02 October 2016

A new ringing species - Jubail

Whilst ringing in September at Jubail, we trapped and ringed a new species for me in Terek Sandpiper Tringa cinerea. We very rarely catch wading birds so this was a big surprise when it ended up in a mist net set along the side of a wet pool. Terek Sandpiper is a widespread and sometimes common migrant to all areas of the Kingdom although is uncommon inland. It is a passage migranat and winter visitor to both coasts with a few in summer. It is more common on the Red Sea coast than the Gulf coast but still remains common along the Eastern Province coastline. Spring passage is from March to early June, mainly from late April, when birds occasionally occur inland as well as on the coast. Some non-breeding immatures stay the summer through June and July and then in August it becomes abundant along the coast.
Terek Sandpiper

Terek Sandpiper

Terek Sandpiper