Last weekend’s birding trip to Sabkhat Al Fasl
produced quite a few winter visitors as well as resident species. One of the
most unusual was a juvenile Long-legged Buzzard. This species is rarely seen at
the location although presumably the same bird has been around for a few
months. It is never easy to photograph and I managed to grab a single flight
shot as it flew over the car. Other winter species seen included Red-spotted
Bluethroat that have been common at the site this year as well as Common
Kingfisher. Most Common Kingfishers have been females but a couple of males
have been seen recently possibly showing the males and females winter in
different areas and males are now starting to pass back through on migration?
Western Osprey is a resident and is also not regularly seen at the site
although sightings are much commoner than Long-legged Buzzard. A single Western
Osprey was seen over the wetlands near the power station and three Greater
Spotted Eagles were also seen. Although Purple Swamphen is resident and common
at this site it is the only place where seeing the species is guaranteed and
double figures were encountered on this trip. A good number of Common Starlings
were also seen in the reeds, a species that winters at the location but is
often not seen as they spend much of their time feeding inside the reed beds
and out of view. Various Eastern Stonechats were also located during the
mornings birding as were plenty of herons including Western Great Egret,
Western Cattle Egret, Indian Reef Heron, Little Egret and Grey Heron. A couple
of other good wintering birds included a Mauryan Grey Shrike and four Song
Thrushes.
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| Long-legged Buzzard |
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| Red-spotted Bluethroat |
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| Western Osprey |
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| Purple Swamphen |
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| Squacco Heron |
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| Mauryan (Steppe) Grey Shrike |
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| Song Thrush |
