Two Pied Kingfisher - Jubail

On 22 December I saw two Pied Kingfishers together feeding over a large man made concrete sided stream. The birds I photographed is a female as it only has a single breast band whereas males have two bands, although the second lower band is very thin compared to the much thicker upper band. The nominate subspecies C. r. rudis that occurs from central and southern Turkey and Israel to Syria, Iraq and southwest Iran as well as northern Egypt, Nile Valley and sub-Saharan Africa is the subspecies present in Jubail. These are told by their distinctive medium-size and black and white plumage lacking any black spots on the flanks and side of the throat which is shown by the two other nearby subspecies that are also blacker in plumage tones. Pied Kingfishers generally use small and large lakes, large rivers, estuaries, coastal lagoons, mangroves and sandy and rocky coasts and require waterside perches such as trees, reeds, fences and posts. They eat predominantly fish and regularly hover particularly so in windy conditions. Birds fly low over the water with steady wing beats and then rise 2–10 metres in the air, with body held nearly vertical, bill held down and wings beating rapidly; they then dive down into the water and if successful swallow prey on the wing without beating on branch or something similar. Most records from the Eastern Province have been females although occasional males are also recorded.

Plenty of birds – Dhahran Waste Water Lake

There have been a good number of Northern Shoveler in Dhahran with well over thirty birds present flying between the Percolation Pond and Dhahran Waste Water Lake. The Waste Water Lake has still the two Tufted Ducks from a couple of months ago and they have been joined by another female making three in total. A few Grey Heron, One Black-crowned Night Heron, two Western Great Egrets and several Squacco Heron are still around. A few more birds are now around the scrubby areas at the edge of the lake including Daurian Shrike, White-eared Bulbul, Graceful Prinia, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff and Eurasian Hoopoe.

Common Chiffchaff

Common Chiffchaff

Eurasian Hoopoe

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron

Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck

White-eared Bulbul

Western Barn Owl – Dhahran Waste Water Lake

Whilst birdwatching the Waste Water Lake in Dhahran on 23 December 2023, I saw a Western Barn Owl siting on the ground near a small pool of water. Luckily as I came around a large bush I saw the bird, before it saw me, and although I was only a few metres from the bird I got a few photos before it took off and flew into the reeds. The photos are all full frame as I could not move back to get better composition before the bird flew. This is a new species for me on my ‘patch’ although Phil has seen one before at the Hobby Farm before I arrived in Saudi Arabia. Western Barn Owl has a very large range and is widespread across the Americas, Africa, Europe, India, Southeast Asia and Australasia. In Saudi Arabian it is an uncommon breeding resident but a species that is seldom seen. It occurs widely throughout the Saudi Arabia mainly near villages with adjacent crops or rough areas, including large towns with suitable hunting areas. I have seen the species previously in Saudi Arabia but not in the Eastern Province where I live although records have occurred in the last few years in the Al Hassa area.

Blue-spotted Arab - Dhahran Waste Water Lake

Whilst birdwatching the Waste Water Lake in Dharhan in December, I came across a Blue-spotted Arab Colotis phisis. The Blue-spotted Arab is a small butterfly occurring from Africa to India. They favour arid regions and many butterflies of the same and different Coltis species may fly in the same place. The upper-side of the males forewing has a pale salmon-pink ground color. Base arrogated with bluish-grey scales that extend outwards and a black spot on the underside of the forewing. Back wings much paler, and light or no spot. Clubbed antennae. Rolled up proboscis. Wingspan 20mm. They breed during through the warmer parts of the year with the female laying several eggs that are bottle shaped with ribs down the sides and are generally white but turn pale blue. Pupae stage last several days. When adult emerges it takes a few minutes to harden the veins in the wings. The larva feeds on Salvadora persica (toothbrush bush). 

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.

 

Two Crested Honey Buzzard wintering - Dhahran Hills

In late December I managed to photograph a Crested Honey Buzzard, although another bird was also present that I did not manage to get any good photos of. These birds have been around since mid-September in Dhahran a location where they have spent the last ten years at least wintering. It is not certain if the birds now stay all summer as well, but summer records are becoming more common. The status, of Crested Honey Buzzard in Saudi Arabia is a scarce passage migrant and winter visitor that also occurs rarely in summer. Most records are from the Eastern province in winter and spring with additional records in the west of the country throughout the year, a location where they may well now be breeding.

Arabian Red Fox – Dhahran Waste Water Lake

When out walking in the early morning at the edge of Dhahran Hills Waste-Water Lake I came across three Arabian Red Fox close to the dried-up edge of the lake. I have seen them in this area previously but they seldom let you close. This one was no exception and as soon as it saw me it moved off into the cover and stopped for a while to make sure I was not a treat before running off. I only managed a couple of photos, but quite like the one below. They are relatively common in Dhahran and mostly seen in the early morning or late evening.

Pallid Scops Owl still alive - Al Uqair

Whilst birding the Al Uqair area 10 November 2023 Phil Roberts and I found a Pallid Scops Owl trapped in an illegal mist net. Luckily the bird was still alive although very badly entangled so Phil cut the bird free with his knife whilst I held the bird and then we released the bird in a tree. It quickly opened its eyes and jumped onto the ground and ran and hid under some low vegetation. I was confident it would survive so when we returned to the location on 29 December, we looked for the owl. Amazingly I found it in the same tree we had released it seven weeks previously. We took a lot of photos of the bird and watched it for some time before leaving it in peace. Hopefully I can find it again the next time I visit as it appears to be wintering on the area. This species is an extremely rare breeding resident and rare winter visitor to Saudi Arabia, although may be more common than thought due to its magnificent camouflage. They are regularly recorded during the winter at Yanbu’ and possibly overwinters in Saudi Arabia more widely than is realized. There is a small breeding population in southwestern Saudi Arabia where birds have been heard calling as well as in the northwest of the Kingdom.