06 July 2017

Late Red-backed Shrikes - Jubail

I have been able to go to Jubail a few times recently, as it was the Eid holidays and on every visit in late June until 1 July I saw a number of Red-backed Shrikes including a stunning adult male on 1 July. This is late for the species as they nearly all pass through the Eastern Province in May with the peak in the early part of the second week. I saw a bird at the end of June last year at the same site so maybe they are getting later in their movements. These were the only migrants I saw apart from plenty of Barn Swallows and Sand Martins. Breeding was evident with lots of juvenile Kentish Plovers and plenty of young and adult White-cheeked Terns present of every visit.
Red-backed Shrike
Red-backed Shrike
Kentish Plover
Kentish Plover - juvenile
White-cheeked Tern
White-cheeked Tern
White-cheeked Tern
White-cheeked Tern