11/19/09
Another first for Kuwait -
Categories: Week 48 - 26 November 2009, Jahra Pools Reserve
On the 25th November we had a low pressure cell over Kuwait which over the Eid weekend brought in almost 70mm of rain during a 30-hour period. Ouda Al Bathali was at Jahra Pools Reserve and found a White tailed Eagle, a first for Kuwait Images by Simon Price
I passed the news onto Simon, who visited the reserve in inclement weather on the afternoon of 26 November and he managed to see and photograph the sub adult White tailed Eagle - a magnificent raptor. I was at the reserve on 27th and 29th but did not relocate the bird. However, it was seen yesterday again by Rick Saval closer to the coast, so that is good news.
Whilst at the pools, Simon also found a lone Tufted Duck, but this bird showing the white face at the base of the bill which is uncommon on the female Tufted Ducks
01/06/09
Week 01 - 01 January 2009, Al Abraq
Whilst out trying to photograph the 2nd record of Humes Leaf Warbler on the first day of the year, Pekka and I independently saw and photographed what we initially thought was a juvenile Honey Buzzard, as we only had very brief views of the bird when it flushed from where it was roosting. Images by Mike Pope and Pekka Fagel
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.
Pekka had more favourable lighting as the bird approached him and in this image the pale throat is more clearly seen
11/02/08
Week 40 - 03 October 2008, Al Abraq
Rick was out at Al Abraq and got onto a Kuwait rarity. Images by Rick Saval
Rick found a photographed a Yellow browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) which is now considered a full species. Thanks to Tero Toivanen, Brian Foster and George Gregory for pointing out the correct ID of this bird, which was initially thought to be a Two barred Greenish Warbler.
08/19/08
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
05/01/08
Week 18, 27 April 2008 - Jahra East Outfall
We have visiting group of French birders and with their experience have found and photographed a first for Kuwait, in the form of an Oriental Pratincole (Glareola maldivarum). Digi-scoped Images by Pierre Crochette
The bird was seen with a flock of Collared Pratincoles, which gave the oppurtunity to compare and verify the differences between the two species. Oriental was separated from Collared by: shorter tail, shorter bill with thicker base and less red to the base than Collared, noticealbly shorter legs and lack of white trailing edge in flight
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