Adult Black-winged Kite - Qaryat Al Ulya

Whilst birding Qaryat Al Ulya in late November Phil and I came across a Black-winged Kite perched on the overhead wires. This is the first time we have seen this species at this locality and shows the continuing spread of this once rare bird. The first record of Black-winged Kite for the Eastern Province was only found on 17 April 2012, but since then has become more common with a current status as an uncommon breeding resident. This bird like all others seen in the Eastern Province is Elanus caeruleus vociferous, the subspecies that occurs from Pakistan east to southern & eastern China, Indochina and the Malay Peninsula. Whilst in this area of large pivot fields we also saw a few Corn Bunting a species not seen often in the areas we birdwatch, as well as a single Steppe Eagle flying over just south of this location. The best bird seen was a very close Shikra perched on a wire fence but unfortunately it flew before any photos were taken. This species is becoming commoner in the Eastern Province like is the case in the UAE.

Black-winged Kite

Black-winged Kite

Black-winged Kite

Black-winged Kite

Corn Bunting

Black-winged Kite – Dhahran Waste Water Lake

Whilst birding Dhahran Waste Water Lake in November I came across a Black-winged Kite in the very early morning sitting on the overhead power lines. The first record of Black-winged Kite for the Eastern Province was only found on 17 April 2012, but since then has become more common with birds seen in almost every month and every year since the first record and it is now regarded as a scarce visitor to the province. All birds sub-specifically identified in the east of the Kingdom are the eastern subspecies Elanus caeruleus vociferous a subspecies that occurs from Pakistan east to southern & eastern China, Indochina and the Malay Peninsula.

Black-winged Kites again – Khafrah Marsh

Whilst birding Khafra Marsh recently we saw a few interesting birds, but photography was poor due to the weather and strong winds. The best bird was a ‘fulvescens’ Greater Spotted Eagle, but we also saw the normal pair or Black-winged Kites in the favoured area. These birds are now breeding residents at this location and amazing change in status considering they were a vagrant less than ten years ago. Grey-headed Swamphen is now seen at this location on every visit and possible more will arrive soon due to the decline in status of the nearby Sabkhat Al Fasl wetland. We found one amazing set of small fields being used as a market garden growing area that had well over 300 Kentish Plover, 100 Black-winged Stilts, 25 White Wagtail and two Squacco Herons.

Black-winged Kite

Squacco Heron

Daurian Shrike

Juvenile Black-winged Kite - Khafra Marsh

Whilst birding Khafra Marsh in July we came across a juvenile Black-winged Kite, shortly after seeing an adult bird. Later we saw another adult in a slightly different location. This suggests the birds are breeding at the location again, the fourth year at least they have bred here. The first record for the Eastern Province was only found on 17 April 2012, but since then has become more common with birds seen in almost every month and every year. Rather than being a vagrant to the Eastern Province its status has changed to a scarce visitor. All birds sub-specifically identified in the east of the Kingdom are the eastern subspecies Elanus caeruleus vociferous a subspecies that occurs from Pakistan east to southern & eastern China, Indochina and the Malay Peninsula.

Birding Sunbah Farms - Jizan

Whilst in the southwest of the Kingdom recently we visited Sunbah Farms, a large set of pivot irrigation fields that hold a lot of very good birds. We did nkt enter any of the fields as crops were growing but still saw a lot of good birds in the pivor irrigation tracks and surroundings. A pair of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse were seen near a small amount of water where one seemed to be wettings its breast feathers. Small numbers were also seen flying over at different places. Western Cattle Egret were very common with one very large flock of several hundred birds following behind a tractor cutting the crops where they could easily catch the disturbed insects. A few White-winged Tern were catching insects next to the pivot spray bars and Singing Bush Lark were common around the field edges and in song flight. A pair of Arabian Green Bee-eater were sitting nicely to photograph next to one field and two Black-winged Kite, were seen one of which was a juvenile. Several Barn Swallow were seen catching insects over the fields suggesting they are breeding in the area and Ruppell’s Weaver were common with a few nests found.

Arabian Bee-eater

Barn Swallow

Black-winged Kite - juvenile

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Ruppell's Weaver

Singing Bush Lark

Singing Bush Lark

Western Cattle Egret

Western Cattle Egret

White-winged Tern

White-winged Tern

Four Black-winged Kite - Khafra Marsh

Whilst birding Khafra Marsh in October we located a single adult Black-winged Kite, and then a little later in a different area we found three Black-winged Kites together on a power line.  The first record for the Eastern Province was only found on 17 April 2012, but since then has become more common with birds seen in every month and every year and it is now regarded as an uncommon visitor. Birds have bred at Khafra Marsh and these three birds are probably a family party. All birds sub-specifically identified in the east of the Kingdom are the eastern subspecies Elanus caeruleus vociferous a subspecies that occurs from Pakistan east to southern & eastern China, Indochina and the Malay Peninsula. 

Waders – Khafra Marsh

I visit Khafra Marsh recently and saw a few waders on a small pool. They were a Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover and Little Stint. Nearby the breeding Red-wattled Plovers were still around as were the breeding Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, both rare breeders in Saudi Arabia. Activity was very slow as I arrived at 08:30 and the light was already not good for photography. A few Nanaqua Dove were seen in various places and Graceful Prinia were about but very little else.

Black-winged Stilt

Kentish Plover

Kentish Plover

Little Stint

Namaqua Dove

Namaqua Dove