves sitting in the trees surrounding the pond, the first time I have seen the species in over a month and Namaqua Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves were around the edges. The pond itself had 124 Little Grebes present on it on 1 July, the highest count I have had for the species on the ‘patch’ as well as ten Eurasian Coot and plenty of Common Moorhens. Waders included a single Little Ringed Plover, five Kentish plovers, one Wood Sandpiper and four Black-winged Stilts.
Barn Swallow
Barn Swallow
European Turtle Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove