08/28/08
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Categories: Week 35, 2008 - Pivot Fields
I wasnt happy with my original images of this mega (for me) bird, so made a return visit to the Pivot Fields after work. Pekka had seen two birds earlier in the week, but on this visit I only located one. Im know my indulgence with these images, will be understood by south african birders. For the first time, sadly, there was also a hunter inside the Pivot Fields. Images by Mike Pope
The Bittern is a skulking, very deliberate and slow moving bird, which is what makes it challenging to see - nevermind photograph! Once I located the bird, I sat quietly and it slowly changed from sky pointing to walking very slowly along a drainage line. I was fortunate enough to capture this sequence of photographs of it successfully catching some unfortunate insect - this was the setup
Impact
Got you
Down the hatch
08/24/08
Week 34, 23 August 2008 - Pivot Fields and SAANR
Abdulrahman al Sirhan had found a Bittern at Pivot Fields two days ago, so it was with excitement and trepidation that I headed to this site with Pekka Fagel and Rick Saval. Images by Mike Pope
Bittern has been on my South African wish list since I started birding and on arrival met up with some local birders (Abdulmoshen and another birder) who were already onto the bird in the field. The dilemma was binny's or camera first. This time it was binny's to soak it in and by the time I got my camera onto out it was starting to become invisible - even in the green grass. These are not the best images, but will do for my memories. Hopefully it will stay in this un-hunted habitat and present more photographic opportunities next weekend
Starting to skulk
Departing to another pool
After the elation, I looked around the small depression and found a single Glossy Ibis in the same area, together with many Squacco Herons
The flock of 20+ Gargeney from last week were now down to 6
I caught this Ruff coming in to land
An adult and juvenile Purple Heron that were previously roosting in the reeds at the crocodile pond
I was lucky enough to catch this Hoopoe in its erratic flight
During the morning we had an influx of Harriers chasing up all the birds everytime they passed overhead. This I believe, is a first year Montagu Harrier
After the excitement of Pivot Fields, it was out to SAANR where we checked a new pool that had been constructed on the sea side of the reserve. As it was new, not much was taking advantage of this new water source, although this Isabelline Wheatear seemed to enjoy having the pond to itself
We headed back to Tuhla and I watched the antics of a Bluethroat jumping from the ground to gleen insects off the leaves of this shrub
This is the first time I have seen Barn Swallows roosting inside the canopy to escape the midday heat
Crested Larks were sitting in scrapes to mimimise their size (I think) and help them stay cooler
Olivaceous Warblers are still present at Tuhla
A first winter Lesser Grey Shrike (showing spotted forehead) trying not to expend any energy
A magnificent male Montagu Harrier - from above
And showing its characteristic underwing pattern
We stopped on the way out of SAANR where Khaled al Nasrallah had found this recently killed Black Vulture - presumably a road kill. The question was - where has it come from at this time of year?
Week 34, 22 August 2008 - Al Abraq to Jahra East Outfall
As the end of August approaches, it was time to head west to Al Abraq to see if this oasis farm had anything of interest together with Pekka Fagel and Rick Saval. Images by Mike Pope
The long road to Al Abraq that seems to go on forever
First year Black headed Buntings had arrived in small numbers
A very dark Black-eared Kite (Milvus lineatus) showing a dark mask behind the eye, near the water seep
An adult Roller catching the early morning sun
This first winter male Stonechat (race maura) was our first for the autumn
Birding wasnt too frenetic, so it was off to Jahra Farms where the bird of the month - Eastern Bonelli's Warbler is still present
A Marsh Warbler was present in the same area
Northern Wheatears have been arriving in this week at most locations, this is a fine male
Roseringed Parakeets are guarenteed at Jahra Farms and they seem to successfully colonise wherever they are given an opportunity
On the way to Doha Spit, we stopped at a small pond where I saw my second Citrine Wagtail for the day
My last stop was Jahra East, but with the tide still a long way out there wasnt much around - this Little Stint still in full summer plumage
This Little ringed Plover was using its feet to stir up food below the water surface
A first year Yellow Wagtail (spp beema)which could be confused with first year Citrine Wagtails
A small pond on the way out of Jahra East had many mud skippers, this one was just about to disappear into its hole/burrow
Week 34, 21 August 2008 - Sharq Harbour
I had noticed a few large gulls around the harbour earlier in the week, so got to the harbour very early before work to shoot a few photographs.Images by Mike Pope
The biggest gulls were Caspian (Steppe)Gull (L [cachinnans] barabensis)in various plumages
My first Black headed Gull of the autumn
The Slender bill Gulls remain in Kuwait through the summer
There were numerous terns amongst the gulls, the most common were White cheeked Tern
A single Lesser crested Tern didnt stay long
This tatty looking Sandwich Tern had a broken lower mandible and probably hadnt eaten too well
A single Common Tern was also present for a short time
08/19/08
Week 33, 16 August 2008 - SAANR and Jahra Farms
I had been away on business and literally dropped my suitcase at home, picked up my birding gear and headed out as the sun was coming up. It was one of those perfect days with clear skies and no wind.Images by Mike Pope
Jal az-Zor ridge is on the southern boundary of SAANR and has an elevation of around 250m
Early morning at Tuhla is not as productive as it is later in the morning when the temperatures have risen, nevertheless some passerine migrants were present, including this Whitethroat
And Olivaceous Warbler
The White chested Kingfisher has now been present for a few weeks
A Roller dropped in for a drink
My first Black Kite for the autumn. In South Africa this species is still called Yellow billed Kite
By 10am I was at Jahra Farms intensively searching for the Eastern Bonelli's Warbler which was flitting from cover to the water in tricky photographic conditions. With patience, I was able to get some acceptable images
This bird was first thought to be a Icterine Warbler, but on closer scrutiny and discussion with Pekka it is in fact a very yellow Willow Warbler
The first Grey Wagtail for the autumn
And a first year White throated Robin
Week 33, 12 August 2008 - Jahra Farms
Whilst I was away on business I received the exciting news of an Eastern Bonelli's Warbler (Phylloscopus orientalis)found by Pekka Fagel at Jahra Farms. Images by Mike Pope
This is my photograph of the same bird taken on 16 August 2008 where it had been present in the same location for 4-days
08/18/08
Week 32, 08 August 2008 - Pivot Fields, SAANR and Sulaibikhat
I had a 10-day break for a vacation in SA, hence the lull in updates (check the World Birds Tab for images from this trip). This was a quick morning outing before departing on a business trip. Images by Mike Pope
First stop was the Pivot Fields where I found the Black winged Kite seen earlier in the week by Rick Saval. It was a little skittish and this is the only image I was able to get of the bird
The Hoopoe numbers have increased since getting back from my vacation
I narrowly avoided turning this juvenile toad/frog into smudge in the sand
Clouded Yellow butterflies have become abundant in the last week
By the time I got to SAANR it had warmed up considerably, I found this Hoopoe Lark reluctant to leave its shady spot
A Short toed Lark with a Crested Lark for comparison
Jahra East Outfall was very quiet, especially with the tide being so far out, I did find this Sand Martin in a little shade in the reeds
I missed the high tide at Sulaibikhat, but found this juvenile Gull billed Tern over the outfall
A Whiskered Tern changing to eclipse plumage
