Dark Grass Blue - Haradh

Whilst birding a number of large pivot irrigation fields in the Haradh area I cam across a small colony of Dark Grass Blue Zizeeria karsandra also known as Asian Grass Blue. It is a small butterfly found in the Arabian Peninsula in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Oman as well as the Southern Mediterranean, in a broad band to India, Sri Lanka, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and northern and eastern Australia. They are abundant throughout the northern part of Saudi Arabia excepting the boarder are with Jordon. They are weak flyers keeping low and are not strong migrants. Colour and size varies probably depending on food source availability.

Largest every flock of Spur-winged Lapwing in Saudi Arabia - Haradh

Whilst birding the large Pivot Irrigation fields of Haradh on 14 October Phil Roberts and I came across large numbers of Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus. This was a surprise as the species is seldom recorded in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The largest recorded flocks in Kingdom have been 61 at Todhia farm, 27 February 2009 and 15 birds at NADEC Dairy Farm in Haradh 7 Februry 2013. We counted many flocks of over 10 in various areas and had 106 together so we estimated a minimum of 150 birds and probably many more. The species is an uncommon resident in the southwest of the Kingdom but until nw has been a vagrant to the Eastern Province but the large numbers seen in recent years makes it an uncommon passage migrant and scarce winter visitor to the region.

Migratory Locust - Haradh

Whilst at Haradh I saw plenty of Migratory Locust Locusta migratoria in the pivot irrigation fields. Normally they occur in small numbers throughout Arabia, but rarely form into swarms. There are two colour forms, brown and green with the green colour forms mainly solitary adult females. Under favourable breeding conditions they can form into vast groups, with young ‘hoppers’ often all marching in the same direction. They are very strong fliers and migratory specimens have been recorded as far away as Great Britain. Most of the locusts were in the fields but the one I photographed was on the sand at the edge of a pivot field.

A few migrants - Jubail

Whilst birding Jubail last weekend I came across a few migrants but things were fairly quiet. The best birds were a few Daurian and Turkestan Shrikes and two Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, although several waders were also seen like Green Sandpiper and Little Stint. Several Pied Avocets were seen and a couple of Marsh Sandpipers. Good numbers of herons in particular Grey Heron and Little Egret were about but also a few Squacco Herons. As always plenty of Grey-headed Swamphens were see but otherwise if was generally fairly quiet.

Isabelline Shrike 

Green Sandpiper

Little Stint

Little Egret

Grey-headed Swamphen

Winter plumaged Red-necked Phalaropes - Jubail

Phil Roberts and I found two winter plumaged Red-necked Phalaropes on some flooded Sabkha in Jubail on 7 October. These two birds were behaving in typical Phalarope manner by spinning around at the same spot feeding. They kept far out on the water making taking photographs very difficult. One bird kept close to a feeding Pied Avocet and the other on its own. Red-necked Phalarope is an uncommon bird in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, with Sabkhat Al Fasl is the best place in the Province to see them. Bundy’s ‘Birds of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia’ published in October 1989 states that they are regular in varying numbers on marshy pools in spring but very scarce and irregular in autumn. Records are regular in Kuwait to the north but from the Eastern Province are limited with one record from March, scare in April and regular in May with the peak inland count being 150 birds at Abqaiq in May 1976. As shown they were regular in years gone by but have become increasingly scarce, although in the last four years birds have been seen each year. Recent sightings have been in February, May, June, August, September and October.

Young Hollow Grasshopper – Record by Vinu Mathew

Vinu Mathew took some excellent photos of Hollow Grasshopper Pygomorpha conica in Dhahran recently as already posted. The Hollow Grashopper is found where grass grows in wadis, farms and gardens and is widespread and generally numerous. The grasshoppers vary in size and colour depending on the location. He recently sent me some more photos of a young Hollow Grasshopper and I thank Vinu for allowing me to use his photos which are shown with permission below. Mansur Al Fahad identified the Grasshopper for me as his knowledge is amazing.

Ortolan Buntings in Dhahran – Bird records by Paul Wells

Whilst on the old golf course in Dhahran Paul Wells came across and photographed a small group of Ortolan Buntings. This species in an uncommon passage migrant throughout Saudi Arabia but is seen in good numbers in some years particularly on the Red Sea coast. Most birds pass from March until mid-May and again from late August to early October and can often be seen in small groups rather than singly. Birds are equally as likely to be seen feeding on the ground, as they are perched in trees, where they normally occur if frightened from their feeding area. I thank Paul for allowing me to use his photos on my website which are reproduced with permission below.

Western pygmy Blue in Dhahran – Record by Vinu Mathew

Vinu Mathew found and photographed a Western Pygmy Blue Brephidium exile, the smallest butterfly in the USA, and one that entered Saudi Arabia more than 20 years ago in the Dharan area. The wings are copper brown, marked with dull blue on the upper-sides, and flecked with white on the underside of the hindwings. The wings are also fringed with white, and there is a row of black spots on both the outer margin and near to the base. In the USA they are on the wing between May and November. A weak flier, the western pygmy blue flies close to the ground, and is restricted by its short proboscis to collect the nectar from small flowers. I thank Vinu for sending me the details and photos and for allowing me to use them on my website. Mansur Al Fahd identified the species of butterfly and Vinu also came to the same conclusion after sending them to me.

Little Crake at Al Kobar Corniche - Record by Arnold Uy

Whilst at Al Khobar Cornice Arnold saw and photographed a juvenile Little Crake feeding out in the open, possibly the same bird as seen by Mark see previous post). Birds occur during autumn migration from September to October with a peak in October so this bird fits in well with the records. I thank Arnold for sending me the details of his sighting and allowing me to use his photos on my website which are shown below.

Hollow Grasshopper in Dhahran – Record by Vinu Mathew

Vinu Mathew took some excellent photos of Hollow Grasshopper Pygomorpha conica in Dhahran recently. The Hollow Grashopper is found where grass grows in wadis, farms and gardens and is widespread and generally numerous. The grasshoppers vary in size and colour depending on the location. I thank Vinu for sending me the details of the Grasshopper and allowing me to use his photos which are shown below.