Socotra Cormorant – Al Uqair

Whilst birding the Al Uqair area in March we found a number of Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis sitting next to the waters edge at very close range. The birds included both adults and juveniles. This is probably the best place in the local area to see the species at close range but only if you remain in the car. They breed on islands in the Arabian Gulf where they are common. Small numbers can be seen close to the mainland coast especially from April to August but from October to March it is generally outnumbered by great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. Huge gatherings sometimes occur from December to May with more than 25,000 birds on the sea or flying in formation. There are no inland records of this species in the Kingdom.

Socotra Cormorant & Kentish Plover – Al Uqayr

Whilst birding the Al Uqayr Customs House I found a single Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis sitting near the shoreline and manage to approach to quite a close range in the car. The bird appeared to be very waterlogged and thus stayed in place whilst we took a few photos. They breed on islands in the Arabian Gulf where they are common. Small numbers can be seen close to the mainland coast especially from April to August but from December to May hugh gatherings sometimes occur with more than 25,000 birds on the sea or flying in formation. There are no inland records of this species in the Kingdom. Apart from the Socotra Cormorant there was very little to see along the coast although a very nice plumaged Kentish Plover allowed close approach at one point.

 

Not much about – Uqayr

Whilst birding at Uqair looking for Prinias, there were very few birds about. I looked along the coast in the hope of seeing some returning waders but nothing of note was seen. The only waders that seem to be about in higher numbers are Black-winged Stilts. A single Socotra Cormorant was loafing on the beach partly hidden and flew off before I could get any closer. The scrubby desert was almost devoid of birds apart from three Great Grey Shirkes that must breed locally. No Prinias were seen this trip although we know they occur in this area. On the way back I found a new area of reeds that have stated growing outside the Tamara beach resort on Half Moon Bay. This is about halfway between Uqayr and Dhahran and is about 20 km south-west across the bay from Al Qqiq. I saw at least two pairs of Prinia here, but the birds were not calling, although on views in the field they looked like hufufae Graceful Prinia. 

Socotra Cormorant

Great Grey Shrike

Socotra Cormorant – Al Uqayr

Whilst birding the seafront next to Al Uqayr Customs House I found a few Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis sitting on the stones near the shoreline and manage to approach to quite close range but unfortunately the light was in the wrong direction making taking photos somewhat difficult. They are not so easy to photograph and I was relatively happy with my efforts. They breed on islands in the Arabian Gulf where they are common. Small numbers can be seen close to the mainland coast especially from April to August but from October to March it is generally outnumbered by great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. Huge gatherings sometimes occur from December to May with more than 25,000 birds on the sea or flying in formation. There are no inland records of this species in the Kingdom.

Socotra Cormorant – Dhahran Expro Wader Roost

Whilst birding the seafront next to the Dhahran Expro Wader Roost I found a Socotra Cormorant Phalacrocorax nigrogularis sitting in a small tree next to the water edge at very close range but unfortunately it flew after I had only taken a single photo. This is probably the best place in Dhahran to see the species but they are normally quite distant. They breed on islands in the Arabian Gulf where they are common. Small numbers can be seen close to the mainland coast especially from April to August but from October to March it is generally outnumbered by great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo. Huge gatherings sometimes occur from December to May with more than 25,000 birds on the sea or flying in formation. There are no inland records of this species in the Kingdom.

Large numbers of Socotra Cormorants - Al Khobar Corniche

An early morning visit to Al Khobar Corniche looking for Large White-headed Gulls failed to turn up many birds, just a few Steppe and Heuglin’s Gulls. There was an increase in the number of Slender-billed Gulls present along the sea front, which was a nice sight. The most impressive sight though was a continuous stream of thousands of Socotra Cormorants, totalling well over ten thousand birds. They were quite a distance offshore and my photographs turned out very badly as they were into the sun. A few Socotra Cormorants were fishing along the near shore but were again difficult to photograph because of the light. Another unusual sight for the cornice was a male Marsh Harrier hunting along a vegetated edge of the seashore. Less of a surprise was a number of House Crows seen feeding in a rubbish bin and along a grass verge.

Socotra Cormorant

Slender-billed Gull

House Crow

House Crow

Some birds from early 2009 - By Bob Roberts

Here are a few photographs I have just been sent by Bob Roberts of some birds he took in spring 2009 and which he kindly gave me permission to use. They were taken are the Dammam – Al Khobar Wader Roost and show two Black-tailed Godwits, taken on the 6^th March 2009, which are an uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor to the coast and inland pools. The next photograph shows an adult Black Tailed Godwit, male in breeding plumage, which appears to have a damaged wing, hence it has overstayed when most Godwits had already departed, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, 16^th April 2009. Little Stint is a very common passage migrant and winter visitor to the coast with thousands seen on occasions. In the spring and autumn many birds are seen in full breeding plumage such as the bird shown here. This photograph was taken on 16^th April 2009.

Black-tailed Godwit - adult summer plumage

Black-tailed Godwit

Little Stint

European Spoonbill was a rare bird to the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia twenty years ago but now it is scarce visitor which can be seen at any time of year although early autumn is the best time to see the species when most birds seen are juveniles. This photograph was taken at Dammam Port Mangroves on 9^th January 2009. Socotra Cormorant is a very common breeding resident to the area with thousands occasionally seen flying in large groups out at sea.


Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill

Grebes are not common in Saudi Arabia with the exception of Little Grebe. Bob took the photograph of the Black-necked Grebe at a lagoon that had been formed on the reclaimed land at the side of the Dammam – Al Khobar Wader Roost. Although it is a regular winter visitor to the Eastern Province I have so far failed to see any birds. The Great Crested Grebe photographs were taken at Dammam Seafront and again this is a bird that is uncommon and restricted in the number of sites where it occurs both birds were seen on 9^th January 2009.


Black-necked Grebe

 

Great Crested Grebe

Socotra Cormorant

Dammam / Al Khobar Wader Roost – Bird records by Jessar Inocencio

Last Thursday 12th of October, Jessar Inocencio and his birding friend Marvin Harder visited the Dammam/Al Khobar Wader Roost. They got there at around 7:00 am and to our surprise it was low tide. At a distance, we saw a huge flock of different birds totalling over a thousand birds. There were plenty of Kentish Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwits, Eurasian Curlews, three Grey Herons, three Eurasian Oystercatchers and a flock of Black-winged Stilts and Greater Flamingoes. Most of the Gretaer Famingoes flew off but four remained allowing a chance to get closer and photograph them. Other birds seen included one Ruddy Turnstone, a few Isabelline Wheatears, one first winter male Pied Wheatear, Lesser Crested and Caspian Terns and Dunlins. The last time they visited the site was in July at high tide when there were more species compared to last Thursday. Jesser has kindly allowed me to use some of his photos on my website which are shown below.


Greater Flamingo



Greater Flamingo



Bar-tailed Godwit



Black-winged Stilt



Caspian Terns



Dunlin



Socotra Cormorant