09 October 2020

Raptors in Deffi Park, Jubail – Bird records by Mark Jasmin

Mark Jasmin went to Deffi Park on 4 October 2020 to try to photograph Common Kingfisher, but unfortunately the stream that normally runs through the park has become dry and none were present. This is normally a good wintering area for the Kingfishers and they have been seen every winter here for many years. He then looked around the park and came across a nice variety of raptors including two Eurasian Sparrowhawk, three Crested Honey Buzzards including an adult male and adult female, a Eurasian Hobby, Common Kestrel and two Black Kites (looking like Black-eared Kites). This location has become a good one for Crested Honey Buzzards with birds seen in winter for the last five years. Other birds of note seen included a Eurasian Wryneck, two Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins, a Masked Shrike (another wintering species seen regularly at this location), two Grey Herons and several Spotted Flycatchers. I thank Mark for allowing me to use his photos shown below and for sending me the details of his sightings.

Crested Honey Buzzard

Eurasian Sparrowhawk

Black Kite


Eurasian Hobby