Birds of Bahrain - Archives for: August 2016

Archives for: August 2016

2016-08-28

A great weekend - migration return wait over

14:36:58, Categories: Observation by Howard

It started as just another hot and humid late August morning but by the time I had returned home on Friday I knew that it had been a rather special day. It wasn't so much that I had seen a good number of returning species it was the fact that I had been able to get some reasonable photographs of species I had not expected so early on in the season. Then there was Saturday had an meeting on Hawar with potential developers, can say openly and honestly I gave them a hard time. I most certainly left them with food for thought. However what made the day worthwhile was our return encounter with a sizeable Socotra Cormorant fishing party there were 10 of thousands moving along the shore close to Durat as we got nearly home. Sadly the camera played up misting lens and lack of space on the dicc didn't help but I did manage a few decent shots.

Egyptian Nightjar - the last time I encountered one in the day time I didn't have my camera so this was a joy to take

Bee-eater one of many seen

Citrine Wagtail a real surprise

Yellow Wagtail a good number around

Yellow Wagtail

Cream-coloured Courser a regular August species from post-breeding dispersal in Arabia major

Cream-coloured Courser

Isabelline Wheatear always one of the first back to take up winter residence - many seen

Isabelline Wheatear

Green Sandpiper and with a couple of Pratincole's in the frame

Green Sandpiper one singled out

Juvenile Pratincole

Roller finishing a meal
Roller

Ruff few seen of what I assume to be several family parties
Ruff

Ruff

Rufous Bushchat nice to see one of many summer breeding visitors

Socotra Cormorant

a tiny franction of the fishing foray more images to come
Socotra cormorants

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2016-08-21

Weather still extreme at 40c'+ with very high humidity

15:12:42, Categories: Observation by Howard

August is a month when staying at home is the best option but after an enforced layoff of a couple of weeks one has to get out - the shoreline is full of waders as more pile in to fatten up before moving on. Along with our summer breeding species any trip out can be special even spectacular.

This weekend I spent Friday on the Muharraq shore and on Saturday took a boat trip around the entire Island with friends starting and finishing at Durat - a journey that took 5 hours and covered nearly 200kms Hotter than hell but amazing to do!

Pictures this week in no particular order and not all species pointed outwher numerous are seen

Bridled Tern one of many seen on our boat trip