09/07/09
Autumn Migration -
Categories: Week 34 - 22 August 2009, SAANR, Jahra Farms and JEO
Although still pretty hot with some wind, it is the time to start monitoring the autumn passage of migrants. Images by Mike Pope
I was able to arrange access to SAANR and was at the gate by 6am. Sometimes early is not good as often birds only start moving later in the morning when it heats up. I checked the wadi's for wheatears, no luck but quite liked this desert scene
From the wadi I moved on to Tuhla. This morning there was a lone and out of place Moorhen feeding around the fringes
Plus a skulking juvenile Baillon's Crake that with patience fed out in the open
Hoopoes are now seen all over Kuwait and always impress when they flare their crests
First winter Yellow Wagtails have started to arrive in small numbers
A Barred Warbler gleening through the acacia tree
On the way out I inadvertently flushed a Bar tail Lark that was resting in a little bit of shade from a concrete block. As it ran away from me, you realise just how crytpic they are against the stony desert
Next stop was Jahra Farms where I found a large mixed gathering of adult and juvenile Bank Mynas - another successful breeding season for this species
A juvenile Bank Myna coming to quench its thirst on a sweltering morning
At the holding pond a few warblers came in to drink, the first was Olivaceous
Followed by an a 1cy Great Reed Warbler - note the immaculately fresh remiges and warm tones to whole plumage and the very dark eye
Then a 2cy+ Great Reed Warbler. Note the typical moult - replaced head, nape and mantle, while rest of plumage including remiges very worn and bleached and the eye which is paler than 1cy bird
Last stop was JEO at midday where I found a small group of Turnstones
I managed to see the first winter Caspian Plover which has been at JEO for sometime
