Paul Wells was birding in Dhahran when he came across a Mauryan Grey
Shrike (formerly Steppe Grey Shrike). Mauryan Grey Shrike Lanius lahtora is an uncommon winter visitor to the Eastern
Province of Saudi Arabia in small numbers and a common passage migrant from
late February to early April with most birds seen in March and again in
September and October. After this month wintering individuals obscure passage birds
so it is difficult to define the actual period of passage migrants. They prefer
open habitat with sparse trees on which they perch looking for food. I thank
Paul for sending me the details and allowing me to use his photograph of the
bird on my website which is reproduced below.
