20 July 2016

Returning Greater Sand Plovers – Jubail

Whilst birding the Jubail area in early June I came across four Greater Sand Plovers feeding on a small area of sabkhat. The birds appeared to be juveniles so are presumably returning from their breeding grounds to their wintering areas. Greater Sand Plover is a common species on passage but it is difficult to get close to them as they are normally out on the tide line or in the flooded sabkha. As a result of the location of these birds I managed to get quite close and take a few photos of two birds that are shown below. The only other waders seen were Kentish Plovers and Black-winged Stilts in very high numbers as well as a single Ruff. Close by the area where the waders were seen were also a few Egyptian Nightjars that gave good views both in flight and on the ground. Thousands of Greater Flamingos were also seen in a large flooded wetland are, where only six had been two weeks previously.
Greater Sand Plover
Greater Sand Plover
Greater Sand Plover
Greater Sand Plover
Greater Sand Plover
Greater Sand Plover
Kentish Plover
Kentish Plover
Little Tern
Little Tern
Egyptian Nightjar
Egyptian Nightjar
Egyptian Nightjar
Egyptian Nightjar
Egyptian Nightjar
Egyptian Nightjar