06/15/09
Its heating up out there -
Categories: Week 25 - 12 June 2009, Pivot Fields, Jahra East Outfall, Jahra Farm and Sulaibikhat Bay
Even with an early start you dont escape the summer heat, but birders will attest that given the opportunity they will be out in any weather conditions - as you never know what you may encounter or learn. Images by Mike Pope
Despite the greenery, water and food supply even the Pivot Fields lacked diversity. Although during summer, it appears that all the House Sparrows in Kuwait congregate at this site. As I said earlier, you never know what you may encounter and today was a flock of 5 very skittish Red wattled Lapwings which kept the rising heat haze between my camera and the flock. Dhubs (Spiny tailed Lizards) were much more abundant
This unidentified sparrow sized bat was forced to vacate its roost to quench its thirst swallow style at the crocodile pond. It was successful 3 times in drinking on the wing, but the 4th time mistimed its approach and hit the water. It frantically used its wings to get itself to safety but immediately attracted the interest of one of the crocodiles who felt the vibrations through the water - fortunately the bat got to the edge in time, not that it would have been much of a meal.
By the time I got to JEO it was already too hot for productive birding. I did encounter an adult and juvenile Cream coloured Courser. Mixed flocks of adult and juvenile Coursers are being seen at most sites the past few weeks
I was quite surprised to find this single European Bee-eater
A tired looking White winged Black Tern also flew by
In the heat of the day, I discovered a breeding female Kentish Plover at Sulaibikhat. I was amazed that such a small bird had an open scrape of a nest completely exposed to the harsh summer elements. This image gives you an idea of the habitat
I watched as it alternated between sitting on its single egg
and standing over the egg just providing shade and using its feet to move the egg. Every so often it disappeared to the water edge to soak its belly feathers that obviously provided some additional cooling
I was able to photograph the single egg when the bird departed to the waters edge and was surprised at its size in comparison to the size of the bird itself. At this stage the outside temperature measured 48 degrees - isnt nature just amazing that even in the harshest of conditions, life cycles continue
On the way home, I found a large mixed flock of Cream coloured Coursers on the beach at Sulaibikhat Bay, most of the birds had taken advantage of whatever shade they could find to shelter themselves from the heat of the midday sun
