25 February 2015

Citrine Wagtail – Sabkhat Al Fasl

Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola was until the last few years a scarce winter visitor to the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, but more birds are now being seen making it an uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant. Birds are mainly seen from September until March with some adult birds amongst those seen in early spring. Whilst birding at Sabkhat Al Fasl last weekend we found a Citrine Wagtail in fine plumage. As with most Citrine Wagtails the bird was not easy to photograph as it was mainly in an area of cover next to the waters edge. It did show occasionally as it was being chased by a White Wagtail that at ne stage flushed the bird onto the top of the reeds allowing one photographed to be grabbed. Sabkhat Al Fasl is a good place to look for this species in winter and I have seen two different birds in the last two weekends there. They are quite secretive and appear to like shrubs near to the water, such as small Tamarisk bushes.
Citrine Wagtail

Citrine Wagtail

Citrine Wagtail

Citrine Wagtail