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12/02/08

South Africa (ZA)   Early winter birding  -  Categories: Photographs  -  @ 10:07:51 am

Week 49 - 29 November 2008, Jahra East Outfall, SAANR and Jahra Farm

This was my last weekends birding for 2008 before I migrate south for the December vacation. I hadnt visited Jahra East and SAANR for sometime, but had to forego the Al Abraq hotspot as a result. Images by Mike Pope

7am at JEO with the temp at 12 degrees, we have mist coming off the outflow due to the temperature differential. The quieteness, while it lasted created a feeling of solitude and peace, enjoyed too by these Moorhens

Moorhen

Sadly and as is too often the case in general for JEO, this tranquilness didnt last long. This group of hunters arrived in their 4x4 and blasted at everything within range of their shotguns. The sad saga of the ongoing killing of migratory birds, where I as a birder and conservationist dont have any authority to do intervene, other than record what is happening. This, in a location where hunting is actually illegal

Illegal hunting

To the victor, the spoils

What is the point?

Walking as quietly as possbile in between shotgun blasts I came across this Little Crake trying to be as unobtrusive as possible

Little Crake

A Water Pipit warming up in the first rays of the morning sun

Water Pipit

Bluethroats were pretty vocal and calling from the top of the reeds before disappearing into the depths

Bluethroat

I saw up to 3 Moustached Warblers, but as most would no a Warbler very seldom poses for a picture and they are generally difficult to photograph

Moustached Warbler

As it warmed up the Greater Spotted Eagle took to the skies

Greater Spotted Eagle

I found a single Citrine Wagtail in amongst the Water Pipits and White Wagtails

Citrine Wagtail

A few Pallid Swifts arrived and were hawking above the reeds

Pallid Swifyt

I was surprised to find a small flock of Penduline Tits gleening along the reedbed

Penduline Tit

A Pied Kingfisher patiently waiting for an opportunity

Pied Kingfisher

The hunters were continuing their obliteration of passerines, this was too depresing to be around, so I headed for the sancity of SAANR. I managed to see 6 species of Wheatear in an hour including this Mouring Wheatear in typical wadi habitat

Mourning Wheatear

I came across a few scattered flocks of Skylarks around the reserve

Skylark

11/19/08

South Africa (ZA)   A big day at Al Abraq  -  Categories: Photographs  -  @ 08:33:50 am

Week 46 - 15 November 2008, Al Abraq

Some good birds were seen earlier this week at Al Abraq, so it was a natural choice to visit on Saturday. Images by Mike Pope

Birding is generally very quiet at 7am at the oasis, but I did find the small flock of Penduline Tits which have remained for a good few weeks

Penduline Tit

A bird that really looked out of place was this Cormorant in a flooded pool below the main reservoire

Cormorant

Whilst waiting for it to warm up a little, I drove to the eastern boundary of the farm and came across a Deser Wheatear sheltering from the cool wind

Desert Wheatear

Both Black and Common Redstarts were seen, the Common being a more obliging photographic subject

Common Redstart

There was a flock of 18+ Corn Buntings feeding in the newly created crop areas

Corn Bunting

The main reason for my visit today was to try and find the Redwing and Dark throated Thrush, I was successful seeing the Thrush, but had no luck photographing the bird. What I didnt expect to see was a Ring Ouzel which made a quick appearance for a drink and then disappeared. Not a great image as I didnt have a chance to up the ISO speed for shooting into the shade

Ring Ouzel

An even more unexpeceted surprise was the 6th record of Oriental Turtle Dove coming in for a drink where I had seen the Ring Ouzel. The bird was first seen by Abdulrahman on 1 November 08 and subsequently seen by Rashed and Pekka. More amazing is that it has survived this long without being shot, as Turtle Doves are one of the main target birds of Kuwaiti and other Mediterranean hunters during migration. Again not a great image shooting into the shade

Oriental Turtle Dove

Oriental Turtle Dove

11/18/08

South Africa (ZA)   A gluttony of Gulls on the Gulf  -  Categories: Photographs  -  @ 01:47:03 pm

Week 45 - 06 November 2008, Arabian Gulf

I had an hour available whilst my son was at a birthday party and found a large mixed flock of roosting gulls at low tide near the northern end of Gulf Road. Images by Mike Pope

Armenian Gull - round headed, short blunt tipped bill and dark iris

Armenian Gull

Caspian Gull with pale upperparts

Caspian Gull

Lesser black backed Gull (Heuglin) with dark blue grey upperparts

Heuglin Gull

Lesser black backed Gull (Heuglin) with dark blue grey upperparts shown in flight

Heuglin Gull - female?

We think this may be a pale Steppe (barabesis) type Gull

Taimyrensis type Gull

The following show gulls together for comparison - Lesser black backed and Caspian Gull

Lesser black backed and Caspian Gull

Lesser black backed and possible Steppe Gull

Lesser black backed and Steppe Gull

The following show gulls together for comparison - Lesser black backed and we think a pale eyed Armenian Gull

Lesser black backed and Taimyrensis type Gull

Lesser black backed and unidentified Gull

Lesser black backed and another?

Lesser black backed and Armenian Gull

Lesser black backed and Armenian Gull

A single Oystercatcher was present amongst the gulls

Oystercatcher

A dark phase Western Reef Heron on a fly by

Western Reef Heron

A pale phase Western Reef Heron also put in an appearance

Western Reef Heron

11/06/08

South Africa (ZA)   First day out with EOS 50D  -  Categories: Photographs  -  @ 10:38:13 am

Week 44 - 01 November 2008, Al Abraq

Earlier this week I had received the Canon EOS 50D, replacing my trusted EOS 20D so was itching to try it out. Al Abraq was a natural choice, as Rick and Pekka had found Penduline Tit and Dead Sea Sparrow a few days before. Images by Mike Pope

Al Abraq is a private oasis farm almost on the western boundary of Kuwait. Once you turn off into the desert, the farm slowly appears in the distance

Al Abraq

Just before the farm, I came across a lone herder which was a timeless photographic opportunity

Herder

Once at the farm, I headed straight to the patch of elephant grass (we think that is what it is) and found the enigmatic Dead Sea Sparrows fairly quickly. I lifted my new baby to take the first pics and the camera had frozen - nothing! Panic ensured momentarily, I swapped the batteries around in the grip and it has been fine since. There were 3 in the flock and are really smart little birds

Male Dead Sea Sparrow


Male and Female Dead Sea Sparrow

A female Spanish Sparrow flew in to feed with the 3 Dead Sea Sparrows and the size difference was immediately noticeable

Female Spanish Sparrow

I couldnt relocate the Penduline Tits (perhaps it was still too early), so walked around the farm and found that Red breasted Flycatchers were still present, at least 5 birds were seen

Red breasted Flycatchers

Stonechats were still present

Stonechat

A dark phase Steppe Buzzard flew over scattering many birds below

Steppe Buzzard

Water Pipits had arrived in numbers were seen feeding in some of the crop patches

Water Pipit

Before I left later in the morning with it having warmed up, I went back to the elephant grass patch and found Abdulrahman with his awesome kit at the sparrow spot, only to discover that the Tits were feeding in the patch

Abdulrahman al Sirhan

There was a mixed group of 5 Penduline Tits (nothing like those we have in South Africa). However they proved to be in tricky lighting conditions - small light bird in dark green surrounds and bright sunlight. The camera handled the conditions well, in my opinion.

Male Penduline Tit


Male Penduline Tit


Juvenile/Feale Penduline Tit

South Africa (ZA)   Quiet day at Al Abraq  -  Categories: Photographs  -  @ 07:57:27 am

Week 42 - 18 October 2008, Al Abraq and Jahra Farm

I decided to head out west today to check what may have stopped over from the previous day. Images by Mike Pope

Early winter mornings are not the most productive at this oasis farm, but you do tend to find raptors that roosted for the night. This pale phase Booted Eagle was one of the raptors I saw on this visit.

Booted Eagle

All 3 of the Sparrowhawks I saw were juvenile/1st winter birds

Sparrowhawk

Early winter brings in Red breasted Flycatchers and this morning I had up to 5 different birds around the farm. They are challenging but rewarding photographic subjects.

Red breasted Flycatcher


Red breasted Flycatcher

This Stonechat followed the workers as they were harvesting some of the crops

Stonechat


Stonechat

A few Tree Pipits were seen feeding in some of the crop patches

Tree Pipit

Yellow Wagtail numbers have decreased dramatically at the tail end of migration

Yellow Wagtail

The Yellows have now been replaced by White Wagtails that over winter in Kuwait

White Wagtail

On my way across the desert, I came across this small, but very fast Snake like Lizard

Snake like Lizard

Next stop was Jahra Farm, no sign of the Indian Roller but I did see this Squacco Heron pounce onto this large cricket

Squacco Heron

At Sulaibikhat, the tide was too far out for any birding. I was entertained watching Mud Skippers have territorial battles over their little pactch of mud

Mud Skippers

11/02/08

South Africa (ZA)   Al Abraq Rarity  -  Categories: Rarities  -  @ 06:56:04 pm

Week 40 - 03 October 2008, Al Abraq

Rick was out at Al Abraq and got onto a Kuwait rarity. Images by Rick Saval

Rick found a photographed a Yellow browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) which is now considered a full species. Thanks to Tero Toivanen, Brian Foster and George Gregory for pointing out the correct ID of this bird, which was initially thought to be a Two barred Greenish Warbler.

Yellow browed Warbler

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