A small
group of 22 Common Shelduck were seen on the flooded sabkha area of Sabkhat Al
Fasl in January, the first birds recorded there this winter for me although Phil saw some a few weeks before. This species
occurs here every winter in small numbers although over 300 were seen one
winter. In the same area there were seven Greater Spotted Eagles with two birds
feeding on a dead bird or something similar. The water levels were very high
due to all the rain over the Christmas period and as a result wader numbers
were very low. The only waders seen in any numbers were Black-winged Stilts and
Common Ringed Plovers. Water Pipits and White Wagtails have been less common
than usual this winter but I came across a large mixed flock of them at one
point with more than 50 of each species. Other birds seen of interest included
Grey-headed Swamphens and at least three Pied Kingfishers including two females
and a male.
 |
| Greater Spotted Eagle |
 |
| Greater Spotted Eagles |
 |
| Black-winged Stilt |
 |
| Common Ringed Plover |
 |
| Water Pipit |
 |
| White Wagtail |
 |
| Pied Kingfisher - female |
 |
| Pied Kingfisher - male |
 |
| Grey-headed Swamphen |
 |
| Daurian Shrike |
 |
| Daurian Shrike |
