11/27/07
A plethora of Pipits -
Categories: Week 48, 24 November 07 - Jahra East Outfall
Brian Foster and I were out at Jahra East this morning to search for Buff-bellied Pipit. However, we had to sift through many Pipits before we eventually located it. Images by Mike Pope
Water Pipits were the most prevalent on the bermuda grass at Jahra East, enjoying the small pools left by the previous evenings high tide
In amongst all the Water Pipits, we found a few Meadow Pipits
A Red throated Pipit in partial summer plumage was seen
These images are thought to be of Red throated Pipit in winter plumage, if anyone has alternate suggestions I would be happy to hear from you
An easier bird to identify was this lone Starling that landed in the reedbed
Week 46 and 47, November 07 - Jahra East Outfall
Just when we thought birding was quietening down for winter, Rashed and Adbulrahman reported a host of superb records from Jahra East. Rashed is our eyes on the ground at JEO and he has found and photogrpahed some really good birds at this site over the past year. These records are all subject to final acceptance by KORC. Images by Rashed Al-Hajji and Abdulrahman Al Sirhan
On 15 November, Rashed found and photographed the 2nd record of Calandra Lark for Kuwait. Unfortunately the bird was not relocated on subsequent visits by those who missed it
On 18 November, Rashed found and photographed a Great Bittern, which is a fantastic record anywhere. Unfortunately the bird was also not relocated on subsequent visits by those who missed it
22 November was a big day with two fantastic records. The first was a Golden Plover found and photogrpahed by Rashed and this is the 1st record of this species for Kuwait. Unfortunately this bird was not relocated on subsequent visits by those who missed it
The second record today was found and photogrpahed by Abdulrahman and this was a Buff bellied Pipit, in amongst many Water and Meadow Pipits. This is the 2nd record of this species for Kuwait. The bird was subsequently seen again by Mike and Brian, but was too far for any further photographs
Week 46, 18 November 07 - Jahra Pools
A few Harriers were present and flying around Jahra Pools today. Image by Adbulmohsen Al Alsuraye
Abdulmosen photographed this Hen Harrier among other Harriers at Jahra Pool. Not a common passage bird through Kuwait and identified by the rounded wings with 5-fingers
11/18/07
Week 46, 17 November 07 - SAANR
I have my father-in-law visiting us, so showed him the solitude and sanctity of the SAANR. Images by Mike Pope
Birding was very subdued in the reserve today, but this Long legged Buzzard shows its classic underwing pattern in flight
This European Griffon was a long way off, but a first for me. I have added this image purely as a record shot
Week 46, 16 November 07 - SAANR
Pekka visited SAANR on Friday and found birding rather quiet
Pekka re-located the Red tailed Wheatear in the same wadi in the reserve
A Blackbird was amongst some of the European birds like Song Thrush and Robin that winter in Kuwait
11/12/07
Week 45, 10 November 07 - Pivot Fields and Sulaibikhat
Pekka visited Pivot Fields and I tried Sulaibikhat late on Saturday afternoon
Pekka found and photographed a False Cobra at the Pivot Fields. Snakes are relatively scarce in Kuwait, so this sighting did create some excitement
I tried Sulaibikhat late in the afternoon and was unsuccessful in locating the Long tail Shrike - early morning does seem the best time for this visitor. However, the number of Greater Flamingos in the Bay has increased with many juveniles present in the growing flock. Image by Mike Pope
Week 45, 09 November 07 - Doha East, Abdaly and SAANR
Pekka was on his own today and explored from the south to the north of the country. Images by Pekka Fagel
First stop was Doha East, where an albino Water Pipit was found in a group of 'normal' Pipits
Next on the itiniary was SAANR where Pekka located Mourning Wheatear
A Desert Wheatear was also seen near one of the wadi's
The long drive to Abdaly at the northern border was successful in terms of finding the Common Babblers for our visiting birders in December
Rarity at the Pivot Fields
It was the turn of the Pivot Fields to provide a rarity in November
A Spur winged Plover was found and photogrpahed by Abdulmoshen at the Pivot Fields on 9 November 2007. This represents the 7th record for Kuwait. Image by Abdulmoshen Alsuraye
11/05/07
Week 44, 03 November 07 - Sulaibikhat and Pivot Fields
Brian and Pekka visited Sulaibikhat and the Pivot Fields today and had some great birding. Images by Pekka Fagel
They were delighted to discover that last years 'lazy' Long tailed Shrike had opted for the short haul back to the sanctuary of Sulaibikhat Reserve for its second winter in a row. This will be really good news for the two groups of birders visiting Kuwait in December
Some time at the pivot fields after last weeks visit was essential, the Lapwing count had increased to 134, but the Wood Pigeons had decreased to 12
After much searching the Indian Roller was not relocated, but they did find a lone Roller
A flock of 29 White Storks were the first for this autumn.
Possibly the same juvenile Long legged Buzzard is still in the area due to the abundance of food in the fields
We reccored 50 Namaqua Doves as a new highest daily count around the fields
Week 44, 02 November 07 - Al Abraq
Brian and Pekka trekked out to the oasis at Al Abraq and found it very quiet today. It is a calculated risk we take for the long round trip drive, that often pays off as we know. Images by Pekka Fagel
The Red breasted Flycatchers have returned to most sites and are really graceful and dainty birds
