Ehrenberg's Redstart - Jubail

A really smart Common Redstart of the sub-species samamisicus which is often known as 'Ehrenberg's Redstart' was seen in Jubail recently. This sub-species breeds in the southern Balkans and Greece east to Turkmenistan, south Uzbekistan and Iran and winter in north-east Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. They are slightly greyer and darker above, with a large white wing patch, which can be variable in size. The light was poor so I did not get a good photograph but you can see how really smart and different this sub-species looks to the normal Common Redstart.

Some new arrivals at Sabkhat Al Fasl - Bird records by Andre Marais

Andre Marais was birding at Sabkhat Al Fasl again during the week and has sent me the following photographs and details of his trips. On the 12th March Andre saw both male and female Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush as well as the much less common Blue Rock Thrush. I have not recorded either species in Dhahran, 125 kilometres south, so far this spring although Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush is a regular visitor. I personally have not seen Blue Rock-Thrush in Dhahran so am waiting patiently for the first record for me to arrive.

 Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush (male)

 Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush (female)

Blue Rock-Thrush

Andre also saw a samamisicus Common Redstart in the desert area at the back of the main wetland area which is always a good bird to see. I have seen quite a few of these in my area over the last few days (see previous post). Another bird Andre saw that I have yet to record this spring in Dhahran is Collared Pratincole of which Andre saw two birds on the 13th March. This is a regular spring migrant in the eastern province, but is much scarcer in the autumn. I thank Andre again for his records and his kind permission for me to use his excellent photographs.

 Common Redstart (samamisicus) - male

Collared Pratincole

Samamisicus Common Redstart - Dhahran Hills

I got down to the percolation pond and spray fields late yesterday as I was busy at work. On arriving at the pond there were few birds present although the Great Crested Grebe and Grey Heron were still present. A male Little Crake was feeding along one edge of the pond and a Spotted Crake was feeding in one of the wet corners, just outside the perimeter fence. This area also held 16 Common Chiffchaffs, one Bluethroat and a really smart Common Redstart of the sub-species samamisicus whihc is often known as 'Ehrenberg's Redstart'. This sub-species breeds in the southern Balkans and Greece east to Turkmenistan, south Uzbekistan and Iran and winter in north-east Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. They are slightly greyer and darker above, with a large white wing patch, which can be variable in size. The light was poor so I did not get a good photograph but you can see how really smart and different this sub-species looks to the normal Common Redstart. There have been about four different adult male samamisicus Common Redstarts about this week with the first bird seen on the 10th March. Below are two different birds seen on two separate days, unfortunately both were seen laste in the evening so the phtos are not so great.

Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus samamisicus) - Adult male

Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus samamisicus) - Adult male

A walk around the spray fields produced three Woodchat Shrikes, one Turkestan Shrike, three Isabelline Wheatear, one female Northern Wheatear, one common Kestrel, one Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin and a female Siberian Stonechat. As evening drew in a large gathering of Swifts were seen over the pond including at least 70 Pallid Swift and 30+ Common Swift.