Birding the scrubby area – Dhahran Waste Water Lake

Whilst birding the scrubby area next to Dhahran Waste Water Lake in March it was very apparent that the number of Common Chiffchaffs were increasing. Birds were scattered around the area but mainly preferring the larger trees. The birds were completely silent with not a single call heard whilst I was in the area. One the other hand Graceful Prinia were calling continually from the tops of reeds or trees and are now getting ready to start breeding. A single Lesser Whitethroat was also seen. Interesting birds flying over included a Crested Honey Buzzard and a few House Crow.

Common Chiffchaff

Common Chiffchaff

Common Chiffchaff

Common Chiffchaff

Crested Honey Buzzard

Crested Honey Buzzard

Graceful Prinia

House Crow

Lesser Whitethroat

Lesser Whitethroat

Some birds from Deffi Park area in Jubail – Arnoly Uy

Arnold sent me some photos of birds taken in the Eastern Province last week. He visited Deffi Park in Jubail and managed to photograph a Common Chiffchaff. This species is an abundant migrant and common winter visitor to the Eastern Province but they are fast moving and difficult to get good photos of so Arnold did well with these photos. Arnold also saw a pair of Eurasian Stonechats at Abu Hadriyah and took a couple of photos of these as well. I thank Arnold for sending me the details and photos and for allowing me to use them on my website. Thanks to Yoav Perlman for pointing out the Stonechat was a Eurasian Stonechat due to streaked rump, short primary projection and all orange belly.

Male and female Common Chaffinch in Bahrain – Birds records by Jehad Alammadi

Jehad Alammadi found a female Chaffinch on 11 December 2015 in the Hamala area of Bahrain and was able photograph her on 16 December 2015. After another seventeen days he was also able to photograph a male in the same area of Hamala and on 9 January 2016 he photograph the male and female together. Common Chaffinch is a rare winter visitor to Bahrain and these two birds together are a very good record. I thank Jehad for sending me the details and for allowing me to use his photographs on my website which are reproduced below.