24 October 2021

Shrikes still passing – Jubail

I went to Jubail on 15 October, and we had a good morning birding. One of the first birds we saw was a European Honey Buzzard flying over but unfortunately it was before we had managed to set the cameras up as we had only just arrived. We also saw the first two Greater Spotted Eagles of the autumn along with a Western Osprey and tens of Marsh Harrier. We saw quite a few migrants including seven Daurian and three Turkestan Shrikes along with a single Great Grey Shrike. A small number of warblers were skulking in the reed beds and we managed to identify a female Blackcap, Willow Warbler and a Savi’s Warbler along with the commoner Clamorous Reed Warblers. The winters first White wagtails were seen along with a single Western Yellow Wagtail and a smart Citrine Wagtail. Waterbirds were plentiful with 50 plus Grey-headed Swamphen, 15 Eurasian Coot and a Great Crested Grebe being of interest. Large White-headed Gull numbers are building up with most birds seen Steppe Gulls. A few waders were scattered around with Marsh Sandpiper, Dunlin (including one quite grey looking bird), Common Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper and 20 Common Snipe being the best. On the way home we stopped at Khafrah Marsh but did not see much of interest as it was approaching midday and the best birds seen being two Spur-winged Lapwing and a Grey-headed Swamphen.

Daurian Shrike

Daurian Shrike

Citrine Wagtail

Common Snipe

Dunlin