Which way to Tern? - Dammam - Al Khobar Wader Roost South

The tides have been good for the Dammam - Al Khobar Wader Roost South in the last few days so I went down again to see if I could see the Crab Plover again. The bird I saw a few days ago was not about when I got there but the tide was pushing birds in close to shore. The waders were mainly Greater Sand Plovers (300+) with a few (10) Lesser Sand Plovers mixed in, but there were also two Ruddy Turnstones and one Terek Sandpiper. Kentish Plovers were numerous with many birds with well grown young showing they had a good breeding season. The only large waders were 16 Eurasian Curlew and my first returning Bar-tailed Godwit of the year.

Greater Sand Plover

Kentish Plover

Terns were about in good numbers with 22 Caspian Terns, all adults and seven Gull-billed Terns including a family party of two adults and a begging juvenile. Saunder's Tern were also plentiful with 25+ birds including a well grown juvenile bird sitting on a sand bank. The only other birds of note were a single Sand Martin, one Grey Heron, five Western Reef Herons and a Western Osprey perched on a fence.

Saunder's Tern (juvenile)

Caspian Tern

Gull-billed Tern

Gull-billed Terns - family party

Western Osprey