10 November 2023

Pallid Swifts – Dhahran Waste Water Lake

Whilst birdwatching at the Dhahran Waste Water Lake at the end of October the number of Pallid Swift have started to increase markedly, which is slightly earlier than most years where they appear in good numbers in November. Birds are mainly flying high up but some are occasionally coming down to drink out of the lake allowing some reasonable photos to be taken. The species is a common passage migrant and breeder with a peculiar pattern of occurrence. The species is common from late January to May, scarce after this and only recorded again in good numbers from November. Breeding takes place in the winter months from November to April.