Identification features for Crested Honey Buzzard include 6 dark tipped primaries (highlighted by Dirk Collin), lack of carpal patches and pale throat with moustachial stripes - all of which can be seen clearly in the images. I have lightened my images to show the features, as I was shooting into the light while the bird was flying. This species has been recorded in the past, but it has been some years since it was last recorded in Kuwait - but as in our case, could also have been overlooked.

Abdulrahman, Pekka and I were afforded access back into the Pivot Fields and I chose to spend the time trying to photograph the 3 Sociable Plovers that were still present. Pekka managed to find 5th record of Stock Dove, but it didnt stay long.

Spanish Sparrows are again present in large flocks in most locations

Pekka and I left for Al Abraq to see if we could photograph Hume's Leaf Warbler found earlier in the week by the Belgian birding group. We heard and saw the bird, but photographing it proved impossible. Instead we found an exciting record of Crested Honey Buzzard (6 black tipped primaries and U shaped white rump was seen in flight), Initially we thought this was a regular Honey Buzzard, but Dirk Collin pointed out the 6 primaries as one of the diagnostic features of Crested Honey Buzzard

There were many Song Thrush present

A single Dark throated Thrush was still present, which I was eventually able to photograph although not in ideal light.

This was my last day birding for 2009 after returning from my summer vacation in South Africa. The winter temperatures were still pleasantly mild. Images by Mike Pope

I started at Jahra East Outfall where Water Rails and Little Crakes were present in good numbers. Water Rail would be a new bird for me in Kuwait and I counted up to 5 individuals

Little Crakes were more abundant than the Rails, in varyings stages of adult plumage

Water Rail and Little Crake feeding together

Moorhens were seen feeding along outfall

The few passerines present were seen and photographed with a little patience, including Graceful Prinia which I havent photographed for sometime

Clamorous Reed Warblers were seen foraging through the reed bed

Moustached Warblers are still present, but are a challenge to photograph

This Robin really looks out of place when it is away from the snow in Europe

Next stop was Jahra Farm to photograph the two Woodlarks found earlier in the month by Rashed, this being a new species for me

I then headed to Sulaibikhat Bay, even though it was still low tide. At the outfall I photograhed Black headed Gull

An adult Gull billed Tern

And winter plumage Whiskered Tern

On the banks of the outfall Western Reef Heron and Little Egret were catching large crickets coming out of the outfall

A Marsh Harrier came swooping in low over the roosting Gulls and Waders and put them all up in panic. It was unsuccessful in its attempt to get an early breakfast

Part of the flock of mostly Black headed Gulls, escaping the hunting Harrier

Later in the afternoon I received a call from Pekka saying that Abdulrahman had found 3 Sociable Plovers at Pivot Fields. He had also arranged access for a very short period to see the birds, which we did. Unfortunately conditions were not right for photography, however I was able to photograph 2 of the 5 Golden Plovers that were present again this December