14 September 2019

Juvenile Caspian Plovers – Al Asfar Lake

Phil and I went to Al Asfar Lake on 30 August and as we were looking at the waders along the edge of the lake shore we found two juvenile Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus. They were very obvious because of the very rufous tones to the plumage and quite large size superficially resembling bright Greater Sand Plovers. Caspian Plover is a scarce passage migrant in the Eastern Province in small numbers during March and April and again from late July until early September. The peak passage of adults is during March and again from August when juveniles are also frequently seen. A flock of 500 was seen in late March 1982 on the northern steppes with other good numbers from the same area including 45 on the Dibdibah 14 April 1983, 30 there 4 November 1983 and 100 in the same area 28 March 1985. Most sightings occur away from the coast but they are often near inland waters. I have only seen them twice before this sighting with two juveniles at Sabkhat Al Fasl 28 August 2015 and three adults in ploughed fields at Haradh 5 February 2016
Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus

Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus

Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus

Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus

Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus

Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus

Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus

Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus

Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus

Caspian Plovers Charadrius asiaticus