02 February 2016

Black-necked Grebes and more – Sabkhat Al Fasl

Whilst looking around the area near Sabkhat Al Fasl, I saw a number of good birds including four black-necked Grebes together. Black-necked Grebes are uncommon winter visitors to the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia but are always good birds to find and see as they are never common. Other winter specialties seen included, Western Marsh Harriers, Daurian Shrikes, Common Chiffchaffs, Slender-billed Gulls, Common Starlings and Great Cormorants. Other more unusual winter species included Purple Herons and a Citrine Wagtail. Some species are already showing signs of breeding with Indian (Clamorous) Reed Warblers singing loudly from almost all prominent reed stems and some Squacco Herons in almost full breeding plumage.
Black-necked Grebes
Black-necked Grebes
Daurian Shrike
Daurian Shrike
Western Marsh Harrier
Western Marsh Harrier
Great Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Water Pipit
Water Pipit
Slender-billed Gull
Slender-billed Gull
Indian Reed Warbler
Indian Reed Warbler