08 June 2022

Migration slowing – Jubail

Whilst birding in Jubail at the end of May it became obvious the number of migrants had significantly decreased. The most numerous species for the third week running were Red-backed Shrikes with 33 birds seen, equally split between males and females. The only other common migrants were Spotted Flycatcher, Barn Swallow and Bank Martin. The best birds of the visit were six Indian Silverbills, a species I had not seen in this area of Jubail before but one I have seen regularly at nearby Khafra Marshes. This species appears to be spreading in the Eastern Province where it was mainly seen in Dammam/Al Khobar/Dhahran but is now seen further afield in Qatif and Jubail.