Whilst birding the Haradh area in recent
weeks a good number of Lesser Kestrels have been seen. Lesser Kestrel is an uncommon
passage migrant to the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia that migrates in small
flocks. They are normally seen in areas where insects are common such as pivot
irrigation fields where good numbers can sometimes be seen in spring. Small
flocks are sometimes seen flying over at some height and not landing suggesting
many move through the area unseen. Numbers are significantly lower in the
autumn than the spring. Most birds occur in Saudi Arabia from the middle of February
to mid-April in spring, and between the end-September and mid-November in
autumn. Since 1987 birds have apparently started over-wintered on the farmlands
south of Riyadh. I have not been birding in Haradh in the winter but will go
back this winter and see if I can record any wintering birds in this area, as
it is similar habitat and quite close to Riyadh. The indiscriminate use of
pesticides is thought to have contributed to dramatic population declines in
this insectivorous raptor.
