Ferruginous Ducks – Dhahran Waste Water Lake

Whilst birding the Waste Water Lake in the very early morning I saw seven Ferruginous Ducks on the water and another three birds flying over before landing with the others. Luckily, they birds in flight flew around a couple of times allowing for a few photos to be taken. Hopefully they will stay for a while as this is a safe place for them as no hunting is allowed. The Ferruginous Duck is an uncommon passage migrant, winter visitor and a rare breeder with most birds occurring from September to April. The species is currently listed as Near Threatened and prefers shallower and more vegetated areas than other Aythya species and seldom sits out on open water. Sightings have been increasing in recent years, with breeding occurring in Jubail, but they remain uncommon. 

Late September at Dhahran Cricket Field

Whilst birding the Dhahran Hills Cricket field at the end of September I saw a few interesting birds. Western Cattle Egrets are back in good numbers and Eurasian Hoopoe numbers have increased significantly with migrant birds joining the local breeding birds. Another species that has been seen in higher-than-normal numbers is Black-winged Stilt with tens of birds on almost all grassy areas in the compound. Resident species seen included Common Myna, Eurasian Collared Dove and Crested Lark. Migrants noted have included Woodchat Shrike, Lesser Grey Shrike, Spotted Flycatcher and Northern Wheatear.

Black-winged Stilt 

Black-winged Stilt 

Black-winged Stilt 

Common Myna

Crested Lark

Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Hoopoe

Eurasian Hoopoe

Spotted Flycatcher

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

Woodchat Shrike

Pallid Swift – Dhahran Waste Water Lake

An early morning trip to Dhahran Waste Water Lake in late September produced a reasonable number of Pallid Swift, dropping down occasionally to drink from the lake. These birds are returning ones for the winter and have arrived earlier than normal. The species is a common passage migrant and breeder with a peculiar pattern of occurrence. They are common from late January to May, uncommon after this and only recorded again in good numbers from November. Breeding takes place in the winter months from November to April. As the light was good I managed to take a few decent photos some of which are shown below.

Ruff – Dhahran Football Fields

I visited the fields in Aramco Dhahran compound in late September and located at least three Ruff Philomachus pugnax feeding on the grass. These birds were very confiding as I could get the car close to the edge on the fields. The Ruff is a common migrant and uncommon winter visitor with high counts for the Eastern Province being several hundred. In the Eastern Province they are often common on pools inland and recorded in all months but mostly in September to March. The grassy fields available in Aramco are very valuable habitats for this species with birds seen every year in the spring and autumn.

Common Snipe – Dhahran Football Fields

Whilst birding the Dhahran Football Fields recently I found a Common Snipe on the grass looking for food in the soft ground. I saw the bird in the very early morning on the way to work and it was still present in the same area in the evening on the way back home. The Common Snipe is partially migratory with migratory populations breeding across northern Eurasia and wintering up to 6,000 km south in southern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and from Arabia to Japan and Malaysia. In Saudi Arabia it is a common passage migrant and common winter visitor seen mainly on migration from February to April and August to October. They prefer freshwater wetlands with muddy or waterlogged ground abut are sometimes seen on ornamental pools and in city parks. This is the second time I two years I have seen Common Snipe on the football fields, whereas previously I had never seen one here.

Yellow Wagtails and more – Dhahran Cricket Field

I have been visiting the cricket field each morning before work and seeing a few interesting birds. The two Whimbrel have been joined by a third bird and two Ruff were also around for a day. Fifty Kentish Plover early one morning was ahigh count for the site. Yellow Wagtail numbers have been high with 75-100 birds present but they are normally only present first thing in the morning and again in the evening when the temperatures are cooler. Resident Common Myna are around in very large numbers as are Eurasian Hoopoe that will include migrants with the resident birds at this time of year. A couple of Grey Heron flew over one day and Gull-billed Terns have been seen flying around on a few occasions.

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail

Whimbrel

Whimbrel

Whimbrel

Eurasian Hoopoe

Eurasian Hoopoe

Common Myna