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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stonechats were still present

A dark phase Steppe Buzzard flew over scattering many birds below

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

The Yellows have now been replaced by White Wagtails that over winter in Kuwait

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

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

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.