Whilst birding the Waste Water Lake in the very early morning, I located the seven Ferruginous Ducks again, with three flying in and landing and four sitting on the dry bank of the lake. These birds have now been around for more than a month and may stay for the winter. The Ferruginous Duck is an uncommon passage migrant, winter visitor and a rare breeder with most birds occurring from September to April. The species is currently listed as Near Threatened and prefers shallower and more vegetated areas than other Aythya species and seldom sits out on open water. Sightings have been increasing in recent years, with breeding occurring in Jubail, but they remain uncommon. Birds have started to be seen each winter in small numbers in Dhahran, where they may be same returning wintering birds each year.
